Chapters 5-8:
5-leading from any chair
6-Rule Number 6
7- The way things are
8-giving way to passion
Yet another week of eye opening reading. Chapters 5 and 6 dealt with some of the same topics. I have to say that “rule number 6” is AMAZING: “Don’t take yourself … so seriously.” When you allow yourself to not be the center of attention, you give others the opportunity to shine from wherever they are. The best takeaway I have from chapter 5 is the white sheets of paper on the music stands.What an amazing idea! It gives each member a voice and communication is key to any group’s success.I am going to try to think of a way to incorporate this in my classroom. During my internship, my classroom teacher had a real mailbox in the room. She was not using it at the time so I asked the students to put anything they wanted to tell me in the box and I’d check it when the flag was up. They could put a name on their paper if they wanted me to know who it was from, but it was not required. Looking back on this now, I see that it was kind of like the white sheets idea. I miss the mailbox and I have been looking for a cheap one ever since I graduated. The notes included how they felt in class, speaking up about inappropriate behavior, and of course the occasional kind message of thanks.
The way things are... I realized that I kinda have this viewpoint on life. I embrace the way things are so that I can move forward. I didn’t realize I did this, but in reading the stories of the chapter I saw myself. I love the story of the wall. We are all guilty of building walls but I've never stopped to consider how my walls were built. Was I hurt and therefore put up a wall or did someone assume one was there and create one that I didn't even know about? Very interesting food for thought. I’ll have to ponder that some more.
One last thought... if you have never played an orchestral instrument then the One-Buttock Playing section in chapter 8 was just another chapter. To me, it brought back fond memories of my H.S. Concert band days. Playing the clarinet as a two-buttock player is simply not playing at all. Music is all about emotions and the best way to “feel” the music is to move with the music. My very first section leader played every song with such visible feeling you would have thought she was dancing. This chapter made me smile because life is what you make it..... with endless possibilities!
I would like to suggest two things with regards to the mailbox idea. One is to go to a hardware store if you want one of those flip top or built in slot ones. There are some that are very affordable. The second is to try a dollar store. The ones near me have the cardboard ones and all you have to do is put it together (it is fully colored/decorated).
ReplyDeleteI think that we all in one way or another through these courses have embraced that moving forward mentality. We have all come out of our shells in one way or another thanks to projects that stretch us academically, musically, artistically, and otherwise. The other thing that you put in your response is about movement and music. I too have been in music programs and know the importance of moving around while playing and feeling the music rather than just sitting posed and playing just because.
Thank you for the mailbox ideas! I am going to find one this summer before school starts for next year.
DeleteWonderful reflection on the reading... I love the mailbox story and how, when given the opportunity, students can be so open and so... human. Teaching can be such a special calling when we are able to see the connections we make and are made to us. I've had a problem with me back for the past few months, so your comment about one-buttock playing was both funny and painful for me to think about. Thanks.
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