Here Goes Nothing

I only know what I've been told
And I was told what others know
And others know what they were told
And they were told what others know - The Dear Hunter - "No God"

Since my last blog post, I received some good news!  I was called by the district next to mine for the second round of interviews, which is a sample lesson. Tomorrow is the big day - teaching 5th grade trumpets (they start band in 5th grade there) how to play dotted quarter notes.  I'm very excited because it's a great district, close to home, and they might hire me!

I'm constantly reminded that in music education, there are few new ideas.  I think the quote that I used in the opening of this post pretty well sums up what I mean.  In my first interview for this district, I talked about introducing students to band instruments by bringing them into the general music classes for the students to try.  Advantages: it's a smaller crowd to control, it's easier to sanitize the mouthpieces, there are two sets of adult ears and hands to help the kids try the instruments, etc. When I was talking to my parents about the interview after the fact, I said that I couldn't remember where I heard that idea and my mom reminded me that I heard it from her!  It was a great idea and it was well received by my interviewer.  It wasn't a new idea and I didn't come up with it myself, but at this point in my teaching career, all I really have to go on are the ideas of others and my brief elementary band experience during junior student teaching. 


So yeah, tomorrow is my interview.  I think I'm ready! I asked for the names of the students I will be teaching (a tip I picked up from my mom who picked it up from someone she interviewed once - see nothing new here) and made hanging name tags to put on the music stands.  That way, I can address the students by name and immediately have a connection with them.  I'm only a little nervous but I know that once I get going, the kids and I will all have fun and the nerves will go away.  I also wrote up a lesson plan and made it look all nicey nicey in case any of the people observing my lesson want to see it.  I practiced trumpet yesterday with my papa so I sort of have chops (well chops enough for 5th graders). I also made rhythm charts on pretty colors of construction paper to help explain counting the dotted quarters.  I found out from my interviewer that the students use the Kodaly counting system (ta, ti ti) in general music so I will use what the kids know instead of trying to get into the subdivisions right away. "You see, the dot is half the value of the note it's attached to...blah blah blah jargon jargon math math".  I only have a half an hour so I figure since it's an introductory lesson, I'll stick with what they know. Known to unknown. Holler Jerome Bruner!  


Also on the docket for tomorrow are a bike ride/jog/maybe both/maybe only one (pending this rain stopping) and an orchestra rehearsal.  I'm lucky to have 2 very athletic friends that are willing to run and bike with me.  I'm also lucky to have parents who are musicians and get me gigs! It's been forever since I've played in an orchestra so I'm really looking forward to the 2 rehearsals and a gig this month. 


Fingers crossed for my sample lesson in approximately 13 hours. Here goes nothing!