R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Today was one of those days that makes me want to quit being a music teacher. Not because of the students, but because of the other teachers. Last week, for the first time, I allowed a fourth grade class to take their recorders home. My gifted students (some in that class) had been doing so all school year, and the rest of the students were really excited to do the same. I had made them recite to me, and to their classroom teacher, the rules about take recorders home, I told them what to practice, and sent them on their way.

Admittedly, I should have talked to the fourth grade teachers first, but I feel like their response shows no respect to me. Some of the students (I know of one specifically, the class told me less than 5) hit another student with a recorder. Under my procedures, those students would not be allowed to take their recorder home again, and I sure hope the teacher wrote them up. Other students put their recorders in their desks instead of their backpack. Again, by my procedure, those students are not allowed to take their recorder again. But their teacher asked me to not let any of them take them home again. Despite the fact that I see them so little and try to teach them so much, and despite the fact that it is my class and curriculum and the students' recorders, this teacher (and another in her grade level) TOLD me not to let the students take them home.

I only wish I had had the presence of mind at the time to say what I should have.

The Joys of Having a Sub

I'm out sick today. I've had this terrible cough for what seems like forever (the doctor said it may last a month) and have taken one or two days off per week since it started. I hate being out sick, though, because I never know what will happen in my class while I'm out. I've had several interesting substitutes, who rarely ever do what I want:

I had one actually follow my lesson plan (mostly) but teach my students (and somehow they retained this despite my best efforts) that saxophones are in the brass family of instruments. Of course, saxophones are made out of brass, but, by virtue of the reed mouthpieces, are actually in the woodwind family. Plus, no brass instruments have that many keys. But you have no idea how much it work to convince my students of that.

I had another teach my lesson plan to the tee, except she didn't have the students sing, because she herself didn't know how. So I had a music class listen to a song several times, but not actually making music, because somehow the substitute didn't feel qualified to say "sing along this time".

The worst, however, are when they completely ignore my lesson plan. I had a substitute recently who left no note whatsoever. So I asked the students what happened (and I hate having to ask my students what happens in my own classroom). They told me they watched a movie. I didn't leave a movie, and the only movie I found in the room when I returned was Back to the Future, which I think was for the after-school program. The students told me the movie was about musical instruments, so I don't think it was Back to the Future, but I wish the lady had returned my phone calls. At least I don't expect the office will schedule her for me again.

And sometimes there is no substitute for me. Then it's really embarrassing to ask my students what happened in my classroom. And I have to figure out how to "make-up" the time.

I have had a substitute lately, who I hope to have again today. He doesn't understand music, but leaves thorough notes, doesn't yell at the students, and when I get back there are stacks of papers they wrote, showing me that they did something. You would think leaving the book of lessons developed by our textbook series developed specifically for non-music substitutes would be a bit more idiot-proof.

First Post--A good day, but a bad week

This is the first post of this new blog. In good teacher fashion, I'll begin by telling you my objectives: I plan to use this blog to reflect on my teaching. I hope that in the comments I will find new ideas for my teaching, while giving you ideas as well. Some of my stories should give you a window into the inspiring, amusing, always interesting, sometimes unpleasant world of teaching music. And sometimes this will be a way for me to vent feelings that need expressing.

I'll start with the good: Today was a great day because of several things that happened. My fifth graders really showed how much they love making music. They were singing with their eyes closed, swaying, enthusiastically, and sounded really good. They love singing partner songs (one group sings on song while another sings a completely different song with the same harmonic structure, creating harmony).

My fifth graders also started learning some Middle Eastern music. The district has been urging us to explore this more as our population changes, but I love introducing them to music from various cultures, anyway. Plus it's a standard. They got really into the songs and really seemed to enjoy it. And I love when they thank me for teaching them (and today they told me class was fun).

My fourth graders were really trying hard to behave today. It's amazing how motivating the possibility of recorders can be.

And my sixth graders' behavior is FINALLY starting to improve. We had a fire drill, but they were manageable. And they were learning and enjoying it, once the fire drill was over. It's amazing how much more they enjoy classical music when I have them conduct it. They still talk too much, but they're down to a normal-seeming-misbehaved, instead of the horrendous they started at.

Here's the bad: my district is having problems with money (like all the districts in the area) and is exploring the idea of cutting music. Meaning I might not have a job next year, and my students might be reduced to seeing a music teacher only once every other week. And the music teachers would have 40-some music classes each. I can't imagine how this would be a good situation for anyone.

So let me know how you are. Do you have misbehaving sixth-graders? Are you worried about your job? Did you have a swaying, angelicly-singing class this week that showed you why you do what you do? Or do you have another comment about music in your life?