We Bee Makin' Music . . . AGAIN!

Any parents out there? 

If anyone is like we were, we took a zillion pictures of our first baby, three pictures of our second baby and none of our third and fourth babies!  Of course, those were the days before digi-cams and cell phones . . . actually before cell phones period, with or without cameras!

Looking back I see that I starting blogging long before the first We Bee Makin' Music class began, and now with the second class, we're already a week into it!  Ahhhh, parents and teachers!  Not so different.

And what a week it has been!  We have many returning students in our class and some new additions --- the new additions being Kindergartners.  Wow!  I was nervous about that at first, but each Kinder has an older sibling -- or two  -- who are there to help show them the ropes and to gently guide them through the process of answering questions, finding notes on the keyboard, and feeling comfortable in a crowd of new faces.

Hooray for Fall and Beein' back my Music Class!

We Bee Showin' Off

Wow!  I can't believe that the end is not only in sight, but will be rushing past me in just two days!

When I was a piano student, I hated recitals.  Memorizing anything --- words or music --- is something not easy for me and when I do manage to get something "committed to memory," time will erode it.  And quickly!  So when Mr G suggested an end of the year celebration, just the word celebration was enough to convince me to give it a try.

Each student is playing pieces he or she chose from themselves.  Most have their pieces memorized, but a few don't.  Is that a big deal with me?  Heavens, NO! 

And We Bee Makin' Music Bell Choir is playing!  . . . and singing.

I am so excited.  Excited for my students.  Excited for their program.  Excited to be looking forward to more Makin' Music next fall.

Oh, for the days . . . .

. . . when I had a student teacher and all I had to think about was what I was going to be doing in music class the next day.  Why, I even had enough time to think about what might Bee Happenin' next week!  And if my Baby Bees, aka music students, lingered after class time was officially over, no big deal, the awesome Mrs D was large and in charge back in the regular old schoolroom.  *big sigh*

But now!  I am busy as a bee (sorry about that terrible pun)!  Rush, rush, rush . . . writing lesson plans . . . ON THE WEEKEND!  Even Sunday afternoon, after all, they say that music is God's universal language, so what better thing to do on Sunday than plan music? 

But would I give this up for anything?  No, not even another hour's sleep each morning!  No, not even for more prep time at school!  No, not even for a million bucks . . . . oops . . . well, that will never happen anyway, so, no not even for a million bucks.

When the feet hit the ground . . .

. . . or should it be "when the fingers hit the keys?"  Either way, we've past the mid-point of the race (trimester) and are making steady progress.

I like teaching by giving students questions to think about, or by giving students examples/info and challenging them to come up with hypotheses.  Of course, these hypotheses may not be earthshaking when working with elementary students, but it was fun this morning to review the values of whole notes, half notes, and quarter notes, both the count value and the fractional value, before presenting A New Note and asking for the students' Best Guesses as to both the count value and the fractional value.  And Mr Third Grader came through with flying colors.  "An eighth note gets half a count," he said.

And *that* is how I managed to slip one of my old favorites, The Erie Canal into today's lesson.  "All right, students, listen to this song and raise your hand when you think you can hear the eighth notes." 

I wonder if I can find anything redeeming in Bill Grogan's Goat?

Din, Dan, Don . . .

I love to listen to French being spoken!  I love all those impossible sounding vowels.  I love all those silent letters at the ends of words . . . How does one ever learn to speak such a lyric language?  Moreover, how can anyone learn to read it?  Are all Zs silent or just the one in Rendezvous?  and what about -et?  Chevrolet, ballet, buffet, crochet, croquette, beret, Met Det (just kidding:  May Day!)

Ah, but here we are:

Frère Jacques, frère Jacques,
Dormez-vous? Dormez-vous?
Sonnez les matines! Sonnez les matines!
Din, dan, don. Din, dan, don.

Hummm. . . . when My Little Bees and I sing this in a round, would a French speaking person even recognize the song? Perhaps not, but we love it anyway!


AND . . . have you ever heard a round played by Tone Bells?  I'm sure we did an Excellent Job of playing Scotland's Burning this morning!  Oh, the joy of sharing joy with Little Bees!  Thank you, parents, for sharing with me.

Singin' A Round!

The thought occurs to me, is a blog a daily journal, or is it a collection of memories?  Or what is the difference?  In missing the last few days, I hope that I'm not behind, only slow!

This week we've sung several rounds, my all time favorite being Are you sleeping, Brother John?  I have a brother John.  He was always up and going long before his older sisters.  So this song isn't about him . . . unless it was the evening bells ringing.  Evening found him asleep, wrapped in a blanket in his bed.  My second favorite is Scotland's Burning.  I love the tune with its clever intervals, even a whole octave.  But what story is it telling?  I asked My Little Musical Bees this morning.  One girl said maybe the eggs on the stove caught fire!  That could happen at my house!

Next step, find the words in French to Frere Jacque so those morning bells can ring!

Ding, Dong Bell . . . .

I love to listen to hand bell choirs.  My sister-in-law's parents were in the bell choir in their congregation for years.  For several years, Christmas Eve found me in their quaintly beautiful little chapel in St Anthony, Idaho.  What a treat!

So, We Bee Makin' Hand Bell Music?  Why not?  And we've already practiced Mary Had a Little Lamb and Old MacDonald on the pianos / keyboards.  We know the variations to the tunes.  So yesterday I promised the kids A Big Surprise for tomorrow! 

I used the copy machine to blow up the musical scores -- sounds pretty official saying "score" -- and then used markers to color code the notes to match the color of the hand bells. 

And then like so many techniques introduced these last two weeks, I was totally surprised to realize I needed to teach the students how to hold the bells, hold to sound the bells, and how NOT to touch the clappers!  Ding, dong!  Ding, dong!

Old MacDonald needed five bells to play the melody, but Mary's Little Lamb only needed four.  So I passed out the five bells, some tambourines,  jingle bell shakers and a triangle and away we went to visit the ducks on Old Mac's farm.  Beautiful!  Amazing!  Awesome!  Sounded almost as good as the St Anthony Bell Choir -- almost!

Turned our attention to Mary Had a Little Lamb.  La Maestra counted out the intro:  one, two, three, four; one, two, ready, go.  -- Ugh!  What?  How?  Why?

Stop!  Stop!  Stop! -- cutting my choir off with a clap of my hands! Disbelief!  How could we go from awesome to awful?

Little Mr R politely raised his hand, "Mrs Smith, don't you need to hand out the yellow bells for this song?" 

Uhhmmmm, yes, yes, thank you for pointing that out!  Clearly an orange bell cannot be substituted for a yellow bell!

Thankfully we are all learning together!

Over the waves

The new songs for today were Oscar the Octopus and Deep Sea Diving.  After Old Mac and Mary's Little Lamb, these were easily recognizable as simply Studies in Steps and Skips -- and even the first graders recognized it.  It might have been better if they had a fancy French name like études dans les étapes et les sauts but they didn't.


And being studies in steps and skips, it only took once or twice through the "songs" and everyone was playing them "by heart".  By heart, but not by reading, not with the correct fingers . . . but perfectly by heart.

AABBA

Sometimes just to entertain myself, I'll google some crazy thing.  Something like AABBA.  It happens to be the melody pattern for Old MacDonald Had a Farm, but now I also know -- or was reminded -- it is the rhyming pattern for a limerick.  Maybe we'll save Limericks for next St Patrick's Day.

Speaking of Old Mac and his farm, we did a splendid job playing together this morning.  I was thinking of saying "bang up" but sometimes colloquialisms lend a suggestion one doesn't really want to make -- really, really!

Update on the continuing evolution of how I see We Bee Makin' Music:  Before the class started, I was certain that I didn't want headphones for the keyboards.  I blithely believed that I wanted to be able to hear every single note my little song scholars played.  After the first day, I made a rule that headphones must be plugged in unless / until I gave The Order to unplug them.  And, you've guessed it, we're right back where we started from.  No more headphones plugged in.  That way when somebody thinks that listening to a Jazz Demo is more exciting that Farmer Mac and all his quacking ducks -- and it is -- I'll know about it.  I know about it Right Now!

Picture this:  Big Ol' Smile on my face.  Happy, happy kindergarten teacher voice (sorry to all you k-teachers).  "Oops, let's get our keyboards back to Grand Piano."  

Best Day Ever!

Old MacDonald Had a Farm . . .

. . . and on this farm there were some kids . . . ee-i-ee-i-oh! . . . who were trying to learn to play the piano.

Some thought it was a great idea to practice EVERY night!  Yip-pee-yie-yay!

Some thought it was a super idea to do their Fun Home Assignment EVERY night!  Thunderous Applause!

Some thought it was a fantastic idea to come to Music Class EVERY morning!  Tears of Happiness!

For them, Mrs Smith is doing the Happy Dance!

Like the Thrill that'll Gitcha . . . .

.  .  . when you gitcha pitcha on the cover of the Rolling Stone.  

Yep, Mr G called the newspaper.  The reporter came to class this morning.  Didn't take any pictures of me --- so I will NOT have to buy five copies for my mother!  But she took pictures of some of our little students --- looking serious at their keyboards.

She asked about their favorite things and their least favorite things.  It was funny that for each question, some of the answers were the same: "playing hard songs,"  "playing easy songs."

My favorite part of We Bee Makin' Music?  It was a surprise to me yesterday when I realized that I am more excited about Keyboarding Days than Singing and Music Appreciation Days.  A happy accident!

Another question for me:  Do I hope this class continues next year?  

Yes . . . have some new ideas up my sleeve. 

Wearin' o' the Green . . .

Oh, the luck of the Irish!  Mr G, our fearless leader, visited class this morning!  I used to quake a little inside when The Principal, or *better yet*, the Superintendent, or a School Board Member walks into my classroom, but Mr G?  He's not soo scary!

It is cool how ideas evolve.  When I was anticipating how teaching a group music class would work, the most important item on my list of Must Haves was headphones for each keyboard so kids could practice *quietly*.  That *quiet* practice time is still important, but I've noticed that our Little Music Makers are prone to wonder if no one can hear what they are doing.  They are really jazzing up their morning music experience . . . and we haven't even talked about Jazz yet!  So, first keyboard skill the kids need to know: how to return to Grand Piano Mode!  . . . of course, then comes how to find any C on the keyboard, and it goes on and on from there.

I've come to believe that whole group practice is a must for some students.  They really don't want to practice unless they have to.  --I know, many of you are shaking your heads at this electrifying discovery!  And group practice is not the horrid, chaotic cacophony I thought it might be!  Each time through the piece, there is audible improvement.


Yep, I think we just might Bee Makin' Music!

Bad "Here" Day . . . .

. . . . it might have been because it is Picture Day today and some had get their hair absolutely perfect . . .

. . . . it might have been because it was a Dreary, Blucky Day, with rain falling and wind blowing and going out before the light of day was just more than one could handle . . .

. . . . it might have been because the Car Wouldn't Start, that happens . . .

but only half my class showed up this morning!  *sad face* 

Since today was a keyboard lesson, I'm thinking we are going to be talking about minor and major keys again tomorrow.  We'll be singing (more likely *counting*) that song about the Volga Boatmen again tomorrow.  And, lo and behold, we'll be singing and counting the song about Falling Rain again!

But we will make time just before class is over to sing one more rousing round of McNamara's Band.  After all, tomorrow we'll all be "wearin' o' the green" and searching for people to pinch who might have forgotten!

She'll Be Comin' 'Round the Mountain . . . .

. . . when she comes! 

Who knew it was a railroad song?  A building the railroad song!  "She" is the supply train bringing food and other "refreshment".  Can't beat that with a stick!

This morning, we sang a couple of railroad songs.  Folk Songs.  Real folk songs with forgotten originals and different versions. 

This is what I learned (again) today.  Don't count on remembering the words to "I've Been Workin' on the Railroad" just because I've been singing longer than I can remember.  Put me in front of a crowd (even a crowd of 18 little kids) and sure as the world, I will forget the every other line of a song.  Good thing for little boys who know the words!

"Piano" Lesson

Monday.  Piano Lesson Day.  Practice reading notes.  Practice counting time.  Practice using the right hand in the treble clef.

One little girl sadly said to me after I had change her hands, "But I'm left handed."  Oh, my!  I assured her that her left hand would get a turn!

Tomorrow!  Singing Day!  Can't wait!  It's only a day away!

Running to Catch Up to Myself

So Thursday morning after Music Class, my thoughts were all about the things I take for granted about my fourth grade students:  they know their left hand from their right hand; they know that when I say "leave your headphones plugged in" I mean it; and, when playing a scale, you use all five fingers!

Oh, no, that sounds like an Old School Marm!

It was sweet to realize what an exciting journey learning to play the piano is going to be for my little first and second graders. 

Friday morning we went on a "field trip" to visit an orchestra!  --we walked all the way to the School Building to the room with the SmartBoard.  I love how interactive a lesson can be using a SmartBoard.  The "visit" was simple, video clips highlighting instruments from the String, Brass, Woodwind and Percussion families.  The last clip was of our own "Fastest Drummer you never heard of," none other than Mr Gentile.  I snatched his video from youtube.  Nothing is sacred!  I'll snatch anything for educational purposes! 

Early to bed, early to rise, makes one healthy, wealthy and wise . . . I'm hoping so!  But regardless, early morning Music School is great!

Best Laid Plans

. . . oh, yes, those lesson plans written weeks ago.  It only took me half way through Day One to realize that Reality doesn't always equal what had been anticipated.  hummmm . . . . That's called Rolling with the Punches, I guess.

McNamara's Band

Monday night I was studying furiously Chapter 6, "More Crazy Ideas for Piano Group Class" from my new Bible, 101 Ideas for Piano Group Class (and crazy suits me fine).  "Pick your favorite folk song."  Hummmm . . . Farmer in the Dell . . . Itsy Bitsy Spider . . . . Old McDonald . . .  I guess I'd have to actually have feelings of "like" before I could have a favorite from that list.  Not that I dislike any of those ditties, per se, but "favorite" . . . not even. 

Then from the far back recesses of long ago memory came a song I hadn't thought of for years.  McNamara's Band.  I had no idea about the origins of the song, but I was certainly taught it by my Folks . . . so for me, hey, my "favorite" folk song.  It took a while to come up with all the words to the first verse . . . even longer for the chorus.  Back in the sixties . . .yes, the nineteen sixties . . . without air-conditioning, radio, DVDs, MP3s or, heaven forbid, DSs, my parents packed up their brood of ten darling (I'm sure) children and off we went across the plains -- not in a covered wagon, but a station wagon, and to entertain us, they taught us all sorts of silly songs which we sang at the tops of our lungs and McNamara's Band was one of Dad's favorites.  Ah, yes, then there was that last verse . . . something about "the only Swede in McNamara's Band . . . "   How in the world was I going to remember all those lines?

Then the thought, "Google it." 

Oh, the revelations!  Top Ten hit for Bing Crosby in 1945!  Written about the real life McNamara Brothers, John, Patrick, Michael, and Thomas!  . . . but still, my folks taught us the song . . . my FOLKS . . so, by Golly, McNamara's Band was the Folk Song of the Day today.


Ah, Dad, just for you, we'll learn this song.  We'll sing it at the tops of our lungs.  We'll bang the drums.  We'll clang the cymbals.  But we have no horns, no bagpipes, no bassoons.  But we'll learn more about those instruments . . . and very soon.

And Mom, just for you, we talked about AB patterns:  the verse, the chorus; the rhyming patterns at the ends of each line (which ends up being actually and ABCA pattern!  whoa!)

And how about some corned beef and cabbage on St Paddy's Day?  Yum!

Holy Guacamole!

We've now come to a Sad, Sad Day!  No, no, no, on the other hand maybe we should look at it as Happy, Happy Day --

Happy because we have so many interested, awesome, wonderful, cute, cute students!  We now have a student at every keyboard, including the "undersized" one that I hauled out from the Science Closet this morning.  We are now "stuffed to the gills" - full up -- ain't no mo' room!  Happiness is a Full House!   

Sad cuz I now have to start turning "walk-ins" away.  (But there is always next fall!)

I am amazed how the students love exploring the keyboards.  Admittedly a keyboard is much more interesting than "just" a piano, but their interest is impressive.

We didn't even get around to singing this morning . . . thank goodness for tomorrow.  Hummm. . . that reminds me of a song: Tomorrow! Tomorrow! I love ya Tomorrow! You're always A day A way! 

Yep, only a day away!

Monday, Monday . . . So Good to Me

Wow!  (That's my favorite!) . . . but this morning was really WONDERFUL!!!

We SANG!  We LAUGHED!  We had DOUGHNUTS!  We even LEARNED a thing or two!

. . . and we all SURVIVED!  (hahaha!)

No really!  Are you ever freaked out just before doing something new, something unfamiliar for the first time?  Or are there things that scare you almost to death no matter how many times you do them?  (Like speaking before an audience?)  Yesterday evening, that panic mode came over me!  I wanted to cry.  I wanted to hide (like where am I going to hide!).  My hubby was rolling his eyes (which he seldom does).  He's had to put up with me "getting ready" for the Music Class now for a good month now.  The craziest day was when we were driving to school one morning back in February, I was in panic mode and was yelling, "Bart . . . I can't teach children . . . "  I was then trying to decide between saying "music" or "singing" and he started laughing!  He said, "Listen to yourself.  Of course, you can teach children."  Sweet, sweet man!

Best of all:  we had three "walk-ins" . . . Wow!  Welcome! Welcome!

And Day One is behind us!  Super Day!

New List!

Old List:
Start Bulletin Boards - check
Email - check - check - check (fix those mis-typed addresses!)
Lesson Plans - they are somewhere on my desk, I know they are.

So, new list:
Add the last couple of students to the roster
Make folders up for those last couple students!
Find and print pictures of some "classical" composers
Finish up the Bulletin Boards
Take my Beethoven statuette to the Music Room
Find those lesson plans, practice the Song of the Day for Monday!

Listen to some Johnny Cash to calm me down!

Cross one more day off the calendar!  One day closer to The Next Big Adventure! 

I am sooooo excited

The Blues they send to meet me!

The Blues! What the heck are they?  Feelings of sadness?  Feelings of anxiety?  Feelings of being overwhelmed?  But why do people listen to The Blues?  To feel worse?  . . . or to feel better?  Depends, I guess on the day, the song, and the person.

I'm thinking that today, I've got The Blues --- the "I don't know what the first day of Music School is gonna be like Blues."  So, what am I going to do about this?  I'm going to feel sorry for myself for another thirty seconds, and then I'm gonna make me a list (well, another list), and then I'm going to right on it!

List:
Finish this post
Email the parents
Start putting up bulletin boards
Dust off the lesson plans for the first week that have been written for three weeks! (Yes, I'm excited, too!)

Okay, back to The Blues.  They are soulful, mournful, but always poetic and sometimes despite being "The Blues" they can make you feel better.  Here are my First Day of Music School Blues.

Got me a music class out in the backyard,

Yeah, I say, got me a music class out in the backyard,

But, I'm tellin' you now, it ain't gonna be hard.

hummm . . . first attempt at the AAB line pattern wasn't too bad, but, it nothin' to write home about!  But, I'm feeling better already!

 The blues they send to meet me won't defeat me -- It won't be long till happiness steps up to greet me.