[HANASHIR:7964] Re: Help with 7th Graders...

[K. B. <kbmusic...>]

All this talk about the upper grades reminds me of one of my first experiences 
teaching this age group.  The seventh graders at my first pulpit sat with their 
arms crossed each Sunday morning, as I tried to excite them.  I basically kept 
at it, but felt at a loss the entire year.
Fast forward to that class' confirmation preparation, and they shocked me with 
requests to sing "all those fun songs we used to sing in Sunday School".
You just never know.....
Karen




---------- Original Message ----------------------------------
From: Ketzev2 (at) aol(dot)com
Date: Thu, 18 Jan 2001 12:25:10 EST

>Hey there all--
>
>Since there isn't any "one right way" to approach this, it is important to me 
>that I look into myself first when working into the challenge of this age 
>group. I hearken back to "Mr. Holland's Opus" and how he finally found 
>success by drawing parallels to what it was that excited his kids. One thing 
>that is for sure is that these kids have (or think they have) a clear idea of 
>what they DON'T like. The trick is understanding what they DO like and 
>reaching that end. 
>
>IMHO that comes down to two things. Song that they perceive as "cool" and 
>that have a GREAT beat or a "hook" in old rock and roll terms. This is 
>paramount to this age group. Being "cool" is essential to these kids, because 
>if the music isn't, then they aren't!
>
>Rock beat songs have been the Backbone of NFTY songsessions now for 25 years. 
> Or Zarua, Not by Might, Heiveinu, just to mention a few. There are newer 
>ones too. 
>
>Find them, learn them (very, very well) and then teach them. If you sell it 
>right, it will go along way.
>
>One last point. 7th graders are fascinated by great musicianship. If you play 
>your instrument really well, this too can be an ally in the classroom.
>
>Good luck--
>
>Steve Dropkin
>Birmingham, AL
>
>
>
>

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