when to start piano lessons for children

Tis the season of deciding what activities, sports, and lessons will fill our summers and falls.  Often, I get asked what age a child should start taking piano lessons.  Age certainly has a lot to do with it, but there are some other things to factor in as well.  I thought it would be an appropriate time to list a few things that I believe help a student become successful right from the start with piano lessons.

AGE

Truly, age is not going to determine whether or not your child will become a master pianist.  I've seen some 6 year old kids flourish and some 6 year old kids that are totally uninterested and far too squirmy.  But I've seen the same with 9 year olds.  So, like I say, age is only part of it.  I started lessons when I was 7 and, as a general rule, I think that's a great age to start.  That would be my recommendation.

ABILITY TO READ

This is huge.  (To be clear, I'm not talking about "reading music."  I'm talking about "reading," as in "reading books.")  Sure, there are method books out there specifically designed for students who can't read but want to learn how to play the piano.  It's definitely possible.  But in my experience, it's better use of money and time to just wait the additional year or so it takes for your child to begin reading.  I've seen that my piano students are able to learn more and at a faster pace when they are already reading.  The ability to read is also a plus for the parents.  Piano books have instructions in them and when you have a child that can read, they are able to function on their own a bit more for practice time.

A DESIRE

No, your child will probably not wake up everyday excited to practice, but there needs to be some sort of drive behind why they're learning to play the piano.  Maybe they saw an older girl play the piano and sing, and they hope to be just like her.  Maybe they went to a concert, saw a guy play the piano, and got inspired.  Or maybe they just love spending time at the piano each day.  Whatever it is, you grab onto it.  There may be seasons where they lose this passion and beg for you to let them quit, but you press forward.  You trust that thing deep down in them that you saw at one point.  I pleaded for my mom to let me quit piano more times than I can count.  I ended up loving it and majoring in Music Education with a Piano Emphasis in college.  Now I enjoy playing in my church, writing songs, performing with my band, and teaching piano lessons.  So just because your child is crying tears of agony because they don't want to practice doesn't mean that desire isn't still there.  Sometimes you just need to help bring it out of them.

AFFIRMATION

So much of a child's success in piano lies in this very thing - parental affirmation.  A parent's desire to be involved and keep with it is just as important as the child's.  You need to be ready to stand firm by not letting them quit too easily or get swamped by other activities.  Parents must realize the lifelong purpose behind piano lessons so you can know in your own mind that it's worth it while also conveying that to your children.  They need your encouragement.

Along with various piano teaching methods, there are different teachers with different teaching styles.  For my personality and the way I prefer to teach, these are the things I think make piano lessons successful for a child.

As far as other instruments are concerned, these things are good to consider before starting any kind of music lessons.  However, different instruments do require different things from children.  In general, piano is a great starting point no matter what instrument your child hopes to focus on.  It provides such a wonderful base of music education.

I want to end with this:  I think ALL children can benefit from piano lessons.  I don't think you need to exhibit special skills and abilities in order to do well with it.  I've seen children push through apathetic parents or rise above age level expectations.  The piano can be for everyone.  Aside from actually learning to play the piano, the life skills I've learned from piano lessons are innumerable.  (Another post for another day!)  You and your child will not regret it!

BFBN: musical activities for a rainy day

With an active 3.5 year old and a 9 month old who is in that get-into-everything-and-put-everything-into-my-mouth phase, it's an understatement to say we're ready for spring.  I'm really looking forward to mornings at the park, trips to the zoo, picnics outside, running through the sprinkler, etc. 

But spring also brings along its rainy days.  For the days that we're stuck inside, I'd like to use our time more creatively.  (Not saying I always will or always do; just saying I'd like to more often.)   I looked around for a few rainy day musical activities that would be fun to do with young children.  Some of them I've done in the classroom, and some are new to me.  I hope you find them helpful and enjoyable on the days when the rain keeps you inside!

It's Raining, It's Pouring - We all know and love this one.  We can sing it to our littles while flipping through the pages of this book.

Rainy Day Nursery Rhymes - This website is full of songs, free printables, and activites centered around rainy day nursery rhymes.  This is a great resource!

The Tree Song - This is one of my most favorite songs to do with little kids.   It goes through each of the seasons and what happens to the trees as the weather changes.  I have certain motions I do as we sing the song, but any motions will work.  Children love it!

Read about where rain comes from and how the water cycle works.

Create rain sounds with instruments.  For example, use the triangle and jingle bells for light rain sounds.  Add the rhythm sticks and tone block for a bit louder sound.  Finally, play the tambourine and cymbals as you imagine the lightning and thunder.  Don't have any instruments?  Make up your own!  Banging on pots and pans is just as good!  This website offers some really great ideas for making your own instruments at home.

Learn to make rain with body percussion.  Turn the lights off and start with the lightest sounds of rain with your body (snaps, light claps).  Allow the sound to grow as you add pats, claps, and stomps.  Then, gradually lessen the sound and return to the light drip-drop that started it.  As you can imagine, this is most fun when you have a group of people to do it with!  Kids love hearing all of the sounds going at once.

(If you haven't followed The Babywise Friendly Blog Network on Pinterest yet, you should!)

the teaching bin

As a part of my nesting phase, I've been cleaning out every crevice of my home.  One of the many tasks has been to organize all of my teaching resources/materials.  My goal was to get both elementary and high school together in one bin.

Since high school music teaching was my most recent endeavor, going through my elementary music things brought back some pretty good memories.  I found the frog puppet that saved my life one day while teaching the class from you-know-where.  I remembered the story of the little boy understanding a bit about kindness one day in music class.  I thought about when I played Nickel Creek for the kids while reading the story, "The Fox."  It was really fun just looking through all of the fun games and activities I had!

I had a great experience my first year of teaching, regardless of the fact that I traveled between 3 schools.  Of course, I started out feeling clueless and scared.  Eventually, I got the hang of things.  There were only about 3-5 students of the 400-450 that I saw each week that really pushed my buttons and sucked the life out of me.  For the most part, the kids were great and we had a lot of fun.

As I packed up my elementary/high school music teaching bin, I thought about how different both of these professions were/are.  They are like night and day.  I'm sure those of you who have done both would agree.  So, in the coming days, I'll be writing about both experiences with pros/cons for each.  Although I'm so grateful to have taught both levels, I think I would have appreciated understanding more about what each job entailed before I jumped right in.  So, music teachers, be watching for this post and see if you have any other wisdom/thoughts to add.  And future music teachers?  Maybe this will help you think about what age level would fit your personality, professional goals, and lifestyle the best.

Well, happy cool(er) weather and 3-day weekend!

mary, martha, and a dream

(my desk at school)

As I was thinking about OKC schools going back today, I was reminded of something I wrote back on February 20th of this year but had never posted.  So, here it is:


The Sunday after I found out I was pregnant, Roc (our pastor) spoke about Mary and Martha.  It was a really great message.  That afternoon, we took a nap.  I had the worst dream.  It was one of those that kept you in bed thinking after you woke up.  I kept reassuring myself that it's not real and asked Colt several times as well.

My dream started with me in a car with my family.  My baby had been born.  All the showers had been thrown.  All reactions had been shown.  I missed it all.  Why I missed it was the mystery.  I frantically tried to get everyone's attention saying, "You don't understand, I don't remember any of this!  How can I not remember it?"  I was devastated.  I missed every baby shower.  I missed giving birth.  I missed Colt seeing him/her for the first time.  I missed introducing him/her to my family.  I missed it all and no one understood me and everyone looked at me like I was crazy.

We are not wacky dream interpreters, but I do think dreams can mean something ... not always, but sometimes.  Colt asked me what I thought it meant.  Together, we decided on this:  I need to slow down.  I have to slow down.  Things are changing and I've got to take time to realize it, see it, taste it, experience it ...

I've always wondered what the big problem was with Martha.  She was working hard to prepare a feast for Jesus.  That's a good thing, right?  Well, it was good, but it was too much.  We all know what it's like to have company over.  Sometimes, depending on the people, the stress of preparation totally takes over any enjoyment that might have happened.  That's what was wrong with Martha.  It was too much of a good thing.  In the words of Roc, "She was preparing a Thanksgiving-like feast when hotdogs and hamburgers would have been just fine."

I'm thankful for this story the time it's taken me to understand it a little better.  I have such a tendency to be like Martha.

Our latest news is that we are having a baby.  The next latest news is that I am quitting my job after this school year is over.  I believe God moves and prods our hearts in certain directions.  I cannot be everything a 6A HS vocal music teacher needs to be if I want to have a welcoming home, a thriving marriage, and be a good mother.  Those things are more important to me.  My husband and soon-to-be child are the most important people in my life, so I can't allow something else to absorb all of me and all of my time.  It's not that all jobs do this, but this job does.  (Please note:  I am not speaking for all 6A HS vocal music teachers ... just for myself and my experience.)  The amounts of evenings and weekends it takes up are simply too much.  A salary can't buy time or relationships.

What will I miss?  The students.  I will not miss the job.  The job is a different animal.  The students are people that make me laugh, that have great stories, that are incredibly talented, and that I enjoy being around.  However, in no way are my mind, heart, body, or soul opposed to quitting.  These past 2 years have been quite the experience and I have come out on the other side thinking completely different thoughts about teaching, education, school systems, vocal music, etc.  It has been the most trying time of my life.  Although I'd love to say this will be the last that you'll hear of it, I can't.  There are so many things that I have to get out and release from my heart, so just get ready.

I am beyond thrilled to be moving in this direction.  There are plenty of things to be scared of and to worry about, but we just can't.  I know this is where I am supposed to be.

lately

Lately ...

-There's been a part of me that's been really down about my level of physical activity.  I think my foot injury kept me safe from the half marathon.  I'm sure there were some pregnant women out there, but in those conditions, I would have been very concerned about my body, especially my body with a baby.  I'm totally okay with the fact that I didn't run.  The part that's not fun is that my besties, Sara and Reese, are just now getting into running.  While I'm excited that someday we can share this together, I'm pretty sad that it's finally happening when I can't be running as much.  Sounds silly, I know, but it really is a downer.

-My mom and I are not returning to teach next year.  Although there are a million uncertainties out there for the next several months, one thing I am certain about is that I should not return.  (more on this later ...)  My mom will go back to what she was doing before - teaching piano, accompanying for schools, playing for weddings/funerals, etc.  I will do something I've never done before - just teach piano.  In October, the 'just' will no longer be 'just,' as I will be entertaining a new little person in our household.  But until October, knowing I will be doing this one thing is a relief I could never put into words.  So, if you know someone that wants piano lessons, send them my way!

-My appetite is growing.  I am always hungry.  I have recently developed a craving for ham and mayonnaise sandwiches.  They are my favorite right now!

-Phil, Megan, and Cooper are living with us right now while their house is being built.  It's so fun!  We pretty much share the duties around the house and it's certainly not a problem to see little Coop crawling around on our floor every day.  :)

This post is just as scattered as my brain is lately.  Lots of thoughts, concerns, excitement, hopes, and worries running through my head constantly.  It's just one of those 'in a funk' kind of times I suppose.  But hey, things eventually work themselves in one way or another and, regardless, God is good.

friday

Yes, I'm speaking of the phenomenon that is Rebbeca Black's "Friday."  It's been quite the talk, so we asked our jazz choir if they'd like to do a little spontaneous version of it in class.  And they did. :)

the wizard of oz

I haven't blogged in awhile.  Why?

Because of this ...

Today we had professional development coupled with hair/makeup/costume day with the kids.  It feels like we've got about 65 plates spinning.  The time it has taken, and will continue to take, to put this on is unexplainable.  It will be fabulous though.  The cast is extremely talented and you'll feel like you're watching the movie.  I promise you will immediately fall in love with the characters.  Bring your friends, your family, or a date!  Hope to see you there!

snow days

I love snow days.  I worked on Monday last week and that's it.  Well, we had rehearsal all day Saturday, so I suppose I worked 2 days.  We'll see what happens this week.

We are in the middle of our musical "The Wizard of Oz."  If you know anything about putting on a musical or being in a musical, you know that rehearsals are everyday for several hours.  It's a huge commitment for all involved.  I've had several people ask me, "Oh my gosh, are you just freaking out that you're missing all this rehearsal time with your kids?"  Any normal teacher's answer would be, "YES!!" but I don't feel that way.  It's crunch time and I know it's stressful, but I also know that we have a very talented cast who will put on a good show regardless of the missed rehearsals.  And this is why I can relax on snow days.

As I returned to work on Monday of this week, I heard several teachers say things like, "I just didn't know what to do with myself.  I was so ready to come back" or "I cleaned everything in my house and did every project possible.  There's nothing left to do."  It was funny to hear after I just posted about boredom.

Waking up to a beautiful world of white is like waking up on Christmas day to me.  This morning, Colt and I hurried to look out the windows right after we got up.  Snow makes everything look so neat and clean.

The snow has also allowed me to sit down and have breakfast.  I mentioned my love for this in my post about fall break last year.  I'm very grateful for the multiple cups of coffee and big breakfasts each morning.

They're not awesome breakfasts because of what they are ... bagels from a package, cereal from a box, milk from the fridge, fruit from the store, and eggs from a carton.  They're awesome because I wasn't shoving a granola bar in my mouth while driving to school.  It's been great!

I'll leave you with 2 friends that have definitely enjoyed their snow days ...

happy snow day eve

Well, Yukon finally decided to jump on the bandwagon and cancel school for tomorrow.  I think it's pretty safe to say that if Chesapeake cancelled at 1pm today, then the universe will be shut down.

While every other person in the school ran out the door at 3:30, leaving it a dark and lifeless place, we had musical rehearsal until 6:45.  I ran home, had tomato soup w/ grilled cheese sandwiches with Colt, and then we had band practice.  We're working on a couple of new tunes and hopefully within the year, we'll have a new EP to unveil.  :)

After band practice, Colt handed me a package that we got in the mail.  It was from Brad and Mirela! (Our wonderful friends who used to live in Oklahoma but now live in Portland.)  I opened it and this is what I saw ...

Tea and cute little cups.  What a fun surprise!  Thanks, Brad and Mirela.

By the way, this 'Brad' I speak of is the author of "Mountains, Pilgrims, and Foreign Language."  Visit his website here and hey, buy his book!

I'm so thankful that Colt and I get to enjoy a snow day together.  I have no plans for tomorrow and I love it!

will there really be a "morning"?

I'm sitting here drinking french press coffee, eating mama lue's no-bake cookies, and watching/listening to football. Isn't that just wonderful? :)

A relaxing evening is very important to me. I leave the house about 6:30 every morning and get home around 6:00 every night. (and the after school rehearsals for various things haven't even begun!) Buuut... I am absolutely loving it! There are definitely pros and cons to teaching both elementary and high school. One thing I'm really enjoying right now is that the progress is SO evident and quick with high school students. The music they are making is beautiful and we still have several weeks until our Fall Concert. They are an impressive group of students. Working with my mom is just hilarious. We have so much fun together and most of the time I'm wondering, "Is this really considered 'work'?" Even in the midst of pages and pages of paperwork and numerous phone calls/emails and the many events we participate in, my mom and I find so many moments to just laugh. We are truly loving it.

One of the most beautiful pieces we are working on is one that is set to Emily Dickinson's poem, Will there really be a "Morning"? So, here it is for your reading pleasure. If you have any insightful thoughts on the interpretation of this poem, they are certainly welcomed. Enjoy. :)

Will there really be a "Morning"?

Is there such a thing as "Day"?

Could I see it from the mountains

If I were as tall as they?

Has it feet like Water lilies?

Has it feathers like a Bird?

Is it brought from famous countries

Of which I have never heard?

Oh some Scholar! Oh some Sailor!

Oh some Wise Men from the skies!

Please to tell a little Pilgrim

Where the place called "Morning" lies!

the seasons, they go round and round

I'm not too wonderful in the kitchen, but I can get by. I'm always up for trying a new recipe. Colt is also a pretty good cook himself. Now, minus the time I cooked the 'throw-everything-i-have-in-the-pantry-together-in-a-pot' soup, I haven't really had another disaster meal. However, last night Colt and I attempted to cook catfish. It was really unfortunate tasting. I'm pretty sure we'll try a different method next time.

I can't believe it's already time. We start 'new teacher' stuff tomorrow in Yukon. My mom and I have been down there so much lately to plan that it feels like the school year has already begun. Things are basically ready for the first day, but there is always so much to do. The nice thing is that I get to do all of this with my mom. We have each other when we're stressed and when we're laughing beyond control. I think it's going to be an exciting and fresh year for us and the students.

Right now, Colt and I are with Aaron recording more vocals on the album. It is so close to being done. We probably just have a couple more times to record and then it's off to mixing/mastering. I will definitely be shouting it from the rooftops when it's done, duplicated and in our hands. :)

goodbye for now

many things

Sometimes I really want to write something here but I don't feel like I have any one thing on which to focus. That bothers me, so I don't write. Tonight, however, I don't mind.

It's now been 3 weeks into summer and I'm loving it. I taught a summer music enrichment class for the 2 weeks following the end of school and it was pretty fun. 14 kids, 3 hours, grades 1-6. It was a bit tricky trying to figure out how to appeal to all of them at once, but I think I started to figure it out.

My hair is straight. Those of you that have known me for any length of time at all know that my hair has always been crazy curly. In the past year or so it has straightened out. At first, I thought it was just turning into wavy hair, but I was wrong. It is straight. I can probably count the strands of wavy hair on one hand. It's so strange for me. Why couldn't this have happened in middle school when I looked ridiculous and had no idea how to function with curly hair? Oh well, for a new season of life, a new season of hair.... I guess.

I started reading "The Shack" a few days ago and I'm really enjoying it. For you critics/cynics out there, you may want to give it a try. Don't put it in a box until you've read it. Right now, I'm really starting to relate to the main character, Mack. Some of his views/concerns/frustrations with God are ones that I've had or am still having; it's nothing that completely shatters my faith or belief, but just challenges it. Anyway, I'm interested to see where this whole story goes.

Colt and I have been recording like nobody's business lately trying to get this 2nd album done. Phil and Evan are done and we're basically just needing to record vocals at this point. It has been a long, drawn out process but I know it will be worth it. We're planning to have it done and in our hands in late July or early August.

I leave you with this. It is absolutely beautiful... the rich harmonies, clear voices, impeccable pitch. Please listen. :)

sanity needed

I now understand why teachers have a summer break. It is for the sake of sanity. These kids are really great and they're pretty hilarious most of the time. However, saying the same thing 50 times a day can get a little tiring. And I'm really not kidding about the number 50. If I have 8 classes a day and tell each class to 'put your mallets down' about 6-7 times, then 50 is a pretty good estimate. I am exhausted. The bags under my eyes are getting baggier, my voice is getting a little more hoarse by the day, my back is unusually tense, AND, to top it all off, I'm writing things down in my planner inaccurately (which, really, is just unheard of for me) . All that to say, I really like my job and I'll be doing it the next year and the next and the next and the next ... :)

As our mailbox is getting flooded with wedding invites, nurse pinnings, graduation ceremonies/parties, I'm just reminded of all of the wonderful things that my friends are doing. I have friends who are working as nurses, working as teachers, studying/working in other countries, getting ready to graduate, trying to change the idea of health in this community, going to grad school, working in the business world, beginning new ministry ideas.. the list goes on. Now, I'm not patting my own back for their accomplishments; I'm just expressing how grateful I am to know them. I never dreamed of having such intelligent, inspired, driven, and beautiful friends. I'm just really proud of all of you.

Off to Slim in 6 ... that Debbie Siebers ...

the fox

Who would've thought?

A few weeks ago, I ran across a children's book entitled, "The Fox." As I read it, I realized that the words were identical to the lyrics in Nickel Creek's song, 'The Fox.' It's an old folk song, that was made into a beautifully illustrated book, that was also made into a wonderful Nickel Creek song. I decided I had to spend a day with all of my classes reading/singing this book, talking about folk songs, and letting them listen to Nickel Creek. I did just that today. They LOVED it. They kept asking, "What's the name of the band??" So, Nickel Creek's musical audience now extends all the way down to the age of 6. Hope they don't mind.

I think it's so wonderful how things like that work out. THIS was exactly the kind of thing that I wanted to do in my classroom. I think it's important for students to not only hear art music from extraordinary composers, but to also hear current music that is still just as legitimate. I want them to learn how to distinguish quality music from... not-so-quality music. They have to know that great music still exists. Nickel Creek has exceptional talent and I have no problem spending a day talking about them. :)

kaeru no uta

Here is the Eric Whitacre experience, by the way....

It was so amazing to actually meet him!

Recently, I've been having some troubles with a few of my lovely 1st grade musicians. Today, I brought a frog puppet. Zero crazy kids and zero problems. They absolutely loved it. He talked to them, gave them hugs, sang them songs... he basically ran the classroom. It was magic.

Well, I'm heading up to Stillwater for the weekend to hang out. I'll be riding a horse for the first time, so we'll see how this goes...

Well, I am married. What a whirlwind of events. I truly did enjoy that day... it was perfect. It was absolutely everything I imagined. Spending a whole day with my wonderful friends and family and then going home to live with my best friend... it doesn't get much better. The week in Grand Cayman was so relaxing. It's a strange feeling waking up everyday without a plan. :)

Our apartment is pretty chaotic, but little by little we are getting things put away. The drive to school in the morning is now 6 minutes instead of 18, which was nice today since I woke up 15 minutes before I had to be there. It reminded me of Spring finals in 05 when Sara and I woke up 10 minutes after our final had already started. We ran, like scared freshmen, to Montgomery Hall... unbrushed teeth, pajamas, sheet marks on our faces and all. Today wasn't as bad; I did manage to get my teeth brushed.

I've heard two incredible speakers this week. Everyone always makes professional/in-service days sound like death. I guess they usually are, but this week they were different. On Monday, I heard a lady speak on understanding poverty in our schools. It was so enlightening. Under the umbrella of that topic, she spoke on registers of language, grammar, spelling, conversation, hidden rules between classes, etc. She was right when she said the tendency of our teachers is to teach to middle class students because most, not all, of us are middle class individuals. I really feel like I have a broader understanding of the different kinds of students that step into my classroom. On Thursday, I heard Ron Clark speak at UCO. He's a very young man and has already made such an impact on students, teaching, and people everywhere. I felt inspired.

I have so many dreams.

It seems overwhelming and, at times, impossible. I know people do many of those things, but I want to do all of them... and I want to do them so students feel loved and inspired. That is my ultimate dream.

Life is a lot of things right now, but it feels like everything is in its right place.

music and kindness

Sometimes I feel like I teach more about the idea of kindness than the concepts of music.

Yes, my dream is to have every child leave my class with the ability to match pitch, play instruments, clap rhythms, read music ... etc. However, sometimes there are just more important things to discuss.

We've been playing instruments a lot in 2nd grade and there are, obviously, a lot of procedures in place so that it's not absolute chaos. They know not to play the instruments until I say. One boy decided to test that, so I took his drum away. His response was, "Well, I don't even like music anyway." I think as a teacher you just have to get used to comments like that. Children will be children. But I decided to camp out on it for awhile.

I basically turned it around and said to the class very kindly, "I want you all to think about something. I get up everyday and I'm excited to come and teach music to all of you. What if you were so excited to go to your friend's house and when you got there, he said, 'Well, I didn't really want you to come over anyway.' How would that make you feel?" They all agreed that they would feel very sad. I left it at that and told them that we need to use kind words in music class.

I didn't really remember any of that had happened until the next day. That 2nd grade boy came up to me as I was walking through the cafeteria at lunch and said, "Miss. Clifford, I wanted to apologize to you for what I said yesterday in music. That wasn't very nice." I was completely shocked. I just told him over and over how wonderful that made me feel. I told him that apologizing is a hard thing to do but it's the right thing to do. Judging by his smile, I could tell he felt intrinsically good for doing good.

I do hope I have more stories like this at the end of the year. Watching children learning to be kind to one another is wonderful. I think we could all use a little lesson in kindness every once in awhile.

ta ta-ti ta ta

Well, I'm several days into teaching and my ideas and perspectives have changed a bit.

Maybe an occasional song paired with cute movements is actually refreshing for these kids. There are things I've done that really work and things I've done that, well, I'll probably never do again. Live and learn.

In second grade, we're working on our ta's and ta-ti's (yes, 'ta-ti' ... not 'ti-ti'). The other day, I saw the lightbulb go on in this little boy's head. He raised his hand to verify that what he was understanding about quarter notes and eighth notes was correct. It was right on.

In another lesson, I talked about Beethoven's 7th Symphony, 2nd movement. The basic rhythmic theme of this piece is 'ta, ta-ti, ta, ta' so it was perfect for this concept. I had them listen for the rhythm and when they finally heard it, they were excited. Some classes would start counting out loud to the music, which was so neat to hear.

I spent a lot of time talking about Beethoven that day. He is extremely significant in the development (no pun intended) of music in history. They were all, of course, intrigued by the fact that over time, he lost his hearing and eventually became deaf. I played the beginning part of the melody in the 9th Symphony and they were so interested to know that he wrote this. They really loved that he wrote, "dun dun dun duuuun," otherwise known as the 5th Symphony. While I was telling his story and a few interesting facts about him, you could've heard a pin drop. I wish I could have videotaped the expressions on their faces. One little boy even posed the question, "Did you know him?" Unfortunately, my answer was no. Trying to get those kids to understand the concept of the 1700s is pretty funny.

There are really good days and there are really bad days. Sometimes I feel very effective and sometimes I feel very clueless. But in all of that, I can rest in knowing that this is what I am purposed to do. I want these children to develop a love for and interest in music. But along with that, I want them to learn about being responsible, respectful, and productive members of society. I want them to have dreams and goals. 30 minutes per class twice a week seems almost impossible sometimes when I think about everything I want them to know.  But it's what I've been given and I'll gladly take it.

elementary music in the 21st century

I have just completed my first 3 days of teaching. I have every reason to believe it will be a very interesting year.

Kids sure are different as you travel from Shawnee to Edmond (not all kids, but some).  I'm not saying it's good or bad.  It's just a statement.  I asked all of my classes in these first 3 days, "Where do you hear music? Raise your hand if you can think of a place."   I expected the typical answers, such as the birds, at home, at a restaurant, on the radio, at a concert.  They said those, but they also said things like my ipod, my mp3 player, ringtones on my cellphone.  I didn't really expect those.  One of my second graders said his favorite band was my chemical romance.  He could hardly even speak those words where they were understandable.

I know it's only been about 12 years since I've been in elementary school, but things have changed quickly.  Cellphones are permitted in elementary school, as long as they are not on or out.  It's not that these changes are necessarily horrible.  It's just different.

It just doesn't feel like life is as simple for them as it maybe used to be; of course, it does have a lot to do with parents and what they decide to buy for their children.  Singing songs with cute little movements isn't necessarily enough for some of these kids.  My brain is kind of in a whirlwind trying to figure out what might make these kids tick in music class.   I don't think the answer is found in textbooks. I'm thinking I'll have to just get creative and think.  Elementary music in the 21st century ... maybe we just need a little more Coldplay in the curriculum.