What a week. I was so sick, but not sick enough to miss a day teaching. Actually, I did go home early on Tuesday, I had absolutely no voice left, and my throat was burning. Too much to do to get ready for report cards and the Christmas concert, which for us comes early on Dec. 9th. I am still introducing music. It's going to be tight, but we'll pull it off. We have an awesome school with an awesome staff.
How do I cope? I come home, and have a nice, warm mug of green tea and try to get in a hot bath, and an early bedtime. It's hard though, with all those songs running through your head. It seems I'm always practicing, or figuring out how to make something better.
How do you get through it all? I'm pretty proud of grade two today. We are staging the Friendly Beasts, and today we worked on their singing voice. To get the beginning pitch without piano, I had them first think, breathe, and then sing. Works almost every time! They will be in five groups, donkeys, cows, sheep, doves and camels. Each group will sing a verse, with them all singing the final verse. They will look lovely with their animal ears, and tshirts made to represent each animal. Hopefully, they will sound as good as they look. I'm also proud of grade four, my class. They are doing a song from Radio J-O-Y called Mooove, Baaaaack, which is a jazz piece done from the perspective of the cows, sheep, and Mary's donkey. One of the cows is going to be playing the boom, chick a boom, chick a boom on the suspended cymbal. Great song if you're still looking for something for that age. We practiced our jazz walk throughout the hallways of the school, fitting in DPA while we were at it. Talk about integration!
Huge thank yous today to Laurel and Val, who helped me by giving me time today.
Being sick is tough because rarely can you access a music specialist for a substitute. I make a multi level folder of games, colouring, sheets, songs, etc...that I think anyone can do. I add fun things we have done and worked as we do them for some tried and true activities.
ReplyDeleteOverall, I know to be the best teacher I can be means staying home if I am sick and not just powering through an illness. The kids will be fine!
Cheers!
I love your ideas about staying home and activities for a sub! We are better off healthy for sure!
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