(no subject)
I've been sick since the weekend and OF COURSE, I'd have to lose my voice. Frankly, it hasn't been too bad, except for the constant jokes about how I sound like the grim reaper. Plus, I haven't had to take an Advil since this morning, so I'd call that a small victory.
But even in the midst of all this crap, I have been doing okay as far as teaching is concerned. Today was the FIRST day that I had FUN the entire day (just like one of those dairy cows on Family Guy). At the high school, the freshman girls were working on solo & ensemble stuff and we got a LOT accomplished and I never had to get upset once. Then during Chamber Choir, we found out that we had to get our group pictures taken for the yearbook. So basically, my plans for the day were completely shot, but all my kids were REALLY cool about everything. (They even laughed at my terrible jokes...) Once the picture ordeal was taken care of, we rehearsed for the Millikin Vocal Jazz Festival and THEY SOUNDED GOOD. I'm not as worried about this festival as I was a week ago...
So, of course, I figured since the morning went so well, I'd have problems galore in the afternoon. Well, what the hell do I know? Since I couldn't sing, I had to modify my 4th grade lesson, so we played a rhythm game where they had to identify what rhythm I clapped. (This helped eliminate the need for me to talk too much.) They love anything that is a game or competition, so I had no problems with them. Then at the middle school, I worked solo & ensemble with the 6th graders with no discipline problems (shock and DROOL). Finally, I did a festival run-through with the 7th & 8th graders and although MUSICALLY there were some issues, the girls never whined, complained, or bitched about anything. Hell, it was such a great day, even the possible tornado ripping my house to shreds couldn't bring me down. (My apartment is fine, by the way.)
Hopefully have more updates after the festival this weekend.
But even in the midst of all this crap, I have been doing okay as far as teaching is concerned. Today was the FIRST day that I had FUN the entire day (just like one of those dairy cows on Family Guy). At the high school, the freshman girls were working on solo & ensemble stuff and we got a LOT accomplished and I never had to get upset once. Then during Chamber Choir, we found out that we had to get our group pictures taken for the yearbook. So basically, my plans for the day were completely shot, but all my kids were REALLY cool about everything. (They even laughed at my terrible jokes...) Once the picture ordeal was taken care of, we rehearsed for the Millikin Vocal Jazz Festival and THEY SOUNDED GOOD. I'm not as worried about this festival as I was a week ago...
So, of course, I figured since the morning went so well, I'd have problems galore in the afternoon. Well, what the hell do I know? Since I couldn't sing, I had to modify my 4th grade lesson, so we played a rhythm game where they had to identify what rhythm I clapped. (This helped eliminate the need for me to talk too much.) They love anything that is a game or competition, so I had no problems with them. Then at the middle school, I worked solo & ensemble with the 6th graders with no discipline problems (shock and DROOL). Finally, I did a festival run-through with the 7th & 8th graders and although MUSICALLY there were some issues, the girls never whined, complained, or bitched about anything. Hell, it was such a great day, even the possible tornado ripping my house to shreds couldn't bring me down. (My apartment is fine, by the way.)
Hopefully have more updates after the festival this weekend.