Just like everyone else in the state of Texas, the last two days have been our first round of standardized testing. We have another round the last week of April.
As a music teacher, I get to be a part of the army that it takes to get this chore done properly.
Because of the reality of testing I like everyone else is a little out of my ordinary groove for this time of year, but it’s been a while since I’ve posted so I wanted to leave you with an experience that I had yesterday.
My choir is part of the afterschool program. This is really great because then I don’t have to worry about transportation. However when there is testing, there is no afterschool program.
Yesterday while I was monitoring a bus line during dismissal I overheard some of my 5th grade boys talking about choir and how much they liked it. When they saw me, they made sure to tell me that they would rather stay for choir than go home. They also wanted me to know that choir was their favorite thing and that they liked the songs we were singing and couldn’t wait for our next practice.
During these days of silent testing, this little conversation was music to my ears!
I went home happy!
That's great to get such nice feedback from 5th Grade boys!! Kudos to you!! Now of course I want to know what songs they are singing!!
I don't have nearly as many 5 th grade boys in my choir as I would wish, but those who volunteered are enjoying the music so much! For choir festival we are singing a piece by Jim Papoulis called Kusimama which has a percussion part that a few of my students will play as an accompaniment. We are also singing Skip! Skip! Shoo Fly Shoo by Mary Lynn Lightfoot and an arrangement of The Ash Grove from the textbook.
We are adding Fifty Nifty, I've Got Rhythm, Simple Gifts, There's a Little Wheel a Turnin' in My Heart all from our textbook and finally from Music Express we are including Seasons of Love from RENT and Count on Me by Bruno Mars….. They LOVE LOVE LOVE singing Bruno Mars and its a great song!