And here's a shot of my desk in the HVHS Music Department (that's my new IBook, Verdi):
I can't believe Week 6 is over already! 4 more weeks to go in Term 3, then a 2-week break, then 4 weeks of Term 4 and I'll be done! It's amazing how time flies!
This week went extremely well. I had 2 lessons that were less-than-adequate in terms of student focus and classroom management (both Year 9 classes, go figure... the equivalent of grade 8), and as a result I switched my focus to being more firm and/or stern when the situations warranted such a response. It worked wonders... my students were much better for the following lessons. They were more focused, more involved in the lessons, more concerned with putting their hands up to answer questions instead of calling out of turn, etc. (I even gave 2 detentions for girls who came late to class 3 times in a row... for the next class, they showed up early! Yay!). So while this week had its ups and downs, it certainly went well overall. I had another fun lesson with the Year 13s on Jazz History, where I had them listen to recordings that we hadn't studied in class, and they had to tell me which style they thought it was and why (i.e. "This is be-bop because it's a really upbeat tempo, the harmonic rhythm is fast, the solos are virtuosic and technically difficult," or "this is swing because there are full sections of saxophones and horns, the music sounds very arranged, and there is more of an emphasis on ensemble playing instead of improvised solos," etc.), and then they had to pin the title of the tune and the performers on the Jazz History timeline that we created at the back of the room. I'm really pleased with their understanding of the topic, and they seem quite interested as well, so consider this unit a SUCCESS! We only have a few more lessons in Jazz History left... I have to admit that I will be slightly sad to see this unit go. It's been fun!
ONE WEEK TO AUCKLAND!!!!!! :oD I'm so excited to spend the weekend making great music with great new friends! It will be really nice to get to know the people from Wellington Youth Choir a bit better - I have a few acquaintances in the choir, and I know lots of names and faces, but I haven't made all the connections quite yet. It will be a fun weekend for sure. :o)
I should run.... the comfy lounge, TV, and heater are beckoning me!
1 comment:
The tattoo design is pretty nice. Try sketching it to have the tail go all the way around to the top to be more of a circle...just wondering what that might look like...symbolically like the circle of life. Just an early morning thought while the caffeine kicks in.
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