Sharing Music in the Classroom as a Substitute Teacher

                                                                         

When you work as a substitute teacher, you have to be prepared for just about anything.  Be prepared----a good motto for so many things in Life, right?  Come prepared, then be prepared for any number of scenarios.  Working with a class of young children----right there you have a case for wanting to be as prepared as possible.  You know you can expect the unexpected.

When I'd walk into a classroom to be the substitute teacher for a day, one thing I always liked having with me was a song or two to share.  Singing has a way of mixing up the mood instantly.  It has a soothing effect.  Hearing the teacher start singing has a mesmerizing effect on the students.  It's a novelty that I could count on to get their attention, soften the mood, brighten the day.  And not just singing a song for the song's sake.  Singing their names, singing a transition instruction, singing a greeting or farewell.  Singing can "soothe the savage beast".  There's something about our singing voices that uplifts and calms.

I think of singing as something so utterly natural, something inherent in all of us.  We are fundamentally vibrational beings .  We have rhythm and sound in our bones.  I wish for every child and adult the freedom of singing without any self-doubt or self-consciousness and the pleasure of joining our voices in song together.

While the time and resources for Music Class may be disappearing from our schools, there will always be opportunities to sing in the classrooms, and ways to incorporate songs on any subject or theme.  Viva la Música!

Everything I Learned at a Kindergarten Graduation

                                                                             

It's that time of year when students of all ages are flying off, leaving the nest, heading on to bigger things.  As their Music Teacher, my students at Mistwood Montessori can count on singing some favorite songs at their end-of-year celebration.  Not at the actual graduation, which will take place several days later, but at the big culminating, relaxed, everyone's-invited-with-plenty-of-room-for-all, balloon-filled, potluck, park-setting, party!  Director, Patti, has arranged this event every year through many generations of families and staff.  It's become a beloved tradition of this Pre-K through K school.

Each time I do a special program with young children, I am impressed with how adaptable and go-with-the-flow they can be.  Here we were, gathered in a big circle, about 60 students in a setting most of them had never seen, much less "performed" in.  Their parents, siblings, teachers, extended families and assorted others were gathered behind and all around them to witness---and hopefully join in----the singing and signing of songs we'd been working on.  I had prepared them for what to expect, which makes a difference, but this would be the first and only time we'd actually be there doing it.  They trusted, they followed directions, they took part, they remembered lyrics, melodies, signs (a lot, anyway!), they stood for the whole thing (12 minutes?), there was no fainting or whining (that I noticed), and the Program proceeded and was declared a Success.  I so admire and appreciate these children, and I know in my heart that they are all Shining Stars! 

What I've Learned from Life & from these Graduates, and What I Know for Sure:

1. Singing together is a Good Thing 
2. Singing is fun to Share with Others
3. Preparing is Part of the Fun
4. Trust Things to Go as Planned
5. It's OK if Everything Does Not Go as Planned
6. Go With the Flow
7. Know that You'll Be Fine
8. Expect Good Things to Happen Wherever You Find Yourself

                    Happy Graduation to all the Graduates 

                        and to All of Us Who Love Them!

Mom's Singing Influence

My 86 year-old mom has been recuperating from some health issues, and while spending time together, we've been remembering some family stories.  I told her (for the umpteenth time) she should write her memoirs, and that when she's gone, who will answer all my questions about our shared history?

Brings to mind a song I used to do about "carrying on...when you're gone.." and how "we'll sing your songs..."  I haven't found that one yet, but did come across another called "We'll Carry On" by William Elliott Whitmore.

My mom sang lullabies to us and she sang passionate Latin songs while washing the dishes.  I'll always be grateful to my mom for encouraging me to sing and to share my music and for buying my first guitar for me the year we lived in Argentina.

You think you're singing....Part I

You think you're singing---there's a melody, the words, some sort of pattern----However you look at it or think about it, that's singing. There you are, tapping into one of the very things that makes you human.

Children do this so naturally. I think even if they've never heard another soul singing, children will sing. One parent told me recently that her child is singing in sentences before she's actually talking.

And when you sing with your child, you're doing so much more than simply sustaining notes and sticking in words. You're communicating in vital, empowering, meaningful ways.

Libraries and shopping local

Big shout-outs to our local libraries and all the local businesses who make our lives easier and more enjoyable!!

I so appreciate all the independent stores who make our CDs available and make shopping such a pleasure.

And what a joy it is to visit the library! I love to read and I love to sing, and I get to do both at libraries. Watch for the next family music event there!

Visit the library often, and whenever possible shop local! :D