What a crazy week! I started student teaching on Monday, and I'd have to say that its been going pretty well so far. I teach 4th grade general music class in the mornings, and then travel to the middle school where I teach 7th and 8th grade band and also the Jr. High jazz band in the early morning. I also teach lessons on Mondays.
Here are a few highlights of my week. The first day back, the fourth graders were telling us all about their breaks and what kinds of gifts they got. After far too many nine year olds telling everyone that they got new cell phones, laptops, iPods and iPhones, one boy exclaimed "Well I got cornrows!!!" haha. They are all pretty cute.
On Monday, the fourth graders began recorder karate. If you don't know what that is, its basically consists of them performing a piece and then if they pass, they get a certain color belt (or piece of yarn) to tie around the bell of their recorders. They begin with the white belt and each piece gets increasingly difficult. Well... the kids love it. Its amazing what kids will do for a piece of string! When one girl finally passed her white belt test and got her yarn tied to her instrument, she looked at me and was so excited because she "got her white belt!!! I practiced and practiced and I finally did it! Its my first time! :)" It was kind of exciting to see her get so excited and be so proud of herself. She earned it.
At the middle school, I've had full control of the seventh grade band all week and most of the week with the eighth graders. Its interesting to see how much difference there is between one grade level. The seventh graders seem to respect me and listen most of the time, but the 8th graders act like their too cool to listen to a student teacher. There are a few in the 8th grade that I've bonded with, but most of them think they are hot stuff haha. With the 7th graders, its been really rewarding though. I've started all new music with them this semester and at the end of the week, my cooperating teacher complimented them saying that he was proud of them for doing so well with all the changes this week and that he was really surprised by how well the music sounded after a week. I thought that was a great compliment to my teaching, too. Sometimes they got really annoyed by how picky I was being with certain things, but I think that all our hard work paid off. I've actually enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would.
This week has been an incredible growth week for me. There's been a lot of things that have crossed my mind and made me really examine who I am and who I want to be. I'm always amazed at how God uses certain people and situations to teach you lessons or remind you of something. I've also been reminded this week at how incredibly blessed and I thankful I am to have such great friends. You know who you are and I appreciate you more than you know :)
I love hearing all of your stories. You are a great teacher and I truly think that any music student would be fortunate to have you as a teacher. You know what you are talking about, have skill to back up your knowledge, and know how to relate with your students. I know they're learning from you
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