Let me tell you how strange it feels to have four very nervous little third grade boys walk into the music classroom silently, expecting punishment for their horrible behavior yesterday (if you wonder about this, read my post from yesterday). I gave them worksheets of a keyboard and they had to fill in the notes over and over and over and over and over and over again. Then they had to copy clefs and some chord progressions. They did not finish it during their lunch/recess time, so during class time, they spent much of the time in time out working. The class was silent and well behaved. I guess they got the point that I was upset! I don't expect to have any more problems with that class!
My favorite student is in the kindergarten that came to class today (ok...so I am not supposed to have favorites...meet this little girl and then tell me she wouldn't be your favorite). She has about a hundred little two inch braids coming out of her head with little colored barrettes at the ends of each one. She has slightly crossed eyes and tiny pink glasses. Today was the first time I have seen her smile. I sat next to her at the circus a few weeks ago. She sat back with no expression on her face the whole time. I asked her teacher later about her. I found out she is a foster child who was expecting to be adopted, but the foster mother just told her she can't adopt right now. She moves to a new home soon. Today, I was singing a very silly repeating song with her class. I got to the part where everyone always laughs. I looked her way and saw the biggest grin on her face. Then, she started laughing. It was the best moment as a teacher so far!