August 2012

  • An Interview with the Author of The Complete Idiots Guide to Conducting Music

    Chase: “All right everybody, this is Chase March. I am talking to the author of The Complete Idiots Guide to Conducting Music, Michael Miller. How’s it going, Michael?” Michael: “I’m doing fine, Chase. Good to be with you.” Chase: “You’ve written a good book. It’s something that a lot of music teachers could use, especially […]


  • Kelly Clarkson / The Fray in Toronto

    I was really enjoying the Kelly Clarkson show at the Molson Amphitheatre in Toronto last night. I had gotten a free ticket and I managed to score a pretty good seat. I was right at centre stage but I was near the back of the seating section. I tell ya, I sure picked a good […]


  • Teaching Tip – First day Grids

    Here is a great first day of school activity you can do with your class. I mentioned this activity in the First Day Script, which is a very detailed lesson plan for the first day of school. I’ve used this plan, or variations of it, successfully for several years. It is very important to have the […]


  • Practice vs Practise

    Here is a great quote from a legend in Canadian Hip-Hop. It’s from Maestro Fresh Wes and it’s about how you have to work at something to achieve success. Apart from this quote being inspirational, I’m highlighting this passage to illustrate the difference between the spelling of “practice” when used as a noun and “practise” […]


  • There’s a Mouse in the House

    I was woken up last night by a strange sound. It sounded as though metal was being scrunched, like someone was twisting an empty pop can. I listened very carefully for a few moments. The sound stopped. I lay still on my bed and looked at the clock. It was 2:30 a.m. The noise started […]


  • My Screwdriver is Sonic!

    I’ve wanted my own sonic screwdriver for some time now. When I saw this kit in the comic book store, it really called out to me. I could get three sonic screwdrivers for the price of one? And I can mix and match them to get a completely customizable unit with a functioning light and […]


  • Teaching Tip – Professional Development

    Welcome to Teaching Tip Tuesday! Every week I share with you a tip that I hope you will find useful in your teaching. You can visit the Teaching Tips Archive to see all of the tips in the order I have posted them over the years. Please check that page as I will continue to […]


  • Shriner’s Woodlot / Mount Carmel Running Tour

    I collect trails. I know that sounds weird but I don’t like running the same routes all the time. I want to find new trails to run, so whenever I find myself in a new city, if I have the time, I steal myself away for a trail run. This weekend I was in Niagara […]


  • Classified Autograph

    This concert was really good. Not only did I get to meet and hang out with one of the best rappers to ever come out of Canada, but I also got to interview him for the radio show and podcast. Classified put on an amazing show. If you ever get a chance to see him […]


  • Chasing Content – August 2008

    The console room from 2005–2010, first seen in “Rose” and last seen in “The Doctor’s Wife”. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) Let’s take a trip back in time. We don’t need any fancy equipment or even a TARDIS, all we need is the blog archive to explore what was happening here four years ago. Are you ready? […]