Commencement as a Teacher

“I learned how to make friends at The Parish School.”
“I loved math, science, music, and art.”
“When I grow up, I want to be a celebrity.”
-commencing students

Commencement is a time of a mixture of emotions.  On one hand, we celebrate the years of  learning, overcoming challenges, and memorable experiences of the students, families, and teachers.  On the other hand, we are sad to bid farewell of a place of comfort and love to move to a new chapter of their lives, forging a new path at a new school.

With the fourteen commencing Post Oak students, I had this one year together to create memories, teach new skills, and to grow together.  We certainty did in all areas of dancing, singing, and trying new things.  I am very proud of the growth they made and that I could be part of the time they had at The Parish School.  These students have taught me about teaching and about myself as well.  I will miss them, their special talents, and the joy they brought into the classroom.

My first commencement as a teacher, I look back on the year and I am pleased that I was able to help these students on their journey to achieving their dreams and making small ones a reality along the way.

Congratulations!

 

The Student Conductor

“Keep your eyes on me.” – T. Mustangs
“You’ll be good at conducting.” – Heroes to M. Heroes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today was the last day of music for a number of students who are commencing tomorrow.  To end a great musical year, we played a variety of instruments, creating a class band with a conductor.  The Mustangs and the Heroes were flexible to switching instruments and conductor position with each other.  As the conductor, students were serious in waiting for their peers to watch them and to be ready to begin together.  It is a tough job getting everyone’s attention to make music together.  The musicians did their best to pay attention to the speed and height of the baton and musically responded.  Sometimes, students became so fascinated and engrossed with the music they were making that they lost sight of the group.  The student conductor learned to regain their attention and bring them back to the group by getting closer to the student and tapping their instrument.

 

 

 

 

 

After several student conductors, students were focused and kept their eyes on their leading peer.  I was quite impressed with several students who were conducting in traditional 2 and 1 beat patterns and keeping a steady beat.  They were confident in their motions, directed what they wanted through their body motions, and had fun.  Some even pointed to specific students/instruments to have solos and to layer the sound in groups.  The conductors utilized the baton as their voice and spoke a couple of words to begin and end.  Each student was unique in the way they lead and the music was different each time. It gave me an understanding of a young student’s interpretation of conducting, both from a musician’s and conductor’s point of view.  Today’s experience helps me to be a more effective conductor in communicating with the students.  Thank you!

New Idea: Jellyfish Ribbons

“It can be a jellyfish!” – P. Bears

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The school year is coming to an end and in music, we are visiting some of our favorite activities from the year.  One activity was dancing with rainbow-colored ribbons as dragons, race cars, and princesses.  Students love to use the ribbon as a tail of a dragon, steering wheel of a race car, and wear it on their head as a crown.  Today, one student came up with another idea: jellyfish.  A concrete idea, the ring with the hanging ribbons does look like a jellyfish.  The preschoolers really took to the idea and many of them danced their jellyfish to the hula music.  They are learning about the ocean and water in their classrooms and it is great to see that they bring what they learn to music.  We celebrated the last day of music with a new idea to a familiar activity.  Thank you, P.!

Abiyoyo and His Ukelele

“It’s like Abiyoyo!” – J. Bears

The Butterflies are reading “Abiyoyo,” a story about a boy who plays the ukulele, his father the magician, and a giant named Abiyoyo.  A folk story set to music by Pete Seeger, the story has a song written for the giant who is rampaging the town.  It has one word, “Abiyoyo.”  In the story, the boy plays the ukulele singing “Abiyoyo” until the giant falls down and the father zap the giant, making him disappear.  For music today, I brought in my ukulele for students to play, sing, and act out the story.  The Butterflies learned that a ukulele has 4 strings while a guitar has 6 strings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A few students danced as Abiyoyo, the magician with zapping powers, and the boy playing the ukulele.  With ease, they switched roles and shared the ukulele with each other.  They had so much fun dancing while listening to their friend singing “Abiyoyo” while strumming the ukulele.  Great coordination and teamwork all around for these preschoolers!  They are ready for the stage!

Instrument Exploration: Keyboard

“Look at my fingers walking on the keyboard!” – B. Fireflies

Classes continue their instrument exploration from guitar to violin to the keyboard.  Students have expressed interest in playing the keyboard and many of them cannot help themselves to press a key or several while they walk by the keyboard.  In this allotted time frame, students are given the opportunity to explore freely.

Paired with a classmate, students played the keyboard.  With the accompaniment sound track on, students created their own melodies on top.  Dancers emerged and a few were moving to the beat while rockin’ out on the keys.  J. Kangaroos danced while everyone played instruments.  Some students took off the accompaniment and showed off bits of familiar tunes they knew.  Students really took to the keyboard, using all their fingers, whole hand, and some even used their arm to play.  Keyboard playing opened a way for students to express themselves and have fun.

 

One Fireflies group realized that they did not like the sound of two or three people playing at the same time.  So independently, they decided to stand in a line and let one person play at a time.  They said, “It sounds better when one person plays.  It doesn’t sound good when we all play at the same time.”  Great problem solvers and taking turns!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another group of students discovered how fun it was to walk their fingers up and down the keyboard.  They were laughing and enjoyed chasing each other on the sidewalks of the keys.  Playing with classmates encouraged teamwork and coordination.  Students talked to each other about how to share the keyboard and how they wanted to play.  Thank you to an anonymous donor for the keyboard for student’s exploration!

Instrument Exploration: Violin

“How do you hold it?” – A. Mustangs
“I play violin!” – C. Seals
“I remember how to play it!” – M. Heroes

Students are having a blast exploring instruments this week in music class.  A friend of my fraternity sister donated violins to The Parish School.  I was so excited to receive the donation of the half-size and three-quarter size violins.  I have played my violin for my students and had students try out my full size violin; however, it is too big for them to hold it.  With these smaller sizes, students cam enjoy independently holding and playing the violin.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In each class, students did a great job figuring out how to physically hold and handle the violin and bow.  Some held it in their lap while other tried it under their chin with some help and explanation.  They did well playing it with two hands, using the bow across the strings.  A few students even sat down and played it like a cello.  All students displayed patience in taking turns, waiting, and watching/listening to their classmates.  I was very proud that they were willing to try something new, especially ones who were saying they did not want to play it because they did not know how.  That’s what instrument exploration is for!  To try the instrument and getting comfortable with the feel of the violin.  A few students said the violin was their favorite and one even asked for lessons.  There are emerging musicians in our midst.  Thank you to the lovely friend for the donated violins!

Congratulations! “What I Am – The Musical”

Congratulations to all our students for tonight’s performance at “What I Am – The Musical”!  Students were stars as dancers, actors, singers, instrumentalist, and as themselves.  It is amazing to watch their growth over the past several months as they internalized their songs, their lines, and their roles in the musical.  I am so proud of each and every students for working hard, being flexible, and pouring their heart into the production.  They believed in themselves and had so much fun on stage!

Congratulations!