In Their Words: After the Pop Show

With the pop show behind us, let’s see what stayed with some of my students.

Question 1: What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you think about the concert?

Pizza!!!

Doing a little dance on the stage and my sister and dad not going to see me perform.

“Firework” by Katy Perry. Those two things will always be connected in my mind. Everyone seemed really happy and confident while they were singing and it was just a great thing to be a part of.

I think of how all the choirs together, we had a lot of people singing.

It’s going to be scary because of people watching you.

Singing, Pizza, and Singing…again

The big slices of pizza we had.

How do you feel about performing/not performing in the concert? Are you happy about it?

I think it was kind of fun, but I don’t like being on the back riser because I’m afraid of hights and it was bouncy.

Normal, No because I’m used to it.

Yes, it was very fun.

Pretty good, and I am happy about it because we did AWESOME! Everyone worked so hard and it totally paid off!

OK because I don’t think I can sing so I would rather not perform.

It sucks because I could of went.

It was good because I got to cheer for my fellow members.

It was very fun and exciting.

good alsome

yes, I think my chior group song very well.

Did you sign up for choir next year? If not, do you wish you had? Why or why not?

I don’t think I did. I don’t know why though.

Yes. YES. YES.

Yes But it Doesn’t Matter cause I moving to Katy

I don’t really remember what classes I picked but im not sure I would because I don’t know if my friends did

I don’t think I did (I don’t really remember what I signed up for) because I didn’t learn that much because you had to get onto us a lot. I really enjoyed Honor Choir though.

YES! It’s going to b e SO much FUN! There’s going to be so many new experiences and memories to add to the ones I have now. Plus, I’ve never been in actually Honor Choir class, they’ve always been rehearsals. It’ll be nice to have a class with everyone I would barely see on a day-to-day basis.

No, No because I’m NOT interested in choir anyMore.

Yes! I did because I love choir.

LA DUH!!! Yes, I signed up for choir next year.

no. I don’t wish I had because I wanna try new classes and I had choir for a whole school year.

No, but I would like to try for honor choir though I didn’t sign up because I hate a lot of people in choir. Or…I hate how they act.

What is your favorite memory from choir?

…Sing Rock & Dance night.

My favorite memory is whenever we did kareoke (IDK how to spell it)

Going crazy in honor choir, and eating food

Story time. It was one of the times that people would be quiet.

Probably singing “Firework” or anything to do with Honor Choir! There’s a ton of great memories and I can’t really pick a favorite.

My favorite memory from choir was when we sang through 900 miles and nearly everybody sang and it sounded really pretty and smooth.

The thing with games and Pizza because It was fun and cool

Everyone behaving for once, instead of being annoying.

Singing together as a group.

What did you think about the solo performances? Would anything have made them better?

The soloists did great sounded great and Ms. Parks did great 🙂 !!!

They were ok. Yes they needed to sing louder and need more practice on their lyrics.

I thought they were very awesome but some people did forget the words once onstage. Also some people could have moved around a little more myself included.

If we had practiced more and turned the music down. Also clapping is distracting.

Is there anything else you want to tell me about choir or the final concert?

No…just that WE DID AWESOME! Than’s all. And that I can’t wait until next year! Now that really is all I wanted to say.

Nope except (I don’t know if this counts) I really liked honor choir. It was fun.

I think with a tiny bit more practice and monitering we would be almost perfect.

FUN FUN FUN!!!!!

Choir is fun and we do some songs I like.

In Their Words, Part III: Reflecting on the Concert

I have a confession to make: I didn’t let all of my students perform in the concert. When I was first contemplating doing this, I had mixed feelings. I felt like excluding kids from the concert would send the message that I was giving up on them, and it also felt like cheating.

But, I’m so happy I did this, and I’ll tell you why in just a second. First, here was my criteria for deciding whether or not they could participate:

1. If they had consistently participated in class, and had consistently demonstrated appropriate behavior, they were required to perform. Concert participation = their performance grade.
2. If they had not consistently participated in class, but had consistently demonstrated appropriate behavior, they were required to attend the performance, but were asked not to participation. Concert attendance = their performance grade
3. If they had not consistently participated in class or consistently demonstrated appropriate behavior, they were required to complete a written assignment. I told them they weren’t quite ready for this performance, but were definitely capable of  getting prepared for the next concert if they participated more and made positive changes to their behavior. Written assignment = their performance grade

Now for the reasons why I’m so happy I did this:

1. I’ll admit the first one is selfish, but it was such a relief to basically not have to worry about behavior. I knew there were be some chatting, but I did not have to worry about the students doing anything seriously inappropriate. This was especially a relief during the dress rehearsal when the only adults in the room were the accompanist and myself, and I was only working with one choir at a time on stage. There other students were in the audience, behind my back. Not a good position for a teacher to be in.
2. Setting a very high standard of performance readiness, and sticking to it, showed all of the students the importance of hard work during class-time and increased the value of the performance. The students who got to perform knew that their diligence had paid off, and the students who didn’t get to were (hopefully) shown the significance of their lack of effort.
3. Increased motivation for the next concert: When I showed the video of the concert to ALL of my students, I saw awe in the eyes of those who didn’t get to perform. They watched the video extremely closely, and wrote thoughtful responses on their “Concert Evaluation.” The majority of them said they were disappointed they didn’t get to perform, were proud of their peers, and looked forward to the next concert. I feel really confident that setting this high standard, and sticking to it, will pay off as we prepare for the final concert.

And now back to their words… 🙂

Concert Evaluation Questions

Question 1: How do you feel about not performing in the concert?

Bad because I could of been there. 8th grade boy

It was exciting to watch others in the concert. This 7th grade boy is well-behaved but never sings in class, so I asked him to attend the concert but not perform.

Question 2: How do you feel about performing in the concert? Are you happy about it?

I was kinda nervous at first. I don’t think I wanna do another performance, cause it was nerveracking. 8th grade girl

Yes it was fun and concert came out great 8th grade girl who has seriously resisted being in choir and outwardly expresses her frustration, but manages to remain positive most of the time.

Happy because not everybody got to go. 8th grade boy

Question 3: Do you look forward to our next concert? Why or why not?

Yes. I’ll try. Same 8th grade boy from the first question. This boy has sung probably two times throughout the whole semester. I’ve also had to send him to the office multiple times for disruptive behavior and have called home several times. It is amazing to read that he wishes he could have been there – assuming this is in an honest answer.

Yes, because I like the song’s they sing. 8th grade boy. This boy has never sung in my class, and was asked to attend the concert but not participate. 

Yes, I look forward to performing especially with the Honor Choir. Also I wanted to see how we had grown as a class. 7th grade girl who had an outside conflict and did not get to perform in the concert.

No. I’m afraid next time my grandpa will bring a camera. 8th grade girl

Yea because this one turned out better than I thought 8th grade girl

Yes, because there fun and cool. 8th grade boy

Question: Is there anything else you would like to tell me?

There is not really anything else. EXCEPT it was a lot better and more organized than I thought it would be. Same 7th grade girl

I like the group I was with. I got to meet a new friend while there 8th grade girl

Question: What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you think about the concert?

My grandparents and mother being annoying. Same 8th grade girl as above who is afraid her grandpa will bring a camera next time.

How do you feel about the fact that I didn’t let all of my students perform? Do you agree with the criteria I set for whether or not they go to perform? Which response was most memorable for you? Thanks for reading!

In Their Words, Part II: Preparing for the Concert

Question: What about the concert makes you the most excited? What about the concert makes you the most nervous? Please list three goals for yourself for the concert.

1. I haven’t had a performance in the theatre lately.
2. nothing.
3. Sing legato when it needs to be sung, get my O’s sharp in “Joshua,” get the last part of Scarborough fair perfectly (7th grade girl)

Stage. People looking at me sing. Not to cry, do good, try and make people proud (7th grade girl)

1. That we are eating food and singing.
2. Nothing.
3. That we finish all the songs. That all the families come. That every student that told the teacher that they would come, comes. (6th grade girl)

1. I get to sing on stage
2. my voice might mess up
3. a) to do well b) stay still c) dont fall off the Risers (7th grade girl)

1. That we (the class) get to show people how beautifull our voices are.
2. Nothing.
3. My goals: 1. To sing loud enough so if people get lost singing, they could follow. 2. To look professional and Not move. 3. To follow directions and the teacher’s conducting so i know how to sing and to sing correctly: breath when im sopussed too, ext. (6th grade girl)

I am most excited by the fact that honor choir is performing. I am afraid of totally flubbing the words. 3 goals: I want to work on dynamics, I want to stay silent and still, I want to encourage my peers to spit out their gum, stay quiet and do their best. (PS) Now that you mention it…I don’t exactly want to fall off the risers either… (6th grade girl)

I really love having this writing activity right before the concert because it encourages the students to decide for themselves why the concert is important to them. It’s also so rewarding for me to see how many of them really care, and have been paying close attention to the specific things we’ve been working on all semester. I absolutely love reading their goals.

In Their Words, Part I: 4-day Weekend

My students have started getting bored with doing rhythm and melodic sight-reading examples for the “Do Now,” (warm-up activity) so I’m changing it up a bit by going back to short writing examples, like we had at the beginning of the semester. It’s a great way to start  the (90 minute) class in a focused, quiet way. Plus, they love writing about themselves, and I love learning about them. I also find it fascinating to compare their responses, see how unique each child is, and discover how diverse their writing abilities and lifestyles are.

Question: What are you plans for the long weekend? Would you rather sing karaoke or go outside at the end of class?

Well This weekend I am going to see my boyfriend I am going to stay home clean the house a lil and then i plan on making dinner Friday Saturday and Sunday.  And for easter i want to make confedie eggs for my bro and sis and lay them out on the park for them. OUTSIDE (8th grade girl)

For the weekend im gonna be with my dad and I am going to get a new phone and for easter Im going to be with me girlfriend and my family or hers don’t know yet (: (8th grade boy)

Question: Tell me about your long weekend. Please write at least three sentences. You will get extra credit if you write extra. 🙂

This weekend I had lots of fun. First I got to play with my neighbors. Then I went to church on easter. On easter I got lots of prizez an lots of CANDY! 🙂 I had lots of fun this weekend. I even go to crack eggs and play in water. (6th grade girl)

I stay home and watched movies. Some of my favorite movies I watched were The Help, RENT and the first part of Les Misreables. I had gotten The help for easter, and I have been singing RENT since I was 5. I loved Rent and can sing all the songs. I think in honor choir we should learn how to sing “Seasons of love.” During the weekend I also started researching Musicals I want to see/read. Unfortunately, my mother is strict on age rules, and we don’t rotate musicals often. My list so far is: Avenue Q, Cats, Wicked, Spring awakening, Lion King. (6th grade girl)

thursday I was in a car wreck. friday I went to a friend’s house. Saturday me and a friend went to her cousin’s B-day party. Sunday I went to church and then I went to my moms husbands friends house. yesterday I found out I was moving with my dad.(7th grade girl)

My Long Weekend was fairly uneventful. Most of my time was spent lying in bed watching anime in japanese and trying to figure out what the characters were saying without looking at the subtitles. One fun thing I did was go see the Hunger Games in the theater. It was pretty close to the book, but whenever something different from the book happened, my sister (who read the book recently) and I would point it out to my dad, who kept shushing us. Though I didn’t accomplish much, it was a welcome respite from school. (7th grade girl)

I had a sleepover. I chilled with some friends. I texted People. I called people I got on my facebook. I went to my grandma’s for easter. I was on my Roof and I was bored. THE END (7th grade girl)

I went to sanantonio. me and my mom went to a friends house. I had alot of fun. P.S. im not late because i was getting paper and i think its unfair and doesn’t make since. (6th grade girl)

I slept in for a while everyday. On April 8 my two little brothers and I got into a water balloon fight, in which I won. Then yesterday we got out the cascarones (conffetti eggs) and battled each other with those. I only used four eggs and saved the other eight for all of my friends. Yesterday I also had to do laundry and clean my room. (6th grade girl)

1. ok on Friday I stay Home & went to sleep Then cps came but luckly My brother was home. 2. Saturday left my House and went sHoping. 3. Sunday easter everything was fine but then my brother go into a accident and is in Jail for 2-10 years of Have to pay $20, 000 😦   (6th grade girl)

My weekend was great. Because I got me a new boyfriend and want skating and stayed out late and as with him and my friends and he came to my house and we want to the movies and this is how my weekend want. Than want to my Auntie house and want swimming and had a Easter egg hunt in the house and then eat our dinner and than want to sleep. (6th grade girl)

I had a wonderful weekend. We had easter dinner and i had some Bacon with mine cause im special! 🙂 Also i went to church, almost! Then, i played a video game with my brother, cause we got it for easter, and we played it all morning, afternoon, and till 11:30pm! We did that all weekend off! also, I tolk the dog nextdoor some dog biscuits and gave him new water. Also, for the dog next door, for easter we got him a little swimming pool to play in cause he also plays in his water bowl. He was so happy! 🙂 So My weekend was a blast! 🙂 (6th grade girl)

I had a great easter. I was with My family. We at barbq. But then again I wish My brothers could have been their. but they were with their dad’s. But then again I’m happy that they had fun and had time to spare with their dads. (6th grade girl)

Which response was the most memorable for you? Were there any contrasting responses that you found especially interesting?

Just When You Least Expect It

…these complicated children show how cute they can be.

I’m not ready to reflect on Sing, Rock, and Dance Night #2, or brainstorm about next week.  However, grades are due tomorrow, and I came across some wonderful responses while I was looking through their papers. I know what you’re thinking, “Why are these kids writing during choir?” The answer to that question is – I have 90+ minute classes! I have to break up the lesson somehow, and this is one of the ways I accomplish that. Starting with writing also helps us start class in a focused, organized way. It’s something the kids are used to from their other classes, but we’re gradually moving away from it. Lately we’ve been starting with short sight-reading examples, which is pretty exciting.

Here are some of my favorites, for so many different reasons. In response to the question: What do you want to be when you grow up? Did you want to be something else when you were a little kid?

1. When I was little I wanted to be a princess. But know I know I am a princess so now I want to be a teacher.
   
2. I whunt (want) to be a bufeshunow (professional) boxsr (boxer) and I can be winer so people can see me and I can do all the stuff with my friend.
3. When I was a little girl, I wanted to be a hime!  A hime is a Japanese Princess. I wanted to wear kimonos and eat with chopsticks and a katatsu everyday. Now, I have my whole future planned out year by year. It’s too long to put here though, so here are some of the basics: Go to Cornell University and meet Mr. Right. Become a writer, write two bestsellers, and a bestselling (?) then move to france and own a small farm in the countryside.
4. When I grow up I want to be able to go to college and take Japanese so I can go to Japan and be a translator/interperter. When I was little I wanted to be a ninja! 😛
5. I want to be a video game designer. When I was a kid I wanted to be a train driver.
6. I want to be a police officer. When I was a little kid I wanted to be a princess and be prettier than the rest of the world. 
7. When I grow up I want to be a professional dancer and choreographer. It has not changed ever since I was little.
8. When I grow up I want to be a singer, or teacher, Doctor, or vet, Movie star, Actor, and when I grow up I want to travle around the world!
9. I want to be a professional violinist for a symphony or an amazing orchestra. When I was really little I wanted to be an undertaker or wonderwoman.
   
10. When I Grow up I Really Dont know now But I know I want to Be famous. When I was little I wanted to Be a Singer or a teacher But know IDK.
11. I wanna be a teacher when I grow up Because I like dealing with children But like I wanna teach 1st or 2nd grade It seem fun to be a teacher and thats all. (But I’m going to Be a Great teacher)
12. As a small child I wanted to be an actress, a singer, a writer or a book critic. Now I really want to be an actress. But I mainly want to help the world with environmental and global issues. So, I might run for president and try and completely change our government. Because right now, its the people with a lot of money that get all the power, democracy or not.

In response to the question: What is your favorite song that we’ve learned so far? Why? What is your favorite activity?

1. My favorite song that I learned is the coffee coffee pop. 
2. My favorite song is Hey Ho. My favorite activity is solfege drills. I like the song because it has two parts and is fun to sing.
3. I love the coffe song. I like it because it’s fast, funny, and cool. I love when we sing I wish we could more of it.
4. The coffee song because I really like the tune and the complicated words. My Favorite activity from our class is kareoke (?) because it gets everyone singing and we all seem like we enjoy singing during it.
5. My favorite song in this class is Hay Ho because I like the way it sounds when we Autumn Canon it. My favorite activity is when we play games.
6. I like Old Joe Clark because in 5th grade it was an all-city song. Although this song is slightly different because I am an alto. I like karaoke and games. I’m sad I missed a karaoke day, last class. I also like when we have breaks to talk or sing in groups.
7. I like that song that are sing 16 stories high and every story in that house was full of chicken pie. I like it because it says that. No because they’re fun but I don’t get them.
8. I like Home to Oyster Bay because it’s longer and interesting. The end game and singing is fun for me. To Ms. : I’m sorry I don’t have a pencil today. I shall bring one next class. Thank you for your kindness. – Student

I hope you enjoyed these responses. I sure did! More to come about Sing, Rock, and Dance Night #2, and my upcoming plans with each class and school soon!

Final Moments

It’s really over. I officially have a semester of teaching experience under my belt. In a way, it is still very surreal that the fall semester has come to an end. I cannot believe I will have a whole new group of students in my classroom in less than two weeks. The task of basically starting all over feels very daunting right now…

But I guess that’s not really the point of this post. The point of this post is to talk about my last days with my very special, “first-students.”

I saw each class three times between the winter concert and the last day of school. My goal was for these final moments to be relaxing and fun. However, I did have them complete a performance evaluation as we watched the video of the concert.

Here are some of my favorite responses to the first question: Tell me the first thing that comes to your mind when you think about the concert.

         “When I saw how big the crowd was, butterflies came to my

         stomach.”

         “I was jumpy and happy. I couldn’t wait.”

         “How awesome we did!!!!!!”

         “It was fun singing on stage. I thought it was good.”

And from this question: Do you think the audience enjoyed the performance?

         “Yes, especially my mom and my family. Even my sister was

         singing, This Train.”

         “Suuush yea, did you see how hard they clapped??”

         “Yes, mainly because of all of the cheering and positive reviews

         from my family.”

I also asked them to share about their favorite memories from the semester. Here they are…

• Sing, Rock, and Dance Night – our fundraiser party that the whole school was invited to. We played guitar hero, dance dance revolution, rock band, and sang karaoke. Detailed post coming soon…
• Fall Concert
• Winter Concert
• Eating pizza at the concerts 🙂
• Learning the warm-up songs
• Learning The Moon and Minka songs from the Winter Concert
• Telling stories in class

I’m really happy I thought to ask the kids this question. It helped make our last day together more positive and reminded me of all of my favorite memories from the semester…

• Fall Concert – they sang beautifully and took the rehearsals more seriously. They were so nervous!
• I loved Sing, Rock, and Dance Night. It was utterly amazing that nothing fell apart and that the kids had a blast.
• It made me so happy when rehearsal would come to a halt, and the students would start telling each other random stories. At times like this I could believe that they weren’t thinking about who was CAP and who was Magnet, who was cool and who was annoying.
• It was incredibly rewarding when they were excited about picking out our warm-up songs for the day, and when they could evaluate their own performance.
• And one of the most surprising and amazing realities of our classroom, is that they sang by themselves on a DAILY basis, and thought sight-reading was fun (although they would never admit it! :D).

Yes, overall this semester was a huge success. I will remember these kids forever, and am hopeful that many of them will come back as 7th or 8th graders.

At the very least, I hope they remember their choir semester in the 6th grade as a positive experience.