Mmmm summer, time for warm weather, late nights, barbecues, and wide open roads just aching for the rumbles of car tires on long road trips. Quite a long stretch from the daily grind that most teachers and students face during the long school year. I found myself this past year really stretching myself to a breaking point trying to please others around me whether it be the students, the other teachers, or the administration. All the extra effort put in to make others happy drained my creativity and drive to do things that made me happy, things that allow me to wake up every day looking forward to something other than going back to bed. My summer has only been about 3 weeks long but already the things I’ve accomplished over those 3 weeks and the time I’ve had to slow down, reflect, and RELAX has overwhelmingly helped my brain catch up with life. Slow down, reflect, and relax..isn’t that what summer vacation is all about? To spend what ever time you have enjoying the things that you have trouble finding time for during school? Take it slow, really look at what you’re doing, reconnect, enjoy, further your knowledge and prepare yourself for September!

Even though my todo list this summer is a hundred miles long I keep chugging through it. Why? because I feel the more I complete the better person I’ll be. I constantly am looking for ways to be better and rise above the rest. Most of this stuff ends up on my to do list and it takes eons for me to cross it off..but isn’t that any music teachers life? You think of a new and creative idea or you find one at a conference and put it on your to do list but when it gets busy it gets pushed to the side over and over again. It’s time to take charge of the to do list, I personally and determined to complete everything on it not only to make my life easier but to gain that feeling of accomplishment and the thought that I’ve done something good. The thought that I am doing good keeps me going, it should keep everyone going. One thing you cross off your to do list can do so much good even if you don’t realize it.

Look up the song, great to teach to the young and old. Originally from Africa the translation means “The rock has crushed my hand Grandma, The rock has crushed my hand”. I usually sing it, make up a story about it to tell the kids about a rock crushing the boys hand, then We all sing it. After that I add drums usually using the rhythm Ta Ta Ta TeeTee. It goes for 8 measures. You can switch up the beat if you would like, as long as it fits it’s alright. We play drums then we sing again, then we play and sing. This activity can usually last 30-40 minutes depending on the age.

Did you know that the now popular music of Bhutan does not stem from it’s traditional folk music? It is one of the few that do not! Folk music is the foundation for a lot of popular music in many countries such as the US and England that we hear on the radio today, but Bhutan completely disconnected from their traditional music to create their popular music today. Bhutan is a small country right in the area of the Himalayas near Nepal and India. It was once one of the least developed countries in the world and in a few short years a lot has changed.

If you are not the only specials teacher in your school (Most of the time specials teachers include P.E, Library, and Art teachers) Try teaming up with them and put on a performance. You could all work together to bring the school together for one large performance with each grade using a culture and the Art teacher could have them do crafts relating to that culture, the P.E. teacher could do dances or children’s games, the librarian could relate it to books or movies, and you of course could handle the music. Do at least a few weeks of this unit with each grade or class as they come around to you in their weekly rotation. You could practice for it choosing songs for each grade that they could sing to or have the older kids do instrument performances (African drum circle for instance). At the end put a concert on for the parents and the school to show off what you and the other special teachers have been working on with the students. Decorate the performance space with all the art projects, have a few classes do some dancing on stage, have some sing songs, and maybe they librarian could have some small groups come up from each grade and do a small presentation talking about each culture.

         Make this performance something to remember because it would be great advocacy to let the school and the parents know that specials are not just for show, they have a well deserved place in the curriculum.

          This performance could take the place of a spring general music concert if desired!

Start small, maybe sing a song that is in a different language, play a song that is traditionally from another country (be sure to mention where it is from and if you can find the meaning behind it that would be even better!) Videos are a great way to show students performances that could have taken place millions of miles away. Another trend that is happening in schools is African drumming. It promotes health and wellness, rhythm, and is very hands on when it comes to learning. Drums can be very cheep especially if it is for educational purposes! Remo Kids percussion is a wonderful set that is inexpensive and the drums can take a beating and still work!

Tips of the day!