We’re up earlier than usual because of an earlier-than-usual train to catch and an exciting Teaching With Orff webinar that starts at 8 sharp. We want to see experienced music teachers share their wisdom and tips as we’re teaching our first kindergarten music class tonight.
16 students eagerly await our ‘expert’ instruction.
The earlier-than-usual train has us seated in Car 5 Seat 14, the middle of the train.
The train is very mid. It’s filled with students hopping from grimy seat to grimier seat with their unseated tickets.
An old man enters and insists on sitting in his exact seat, causing a game of musical chairs. High school students shuffle to sit next to friends or shuffle around just to sit next to someone of the same gender.
We stare out the window and then read our book when curtains need to be pulled to block the sun from cutting into the car.
This morning’s breakfast was a small bowl of oats mixed with honey and some cold milk. We remember our dad’s attempts to cook Jungle Oats, burning the bottom of the pot almost every time. Back then we used brown sugar and butter with a little milk to cover the taste of burnt oats.
We’re still hungry, but also nervous and sleepy, so we sip on a hot americano to keep us awake.
Our classroom is already prepared for the substitute teacher as our webinar will go thirty minutes into class time.
We enter the zoom room and make copious notes.
Among all the wonderful tips and ideas, the biggest takeaway from the webinar is this one sentence: “Assume competence, and students will continue to grow.” We think we need to assume our own competence more often instead of being so hard on ourselves. Impostor Syndrome and Perfectionism often rear their ugly heads.
We go through the day feeling grateful but also a little tired.
The evenin’s music class re-energizes us as students enjoy making music with an old violin and some drums. Everyone is chanting, “Blue-Blue-Blue-Blue, Jel-lo-Jel-lo-Jel-lo-Jel-lo, Huc-kle-ber-ry-Huc-kle-ber-ry-Huc-kle-ber-ry-Huc-kle-ber-ry,” in order to learn about the beat and how to fill the beat with different patterns and rhythms. As they go through the class dancing and singing and playing and painting, we feel the weight of the day lifting up and away.
Dinner is a 12-inch sub (Italian B.M.T. for the win), and the long train ride home is on a half-full/half-empty train. We listen to Michael Nyman’s music while reading the last few pages of “When God Was A Rabbit.”
We must share a few photos of our school playground’s hidden treasures. Students love seeing us take photos of things we find beautiful and often want to help the teacher press the little circle.
Click.
Spot the 4-leaf clovers.
Spot the centipedes.
Spot the blooming mushrooms.
They huddle together, newly born and courageous, for their time on this earth is brief and beautiful.
May your time on this planet be beautiful and filled with courage, with friends, and with family who love and adore you in their own way.
Don’t forget to take a pic of two along the way!