In the two days I have been at the school, the teacher has already decided to cut a song, sent multiple students to the office, and stood in the middle of two fighting boys today. I feel as though she never has any free time and when she does, she is constantly doing something for the rest of the school. Whether that is subbing in rooms where they cannot find someone or keeping kids in the hallways in line, she is constantly working to try and help the school in whatever way she can. I feel terrible for not being able to do more. We can only rehearse music, on average, for 20 minutes of the 50 minute class because the students break into a rebellion if they are forced to work anymore than that.
We are able to do some small amount of learning at the beginning and end of class through videos. Usually that includes watching Pentatonix and creating snap-clap games to them or, since I have been there, teaching them the way the voice works by showing obscure voice types such as countertenors and contraltos. I had never thought watching videos would be a good way to spend class time but at least it keeps these kids listening to music and thinking about singing while in choir class even if they refuse to do it themselves.
I am thoroughly frightened of what the next eight weeks will be like. I can already feel my patients being stretched to the breaking point and I am developing a wall against caring whether I come off as me. I shudder at what my attitude will end up being.
For today's songs, these are the two pieces I played for the students. See if you can tell which is male and which is female. (SPOILER!: the beginning of the second video will give it away!)
Unfortunately the videos aren't showing up on my iPad right now, but I'll check back later and see if I can figure it out! Sounds like we have almost exact opposite placements right now, and both our placements are quite different from our first placements. I know that we will both end up becoming better educators because of this! I'm glad we get to be in the same blog group so we can communicate back and forth more and focus specifically on vocal music education. Keep your head up, and always remind yourself exactly why you want to be a music teacher, whatever the reason may be! Feel free to contact me any way you want if you ever want to talk!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like your placement is going to be a really interesting experience! I have also found that student behavioral issues really test your teaching skills. While our experiences are probably very different, I found that if you can make any sort of connection with your students it will help them listen to you. Find out what makes them tick and why they do the things they do.
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