Today we received notification that we are going to start our year all-online for our instruction. While we had been told for several weeks that things my go this way in my county, the announcement came in the midst of planning for a hybrid model of schooling when we return.
Now? We’re 100% virtual, at least at the beginning of the year.
As I’m sure you’re aware, teachers all across America at all levels are scrambling to learn the standards and best practices for all-new classes due to reshuffling and Covid distancing guidelines. The same is true for us here. In addition to the middle and high school programs, I am now the proud owner of a Brand!.. New!..
5th grade General Music Claaaaass!
C’mon down!
Seriously, though, I’m actually looking forward to it. I haven’t taught elementary music in 13 years. In 2008, I was a long-term music sub for four months. I really enjoyed it; I also was very happy to teach the older kids.
But it’s all coming back to me. And I want to get them playing something, not just learning about music.
In our current schedule we only have the kids for nine weeks and then the kids switch to another Related Arts class. Back in the day (last week), my original plan for the hybrid model was to do a two week unit on recorder basics with them. Each kid would get their own recorder, and I’d do an online Recorder Karate curriculum with them.
Now that we’re all virtual, I’m not sure how I’m going to get all these recorders to the kids…
… nor if I’ll get them back.
I’m anticipating that there will be some parent at some point who will lose their cool and snap one of these puppies in half by the end of the year. I may be a music teacher, but I when my daughters pull their recorders out (bless their hearts), I can’t stand it! I can’t fathom how beginner recorder will sound to adults who are not so musically inclined.
But…
We do what’s best for the kids, right?
Not what’s best for their parents’ sanity.
Otherwise, we wouldn’t have gone all-virtual in the first place!
God bless! 🙂
YHWH's Janitor 