Someone special . . .

I just read the blog of a former student.  She doing missionary work in Nigeria in an orphanage.  She's a really special person . . . one of those people who never ceases to help others.  She's the most faithful person I know.  I wish I could believe in people that way she does.  Her blog is worth checking out and if you are looking for a worthy cause, consider this program.  Her blog, Faith's Heart, is listed on the right hand side of this screen.  

Check out her blog entries and her pictures.  You will see many things that are heartbreaking but the spirit of her work always shines through.  I am proud to know her!

Speaking of photos, I am ready for spring . . . yes, I say this on a daily basis.  I can't wait for soccer to start . . . my youngest child plays soccer.  

I was truly offended when a certain ex-vice presidential candidate who used a political forum to make a negative comparison of "soccer moms" . . . in favor of "hockey moms".  We all support our kids . . . why would someone who aspires to lead this country be so condescending of parents who actively become involved in their kids' activities . . . didn't she want our votes?!!  

Wow, we did it!

I had a lesson today with some young violinists.  This particular group are students who all receive learning support services.  They are grouped together because their schedule is very restrictive, I have few options for times when they can come work with me.  

We have been proceeding through beginning skills very slowly, not always steadily. However, today these students came in and played almost all of our D string songs and exercises really well.  It was like their minds merged into one great energy source.  They played with amazing flow and beautiful musicianship.  I'm still smiling, hours later.  Hours later, I can still see the mixture of intense focus and joy on their faces.  It was truly a "Wow, look what we can do" kind of moment.  These young students were finally able to achieve a sense of flow in their music making.  

We started the lesson with some free improvisation and for once, I stopped teaching and simply facilitated.  I wonder if this allowed them to play freely with flow.  I've started to consider, on an almost daily basis, if we are stifling the natural creativity that all young children possess.  Creativity doesn't have to be artistic.  I've always found a sense of creative satisfaction when I find patterns within mathematical processes.  Designing a science experiment involves the creative consideration of multiple approaches to an idea.  Writing is probably the best example of improvisation.  My favorite writers always use language in a vivid musical style.  

This reminds me of a book that I read a while back.  The author's site is www.freeplay.com.  Stephen Nachmanovitch's ideas are easy to read, insightful, and have real life meaning.  

Spring must come . . . soon. Walt agrees!

I'm ready for spring.  I'm ready for cold weather to go away.  I want to feel warm sun on my face.  I want to drive a car that stays somewhat clean for more than a day.  I want to spend less time tuning my students' string instruments.

Spring must come . . . soon.  

Today, I read a few forgotten poems by Walt Whitman.  As a former English major, I am disappointed that I had forgotten some of his poems.  His writing is almost aural instead of visual, even though most writers try to paint visual pictures with words.  The words that he chooses create vivid sound . . . almost more than images.  Consider this example . . . doesn't it make you hear the city traffic of your favorite city while listening to a lawyer performing arrogantly for the jury and judge . . . Walt sure loved to exclaim (did anyone use as many exclamation points as he).  What an American treasure!  

   Beat!  beat! drums!--blow!  bugles! blow!

   Over the traffic of cities--over the rumble of wheels in the streets;

   Are beds prepared for sleepers at night in the houses?  no sleepers must sleep in those beds,

   No bargainers' bargains by day--no brokers or  speculators--would they continue?

   Would the talkers be talking?  would the singer attempt to sing?

   Would the lawyer rise in the court to state his case before the judge?

   Then rattle quicker, heavier drums--you bugles wilder blow. 

Spring . . . coming soon . . . please!

I am truly ready for spring.  I want to feel warm sun and mild air.   We've had some beautiful weather this winter but I'm getting tired of driving my car when it's covered with road salt and dirt . . . although I have a secret yearning to spend money that we don't have on a ski vacation.  

Here is my attempt to force Punxatawney Phil, albeit belatedly, to either see or not see his shadow--whichever is the one that encourages and early spring.  

Okay, time to rant . . . I really like being a teacher.  I do.  Being a music teacher is often busy and stressful but has many moments where I can't believe that my job is to simply make music with kids all day.  It's truly amazing when my kids come in and say "Listen to me play this song".  There is no better feeling as a teacher when kids are proud to show you what they can do . . . being proud of students is one of the best parts of being a teacher.

However, I am finding it difficult to be appropriate when my students complain about standardized testing.  Our students are currently in the middle of their second consecutive week of standardized testing.  This process has become invasive into the educational process.  We spend more time testing and preparing for testing than we spend teaching . . . okay, not really but it seems like it.  

Standardized tests were created to provide statistical information about a school system's curriculum.  The original purpose was to show schools potential skills that needed to be addressed within the curriculum and classroom instruction.  Politicians have decided, in their effort to show that schools and students are accountable, to use these tests to determine individual progress. I wish that all politicians would have to come in and watch students take these tests.  I could go on and on about the detrimental effects of this process but it is too infuriating.  

In addition, these tests incur a huge cost to school districts.  Imagine what we could do with the funds that are spent on testing!  We could do things that are proven to actually improve student achievement . . . gee what a thought!  Sometimes I wonder if the general public truly understands the unfunded mandates that politicians impose upon school districts.  Perhaps our frustration with school funding could be directed at those who cause all the red tape and bureaucracy that takes a huge amount of funding away from schools.