[HANASHIR:3285] Re: It doesn't always work with 11 year olds

[Meris Ruzow <meris...>]

How often are your 6th grade music classes scheduled?   We used to have them
come in every sunday.   They were pretty good for 6th graders, but this year
we spread it out a little more and then when they DID come they were much
more happy about being there.   Try to stick in a couple of parodies, have
them try writing something (maybe to a melody they already know)...
intersperse the stuff you need to teach them with the fun stuff.    As Karen
said, they're at a stage that is difficult, but it will pass.   One week can
be great, the next awful.   That's how it is with them.   Do not take it
personally.... just keep exposing them to the great variety of stuff out
there.   Also, don't feel like you have to play for them all the time.   Put
on some Craig Taubman, Sam Glaser CD's and let them hear the myriad of
styles.   Kids this age also love klezmer music; you can get into some mini
orchestration/aural identification lessons while they're listening!

Good luck!
Meris Ruzow
Schenectady, NY
-----Original Message-----
From: DurlKare (at) aol(dot)com <DurlKare (at) aol(dot)com>
To: hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org <hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org>
Date: Monday, June 21, 1999 7:44 AM
Subject: [HANASHIR:3284] Re: It doesn't always work with 11 year olds


>I've taught 6th graders at the Temple for about 6 years now, and I can
>honestly say "I've been there" when it comes to lack of participation in
>singing in the classroom.  After some failed attempts at introducing music
to
>the class as part of our Prayer curriculum, I had a few successes.  That
is,
>I actually got the whole class singing joyfully a couple of times, actually
>on a very silly Chanukah song, and I got them to really listen to a couple
of
>my slower, more meaningful songs, and I even got them to ask for music a
>couple of times!  I keep those positive experiences in my mind, knowing
that
>lack of participation by preteens on a Sunday morning is not a rejection of
>me, of Jewish music, or of Judaism...it will pass, and there will be other
>good moments.  For me the lesson is, if they're not into it, let it go and
>move on to something else, rather than take it personally or get upset.
Yes,
>respect is important, and I demand it of my students, but I also have to
>respect them...it's really not easy being a teenager these days.  This
>experience has taught me to have the same patience with my own kids...the
>difficult moments WILL pass.
>
>-Karen D.
>
>
>

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