“I Can’t Live Without This Class” at Lake Forest Country Day
— Overture Games•Lead Teacher: Jeremy Weinstein
“I Can’t Live Without This Class”
Lake Forest Country Day School · Fall 2025 · Overture Games
October 16, 2025 started with a mystery box.
Excellent class today,” Jeremy Weinstein wrote afterward. “They were very excited and curious about the mystery box.
Before he even got through the video, students were already thinking ahead.
We are already gonna sign up for the next one, can we start now?
That question came before Chromebooks were even out.
The class spent a long stretch talking through instrument families. Jeremy noted that students were so engaged they didn’t ask for devices until after the first round of Rocket Race. When they finally transitioned, there was a quick reminder about respecting the devices and asking before helping.
It landed.
Other comments stuck with him too.
I told all my friends to sign up for the next one.
I can’t live without this class.
Jeremy wrote that he took those as they were.
October 9, 2025
One week earlier, Jeremy had written simply:
Today was SO FUN!
The class started with conversation. What instruments students played. What music they liked. How certain sounds made them feel. That discussion flowed straight into Rocket Race.
They played two rounds. Then Harmonidome.
Hearing them chat about what made each track different was hilarious,” Jeremy wrote.
Piano Clicker turned into the highlight. Some students already knew songs and played them.
I rewarded them with MC for each song if it wasn’t an achievement,” he wrote.
Others wanted to learn.
I taught those who did not know a song but wanted to learn a 3-note version of Mary Had a Little Lamb and rewarded them for their efforts.
October 30, 2025
By late October, the class moved fast.
This group has a natural affinity for recognizing patterns in music as well as rhythm,” Jeremy wrote. “I had to move quickly through the first half of the activities so they didn’t lose interest.
Melopede Caves landed immediately.
Melopede Caves was a hit, as always,” he wrote.
Some levels were tricky. Students experimented with the tools. When a few got stuck, others stepped in to help while Jeremy assisted elsewhere.
Later in the same class, students made a choice. Two drifted toward other games. Three stayed in composer mode.
When I told them I can only award MC for compositions in Melopede Caves,” Jeremy wrote, “they swiftly went back.
November 14, 2025
The final class was smaller.
Small final class today,” Jeremy wrote. “I started with two students, and a third joined us about halfway through.
They played Rocket Race. Watched instrument videos. Took turns at the board playing Tuna.
One student has an EXCELLENT ear and could consistently get through each level,” Jeremy wrote. “Another student has yet to master matching pitch but LOVED to help.
Then came composition.
We learned about ABA form before diving into Melopede Composer,” he wrote. “I rewarded each composition that matched the form.
Jeremy gave them a challenge next.
I later gave them a challenge to use individual notes to write Twinkle Twinkle Little Star by ear.
He ended that reflection with a sentence that doesn’t need embellishment.
Lots of great focus and experimentation. This class will be missed!
What Parents Might Not See at Pickup
Across the fall, this class talked through music before touching devices. They moved on their feet. They debated what made tracks different. They rewarded each other’s progress. They asked what came next.
They learned rhythm, harmony, melody, form, and pitch. They also learned how to help, wait, refocus, and try again.
And sometimes, they said exactly how they felt.
I can’t live without this class.
Jeremy wrote it down.