Okay, so now I teach music
@GardenGerty (169406)
United States
January 31, 2017 10:02pm CST
I still have the same job, and it is always evolving. Fourth grade students are learning to play the recorder and read music. For any who do not know, a recorder is an inexpensive woodwind instrument with holes you cover with your fingers to produce different musical tones.
My fourth grade girl A is not coordinated enough to do this. She gets bored when the others are "testing" by playing the songs individually for the teacher. She sits and taps or pounds the instrument on the floor and distracts others and is rude. I told my supervisor what I had observed and what my concerns are. Other paras also have said this was not appropriate for A, but she does need to be in with her peers. The solution is that she is to become a drummer. Using a tom tom. I am teaching her simple rhythms and rests. She quickly wanted to run the show for that as well.
Now I have a life size image of a section of a piano keyboard. I will teach her the notes of the songs the students are playing on the recorders as well as the rhythms. Our special classroom has a keyboard, and she will get to play the same songs on it. At least that is our plan. We will see if she will let herself be taught. Or if she will follow the "conductor", me.
11 people like this
12 responses
@IvySaysHi (4603)
• United States
1 Feb 17
I wish I could learn to play the piano again. I used to play the recorder when I was in 4th grade!
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
2 Feb 17
I think fourth grade is the perfect time. It lets kids learn some fundamentals to decide if they want to go ahead and be in a band. It is not expensive to learn either. These recorders were purchased by the school but kids that want to buy them at the end of the year may do so for about three dollars.
1 person likes this
@IvySaysHi (4603)
• United States
3 Feb 17
@GardenGerty We had to buy ours from the school when i was in the recorder club
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
2 Feb 17
She would get really wild if given too many choices. The bongo is good for her. Learning it actually will help her reading and coordination.
1 person likes this
@Plethos (13718)
• United States
2 Feb 17
@GardenGerty - ive got a type of Djembe drum here that i like to beat the $### out of now and then. after 15 minutes, im good to go with lifeing again.

@much2say (57760)
• Los Angeles, California
1 Feb 17
@jhechorain I don't know how my father in law got started . . . but I'd often go over to their house, and he could be found playing the recorder at the kitchen table or playing the piano - he loved playing and composing music.
1 person likes this
@jhechorain (1198)
• Susanville, California
1 Feb 17
I haven't met any one who was liking playing recorder for an instrument except to learn it.
1 person likes this
@jhechorain (1198)
• Susanville, California
1 Feb 17
Awesome.
I know the recorder is a helpful instrument for helping to tune other ones like a guitar though. I love the piano but I don't know a thing about playing it.
I know the recorder is a helpful instrument for helping to tune other ones like a guitar though. I love the piano but I don't know a thing about playing it.1 person likes this

@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
2 Feb 17
I know that anything that broadens her world helps.
1 person likes this
@velvet53 (24417)
• Palisade, Colorado
2 Feb 17
@GardenGerty It sure will and you might just be the one who can make it happen.
@jhechorain (1198)
• Susanville, California
1 Feb 17
It is good they have a music program there. We don't even really have one here in this poor county. I'm glad too that the little girl found out she likes the drums. 

1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
2 Feb 17
She loves anything that lets her get extra attention. I am glad that the instructor is willing to work with her needs. So far Kansas is not cutting music, but it has less art than it used to at elementary level or the teachers have to develop it themselves.
1 person likes this
@jhechorain (1198)
• Susanville, California
2 Feb 17
I'm glad there are creative teachers who are willing to do that for their students. 
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
1 Feb 17
the waiting is hard for them, they need to participate, but need a side lesson often, because waiting their 'turn' when they have to wait on everyone is a bit much I think
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
2 Feb 17
She has an explosive temperment, suited to a two year old not a ten year old. It is always all about "me". It is hard for her to be in a group but not really able to be part of it. She loves the attention, so far, of learning about keeping a beat.
1 person likes this
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
3 Feb 17
@GardenGerty well that's pretty important too, so not just a 'keep her busy' job either
@KrauseHome (36445)
• United States
1 Feb 17
At least she is allowing you to be able to teach her some things. Does she have a learning disability, or just slower to learn things like Instruments and band? Or never had a desire before you started offering to help?
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
2 Feb 17
This young lady is labeled Intellectually Disabled. In the past she would have been called Mentally Retarded or Developmentally Delayed. She functions at about a first grade level in most areas. For instance books she reads are "pre readers". She is ten. She is also an "explosive child"
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
2 Feb 17
I started working in the "structured classroom" at the closest elementary at the end of August. We have four students on our caseload. Two are autistic, two are intellectually disabled. We modify and adapt everything for them to be with their peers as much as possible. Each of them really needs one on one teaching.
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (120545)
• United States
3 Feb 17
@GardenGerty Boy am I out of touch with your posts. I hope to rectify that.
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
2 Feb 17
She loves music and even some keyboarding and some listening Muskills will help her a lot. Music usually improves the mood of kids as well.
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
2 Feb 17
I tried to play one or two but no one ever taught me. I did play flute. I have lots of things in boxes here. No, there is never a dull moment, or a perfect day, but my brain is sharper and I have lost weight.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381815)
• Rockingham, Australia
2 Feb 17
@GardenGerty That's all good then! I'm a bit surprised you've lost weight. Have you not had as many opportunities to eat as usual?
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
2 Feb 17
In the area where I live we try to offer enrichment for everyone's lives. Help them be success in some way.
1 person likes this

@Friendlypink (3805)
•
1 Feb 17
How about singing? I would love to learn how to sing
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
2 Feb 17
When her music class is singing she really likes to participate. Your voice is really your first musical instrument.













