Had my first ever LGPE (Large Group Performance Evaluation) today. Out of the 15 8th graders and 8 7th graders I was trying to take, I ended up having a combined group of 15 students....it was a cute little group. Overall, I was very proud of their performance. A few rough patches, but very proud of them for their hard work. I was super duper excited about their sightreading! Ended up getting a II in sightreading! Haven't listened to any feedback yet, probably won't until next week. I can say that I'm very glad to have my first ever LGPE under my belt and it can only get better from here! I learned a lot in the process and know a lot more for next year!
Missed a few posts last week, so here's one to sum everything up:
LGPE is this coming Thursday...AHHH!! I'm frantically trying to get my kids ready. On Friday I started off 8th grade by doing some touch-ups on a couple pieces. Somehow all the stars aligned and after playing through a couple sections of a piece a few kids exclaimed "Man! We sound really good today!" For the rest of the class the kids just played off of that energy and kept playing well and trying their hardest! I was super impressed with them. At the end of the class one of my viola players came up to me and said "I feel like I did really well today, and I feel like I can actually play the music and I was trying so hard!" I told her I was super proud of her! If they can play at least that well this Thursday, I will be a happy camper. No matter WHAT ratings we get!
Additionally, this same viola player approached me at the beginning of the class with some news. She auditioned about 2 weeks ago for the performing arts magnet program at the local high school. She made the decision 2 days before the last audition that she wanted to do it. So in 2 days I tried to help her prep for her first audition (UGH! MIDDLE SCHOOLERS! It's not like I've been reminding kids that the audition was coming up for weeks!). Anyhow, she took the audition and came back to me the following Monday telling me she didn't feel like she did well. This past Friday she came up to me and showed me her acceptance letter!! Super happy for her! Sadly I only have 3 students who wanted to continue playing in high school; however, all three of them auditioned for magnet programs and all three got accepted!
7th grade has been super shaky lately. Been having some serious issues getting them to listen and respect me. I decided on Thursday that I was only allowing three of them to go to LGPE with the 8th graders and the rest of them would do worksheets until after LGPE because they can't keep their mouths closed for more than two seconds....or for two seconds for that matter. They do need some serious remedial help with learning notes, so the worksheets would only benefit them. After class on Thursday I kept a kid with me to talk to him about the issues he and I were having. I explained how difficult he was making it for me to teach. So we talked for a few minutes and he finally asked "if we can have a good day tomorrow, can we please go to LGPE?" And I simply said, "we have to have more than a good day tomorrow. We are really behind on learning the music and the only way I can teach them the music and have them be successful is if he can get the whole class on my side and allow me to do so. I asked him to tell me what it would take for the class to be able to learn the music and he gave me some very good rules. Additionally I asked what he thought we should be able to do by the end of class on Friday. He suggested being able to play through one entire piece. So when we got to class on Friday I had the kid stand up in front of the class and explain everything we talked about. Afterwards I told them that Friday would be a "one strike and you're out" type of day. I was so incredibly impressed with how well they worked. We were able to get through most of one piece, but I definitely feel a lot better. But still, the only way they'll be able to go is if we can have 4 more days just like Friday.
6th grade has been especially awesome. We're getting to the point where I have to regularly tune the instruments (I've been doing spot checks and tuning the big instruments before class because the kids have a hard time NOT wasting class time). So on Wednesday I decided that I was going to time them to see how long it took to tune. I projected the timer onto the wall so they could see. We were able to do it in 3:50! After we tuned a couple girls stated "that did take long at all!" To which I responded "that's what I've been trying to tell you!!" So Thursday we timed it again....took 5 minutes because they kept playing around while we were tuning. Friday we tried again. THREE MINUTES!! By the time I got to the computer to stop it it said 3:03. I said "congratulations! 3 minutes and 3 seconds! That was an awesome improvement!" About half the class exclaimed that I finished tuning the last person at three minutes and it then took me 3 seconds to walk to the computer. My students are hilarious.
All in all, I have to say Friday was probably the first day out of the whole year thus far that I've actually had 3 wonderful classes happen on the same day. It's usually only one or two! Here's to hoping for a great week!!
I've decided to do this thing where I just sit silently and wait. For now, it's working really well. Today in 7th grade I actually felt like we got something accomplished. Not as much as we needed to, but I will take anything for now!
The hardest thing with this teaching technique, for me, is that I forget sometimes what I am saying and have to repeat what I said to remind myself. Today I did a really great job just stopping in the middle of a statement and picking up from where I left off. It's also helping me keep the pace of my teaching up.
The other thing I've started doing is assigning vocabulary words for students to define. Those students who continuously choose not to listen are given a sheet of paper and a book. The grade is 100 percent dependant upon their choice to do the assignment.
Sitting here thinking about it, it actually works well with my principal's request to the teachers. Students who choose not to participate (in p.e., music, etc.) should be given an alternate assignment. I have students who don't want to do what I'm asking, to them it's a punishment to sit and define words, to my principal it's an alternate assignment. Either way, they're learning something about music.
Today I had a 7th grader choose to constantly be off task. I gave him the sheet of paper and book and requested he define 10 words. At the end of class I asked I'd he had the assignment. He simply told me he did not do it so I responded with, "I'm sorry you chose to take a zero for class today. Maybe we can try for a better day tomorrow." After class I added the grade into the system. Zero for him, exempt for everyone else. When there's an issue later because the student is unhappy with the grade, of will be very easy for me to go back and say "well, you have a zero here because you chose not to participate. I gave you the option to do an alternate assignment."
Several 6th graders are starting to catch onto me just sitting back on my stool and folding my hands into my lap; including several students who I wouldn't have expected to catch on this quickly. Today in class we played 7 songs from the book! We also had a super productive day last Friday. I think they're actually starting to see the benefit of listening and following instructions!
The hardest thing with this teaching technique, for me, is that I forget sometimes what I am saying and have to repeat what I said to remind myself. Today I did a really great job just stopping in the middle of a statement and picking up from where I left off. It's also helping me keep the pace of my teaching up.
The other thing I've started doing is assigning vocabulary words for students to define. Those students who continuously choose not to listen are given a sheet of paper and a book. The grade is 100 percent dependant upon their choice to do the assignment.
Sitting here thinking about it, it actually works well with my principal's request to the teachers. Students who choose not to participate (in p.e., music, etc.) should be given an alternate assignment. I have students who don't want to do what I'm asking, to them it's a punishment to sit and define words, to my principal it's an alternate assignment. Either way, they're learning something about music.
Today I had a 7th grader choose to constantly be off task. I gave him the sheet of paper and book and requested he define 10 words. At the end of class I asked I'd he had the assignment. He simply told me he did not do it so I responded with, "I'm sorry you chose to take a zero for class today. Maybe we can try for a better day tomorrow." After class I added the grade into the system. Zero for him, exempt for everyone else. When there's an issue later because the student is unhappy with the grade, of will be very easy for me to go back and say "well, you have a zero here because you chose not to participate. I gave you the option to do an alternate assignment."
Several 6th graders are starting to catch onto me just sitting back on my stool and folding my hands into my lap; including several students who I wouldn't have expected to catch on this quickly. Today in class we played 7 songs from the book! We also had a super productive day last Friday. I think they're actually starting to see the benefit of listening and following instructions!
Been having a huge issue lately getting my student to listen to me. Today I got fed up with my 7th grade class and gave them an assignment in which they had to define 20 music terms. They were to sit quietly and do (or not do) the assignment. But there was to be no talking. For 20 minutes of my class today I actually had them following my instructions.
6th grade did really well, for the most part today. I warned them that 7th grade couldn't handle following instructions and they ended up with a consequence and that if the 6th graders couldn't handle instructions, they would be enduring one as well. I also woke up with a sore throat today so I told them that I wouldn't talk over them and instead would just simply wait for them to finish their side conversations. Out of the whole class, I only had to give writing assignments to 4 kids. The rest of them did a very good job listening to instructions, or at least getting quiet quickly. Probably one of the best listening days I've had with them in a while. My throat was thankful.
6th grade did really well, for the most part today. I warned them that 7th grade couldn't handle following instructions and they ended up with a consequence and that if the 6th graders couldn't handle instructions, they would be enduring one as well. I also woke up with a sore throat today so I told them that I wouldn't talk over them and instead would just simply wait for them to finish their side conversations. Out of the whole class, I only had to give writing assignments to 4 kids. The rest of them did a very good job listening to instructions, or at least getting quiet quickly. Probably one of the best listening days I've had with them in a while. My throat was thankful.
My favorite moments of being a teacher are when I see the light bulb light up in a student's head. Seeing them hit the "ah hah" moments are really the greatest. This year I had two 8th graders ask if they could join orchestra. I'm a strong believer that even though I only have one orchestra class in which most of the students have been playing since 4th grade, no student with the desire to play should be turned away. So of course, I said they could join. It's been difficult because one of them hadn't been allowed to stay after school (due to lack of transportation home). Finally I convinced his parents to let him stay. In a mere two hours after school, we went over note reading, rhythms, and learning to play the double bass. Until today he had been playing the bass part but on cello. Against any better judgement I had today, I decided that I would have him try playing his part (that he's been attempting to work on) on the bass instead of cello. I have to say, I'm so glad I went against my better judgement! The kid can play the heck out of the double bass! And now my bass-less orchestra has a bottom!! WOOT! But really, after vomiting note reading 101 in about 15 minutes the kid spent the rest of the time correcting another kid who stayed after every time I asked what a note was. By the end of the class he could tell me a note name in about 3 seconds. SUCH AN IMPROVEMENT FROM CLASS TODAY!! The most important thing that I took away from today is that by the time we left, he was so excited to be able to play the music and actually understand why everything is the way it is.
It really is days like this that make me completely forget about all the not so great parts of being a teacher (like tomorrow when we won't have 8th grade orchestra because of Junior Achievement day in the morning and then won't see our 6th graders because of a Black History assembly (in which we're packing the ENTIRE school into the gym) in the afternoon).
In a nutshell, I love being a teacher and live for days like today.
It really is days like this that make me completely forget about all the not so great parts of being a teacher (like tomorrow when we won't have 8th grade orchestra because of Junior Achievement day in the morning and then won't see our 6th graders because of a Black History assembly (in which we're packing the ENTIRE school into the gym) in the afternoon).
In a nutshell, I love being a teacher and live for days like today.
This morning during 8th grade we worked on a piece for LGPE. It's the easiest of the 3 so I've pushed it off for a bit. We just started working on it yesterday. Already they can play about 3/4 of the way through two of the 3 pieces, and about 1/2 way through the other piece. The piece that is a level III on our II/III split program is the one they play the best! They were really proud with how well they played everything today and even told me "Ms. McHugh, we need to work on this piece a little more because of all the accents and that's what the judges are going to be looking for." THEY ARE USUALLY TOO WORRIED ABOUT WHAT THE NOTES ARE TO EVEN SEE THAT ACCENTS EXIST! It was awesome.
Also, I did double bass auditions during 6th grade today. Realized that my plan to get the rest of the class involved in the judging process actually covered the "Evaluating music performances" standard. WINNING!
Also, I did double bass auditions during 6th grade today. Realized that my plan to get the rest of the class involved in the judging process actually covered the "Evaluating music performances" standard. WINNING!
Yesterday (because I forgot to blog):
During 7th grade, a student who I often have behavioral issues with, told me that my class and one other class were the only ones she was going to participate in that day because it was her birthday. She said those two classes were the only ones she likes. And I said "oh really, you like my class!?" (because I was was surprised with the statement). She said "yeah, Ms. McHugh, I love your class" and played the entire class. It was a nice change!
Today:
We started working on a new piece in 8th grade and the students really enjoyed playing it. For it being the first day, they worked really hard and got a lot accomplished. To the point that they could actually see what they accomplished. Hopefully they'll remember that feeling!
During 7th grade, a student who I often have behavioral issues with, told me that my class and one other class were the only ones she was going to participate in that day because it was her birthday. She said those two classes were the only ones she likes. And I said "oh really, you like my class!?" (because I was was surprised with the statement). She said "yeah, Ms. McHugh, I love your class" and played the entire class. It was a nice change!
Today:
We started working on a new piece in 8th grade and the students really enjoyed playing it. For it being the first day, they worked really hard and got a lot accomplished. To the point that they could actually see what they accomplished. Hopefully they'll remember that feeling!
Overall, not a bad day. I do wish it could have been a little more productive, but when you spend most of it collecting fundraiser forms and finishing quizzes, I guess you can't get too much done.
Best part of today:
Had a meeting with my principal to discuss what he saw during the observation last week. The new observation system has 10 sections of which you can be rated Ineffective, Needs Improvement, Proficient, and Exemplary. Out of the 10 sections I had zero "ineffective ratings," only one "needs improvement" rating (only because he didn't spend long enough in my classroom to see that I do in fact differentiate my instruction...) a bunch of proficient ratings, and two exemplary ratings. Professionalism was exemplary (yay to me!) and the biggest feat and the thing I was most excited about was an Exemplary rating in "Positive Learning Environment!" In the meeting he said that it was clear to him that I have established rules and procedures and that the kids really enjoy being there. I will call it a successful day!
Best part of today:
Had a meeting with my principal to discuss what he saw during the observation last week. The new observation system has 10 sections of which you can be rated Ineffective, Needs Improvement, Proficient, and Exemplary. Out of the 10 sections I had zero "ineffective ratings," only one "needs improvement" rating (only because he didn't spend long enough in my classroom to see that I do in fact differentiate my instruction...) a bunch of proficient ratings, and two exemplary ratings. Professionalism was exemplary (yay to me!) and the biggest feat and the thing I was most excited about was an Exemplary rating in "Positive Learning Environment!" In the meeting he said that it was clear to him that I have established rules and procedures and that the kids really enjoy being there. I will call it a successful day!
Good or bad, sometimes there are just no words to express how you feel (as a side note, this is why I'm a musician).
Best part of today: While working with my 7th graders, a student who normally acts out and causes issues in the class was actually on my side today. The student encouraged other students stay on task and follow instructions. At one point this student (student A)was talking to another student (student B) and I said to the students "if we can't stop talking, student B is going to come stand next to me." So student A brought their instrument and music and stood next to me and played for the remainder of the class (A HUGE ACCOMPLISMENT!) It felt so nice to have this student on my side instead of always fighting against me!
The rest of the day will go unmentioned.
Best part of today: While working with my 7th graders, a student who normally acts out and causes issues in the class was actually on my side today. The student encouraged other students stay on task and follow instructions. At one point this student (student A)was talking to another student (student B) and I said to the students "if we can't stop talking, student B is going to come stand next to me." So student A brought their instrument and music and stood next to me and played for the remainder of the class (A HUGE ACCOMPLISMENT!) It felt so nice to have this student on my side instead of always fighting against me!
The rest of the day will go unmentioned.
Yesterday: Decided that 8th graders cannot be trusted to sit where they want and still get things accomplished. After two days of assigned seats, we have accomplished SO MUCH in the music!
Today: Principal observed me today and my 6th graders we so incredibly well behaved that I was actually able to do everything I needed to! (Wish they would have stayed that way after he left....) But, I will take what I can get!
Story of the day: Student A threw Student B's belongings in the trash can because Student C said student B put their belongs on top of Student A's. (Student C most likely put them there...). Ugh...middle schoolers.
Today: Principal observed me today and my 6th graders we so incredibly well behaved that I was actually able to do everything I needed to! (Wish they would have stayed that way after he left....) But, I will take what I can get!
Story of the day: Student A threw Student B's belongings in the trash can because Student C said student B put their belongs on top of Student A's. (Student C most likely put them there...). Ugh...middle schoolers.
It's Friday. 6th and 8th grade made that very apparent today! I'd rather not bore myself with the details of the negative aspects from today, so I'll just jump past all that to 7th grade! I have had so many great days in 7th grade this week! Ever since I threw some beats up while they play they ask me every day "can we use ____ beat today? That's my favorite!" Or "did you bring any new ones today?!" It's been so awesome because they are getting SO much better and we play SO much more!!
Just to touch real quick, I love my new 6th grade basses. The 4 boys that I switched to bass are some of my most talkative, hyperactive students. Ever since they got the bass they have sat quietly and played. They are already so good!
Just to touch real quick, I love my new 6th grade basses. The 4 boys that I switched to bass are some of my most talkative, hyperactive students. Ever since they got the bass they have sat quietly and played. They are already so good!
After switching 4 students to double bass yesterday afternoon, the balance in my 6th grade orchestra has increased exponentially. I love that we have some low sounds in the group now (even if they still don't really know what they're doing).
So, I have this amazing 6th grader with SO much talent; even from the beginning he'd be able to tell me when his strings didn't sound like they were supposed to (out of tune). His ability to play grows every day. By far, he is the best player in the class. He is one of the students that I switched to bass (which is hilarious to watch because he's maybe 4'8'' so the bass is about double his size). After one afternoon of learning the basics, he is just as good on the bass as the rest of the class, even better than some students who aren't on a new instrument! It is really awesome to see students succeed!
I introduced my GarageBand track that I made for the 7th grade class to the 6th graders. It was awesome because as soon as I turned it on and it clicked off they just sat silently and played. I've gotten them used to playing with accompaniment tracks so when the hear the click off they get quiet. I think they were especially quiet because it was a hip hop beat that they love to listen to.
Overall, a really successful day! Made me really love my students.
So, I have this amazing 6th grader with SO much talent; even from the beginning he'd be able to tell me when his strings didn't sound like they were supposed to (out of tune). His ability to play grows every day. By far, he is the best player in the class. He is one of the students that I switched to bass (which is hilarious to watch because he's maybe 4'8'' so the bass is about double his size). After one afternoon of learning the basics, he is just as good on the bass as the rest of the class, even better than some students who aren't on a new instrument! It is really awesome to see students succeed!
I introduced my GarageBand track that I made for the 7th grade class to the 6th graders. It was awesome because as soon as I turned it on and it clicked off they just sat silently and played. I've gotten them used to playing with accompaniment tracks so when the hear the click off they get quiet. I think they were especially quiet because it was a hip hop beat that they love to listen to.
Overall, a really successful day! Made me really love my students.
Fundraiser kick off day!
Not too much happened today. Encore fundraising came in and hyped up my students in hopes of selling some awesome candles to raise money for the orchestra. A lot of the students were really excited....mostly they were excited at the possibility of getting cash prizes.
One thing I realized today: most middle school kids don't have the capabilities of understanding what it takes to be entered into a "regional" drawing. They were all excited at the thought of possibly winning $500 or $1000. Not fully understand that their chances are like winning the lottery...
Taught 5 6th graders how to play the double bass. IT WAS SO AMUSING. They're so tiny and seeing them hold these giant instruments just made my day. I love seeing their enthusiasm! They were all so super excited that I told them they could play in class.
Not too much happened today. Encore fundraising came in and hyped up my students in hopes of selling some awesome candles to raise money for the orchestra. A lot of the students were really excited....mostly they were excited at the possibility of getting cash prizes.
One thing I realized today: most middle school kids don't have the capabilities of understanding what it takes to be entered into a "regional" drawing. They were all excited at the thought of possibly winning $500 or $1000. Not fully understand that their chances are like winning the lottery...
Taught 5 6th graders how to play the double bass. IT WAS SO AMUSING. They're so tiny and seeing them hold these giant instruments just made my day. I love seeing their enthusiasm! They were all so super excited that I told them they could play in class.
Overall a really great day! 8th grade got A LOT accomplished on a piece today and I was so proud of how well they behaved and played. 7th grade was impeccable! I've started adding rap/techno beats via GarageBand to everything we play and now they request beats to play with! Today I gave them a new one and they loved it so much they couldn't play. So I told them "you have one track to listen, dance, and get your crazies out, then it's back to playing." Several students who I usually have to beg to play were like "OK!!" After the song was over, before I even said anything those students said "ok, guys, let's get to playing now!" One student told me I need to do the "Hold Up" (pronounced huhl uh) to this beat. #theridiculousthingsIdotomakemystudentsplay
In 8th grade this morning I sent two of my cellos off to work on a part in the music together. When I checked on them a few minutes later to see how they were coming along one girl stated "it's really slow." The other kid, who just started taking lessons last Friday, stated "it doesn't matter. Just play the right notes. Let's go." I was SO proud of him for understanding that playing the right notes, no matter what tempo you need to take it, is the first most important part!!
The rest of the day was interesting. Some kids were smoking pot in the bathrooms behind my classroom....needless to say it got sent through the ventilation system and into my classroom. You can make your assumptions from there.
The rest of the day was interesting. Some kids were smoking pot in the bathrooms behind my classroom....needless to say it got sent through the ventilation system and into my classroom. You can make your assumptions from there.
Man....Friday! While the kids were off the charts today, I was able to work with some students who've been needing a little extra help. 6th graders made it through two new songs today! Every day it gets better and better!! Also, switched a 6th grader to cello today and he was so excited. He couldn't wait to be able to take it home and practice.
Last night I (and Jason!) took the time to mix some tracks with some songs from the Essential Elements Book II. Using GarageBand I was able to record in the melody (that the students play) and add some backround beats and such to spice things up. My 7th graders came in today unmotivated to play (as they usually do) and I said to them "I've got something fun planned for you today, but in order to do it, I need you to have some faith in me!" Of course, their first instinct was to scream out "TELL US! WE WANT TO KNOW!!" I just kept telling them to trust me and have some faith. So we started with scales and such as always and got into a song we've been working on all week. After reviewing each part I pressed the play button and this is what they heard:
They got so excited and started dancing to it. I let them have their fun the first go around, then the second time they all played without me having to say a word! Moving onto the next song I wanted to do it in sections without the track (maybe I should make some practice tracks) and then they were all like, "CAN WE PLAY IT WITH THE TRACK?!" They were all really excited when they left class today.
6th grade (while a little chatty) is doing so much better! It's truly amazing how far a little positivity and encouragement will take a young child. At the end of the class I thanked the students for working so hard today and getting so much accomplished and one student said to me "Ms. McHugh, we work hard all the time now!"
Just as an amusing side note, my students still haven't mastered the "raise your hand, without calling out my name, and wait to be called on" technique. Today a student kept calling out my name while I was talking with another student and so finally I was just started calling out the student's name. The student laughed and was like "oh...I get it." Of course then a few students in the area started calling out my name just to get me to do it to them.
Things I love:
-students stopping by my classroom (that never have before) just to say hi.
-a student in the hallway (not even my student) stating "she seems like she's a nice teacher," all because I told the student to have a great afternoon during dismissal.
-student success. It truly is the best reward of all.
Today was a little trickier than the last few. The positive: I'm actually starting to feel like I know what I'm talking about! Students are starting to work together more instead of against each other; encouraging each other to pay attention and listen so they can play more!
Something about a rainy day causes middle school brains to seep out their ears. Although a talkative day, we were still able to get things accomplished, and the students and I left with a smile on our faces! Definitely progress!
Something about a rainy day causes middle school brains to seep out their ears. Although a talkative day, we were still able to get things accomplished, and the students and I left with a smile on our faces! Definitely progress!
What you put in is what you get out. You put in negative, you get negative. You put in positive, you get positive. It's a simple statement. Today I saw this come true in my classroom. Yesterday with every instruction I said it with a smile; "let's play number 78," "Please don't talk," all with a smile. My students were completely confused as to why I was smiling the whole time instead of yelling (like they were used to). I could even look at a student, while we were playing, smile and motion with my eyes at the feet on top of the case. The student knew exactly what I was asking and I didn't have to say a word or stop the entire class from playing.
I have to admit, last week I had no control in my classroom. I would scream and yell and expect that students would listen. They don't. I realized after sitting in sessions at GMEA that really being positive, and staying true to it, will in fact yield the desired results.
In 8th grade today I was able to get my student's attention just by simply raising my bow in the air. Several students who had been refusing to participate actually played today. Students left with a smile and I left with a smile. It was a win-win. The best part is that their tone made some great strides today!
In 7th grade we played the whole class (a HUGE improvement from before! I used to have to barter, if you give me 45 good minutes of practice then I'll give you 5 minutes of free time). The bell rang while we were playing and unlike before (when students would rush to get out of the class), several students actually finished the song before packing up their instruments.
6th grade made me the happiest of all today. After calling several parents yesterday, some I couldn't even get a hold of, those students came in to day and were incredible leaders. Many encouraging "hey guys, let's get quiet so we can play!" without me even saying a word. A simple raising of the bow showed the students I was ready to start, most mimicked my motions, and then we were off! Students left class with a smile on their face and I could tell they felt like they accomplished something.
To let Oprah close this out,
“Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough”
I have to admit, last week I had no control in my classroom. I would scream and yell and expect that students would listen. They don't. I realized after sitting in sessions at GMEA that really being positive, and staying true to it, will in fact yield the desired results.
In 8th grade today I was able to get my student's attention just by simply raising my bow in the air. Several students who had been refusing to participate actually played today. Students left with a smile and I left with a smile. It was a win-win. The best part is that their tone made some great strides today!
In 7th grade we played the whole class (a HUGE improvement from before! I used to have to barter, if you give me 45 good minutes of practice then I'll give you 5 minutes of free time). The bell rang while we were playing and unlike before (when students would rush to get out of the class), several students actually finished the song before packing up their instruments.
6th grade made me the happiest of all today. After calling several parents yesterday, some I couldn't even get a hold of, those students came in to day and were incredible leaders. Many encouraging "hey guys, let's get quiet so we can play!" without me even saying a word. A simple raising of the bow showed the students I was ready to start, most mimicked my motions, and then we were off! Students left class with a smile on their face and I could tell they felt like they accomplished something.
To let Oprah close this out,
“Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough”
Post GMEA:
At GMEA I realized several things. Each pertaining to a different group of my students. In 8th grade I realized that they don't use near enough of their bow and they lack in dexterity of lows and highs (fingers that is). Today I changed the percentage of time I talked vs the amount of time the students play. We worked on listening and matching, lows and highs, and using more bow....ALL AT THE SAME TIME! And all I had to do was play! In 7th grade, positive, kind affirmation and questioning had almost the whole class (including students who don't usually want to participate) playing the entire class! A HUGE change from last week! In 6th grade I've decided that I'm not going to get mad. I will simply smile, repeat my instructions, and move on. The students who can't follow instructions will stay after class so we can call their parents (they saw today that I was serious). Ended up having 6 or 7 students stay after class with me. The more I smiled, the more students I had asking me why I was smiling (because they knew they weren't getting to me with their disruptive inability to follow directions). IT WAS AWESOME. Over all, a super duper successful day. Can't wait to try again tomorrow! So excited for all the information I collected the last few days and I can't wait to try it all out in class!
