[HANASHIR:4617] Re: 6th and 7th graders

[Shira Kline <shirlalala...>]

I've been teaching this age group music for years and I've certainly had my
share of difficulties, but I try my hardest to maintain my standard of fun as
well as good Jewish teachings.  Some things that have consistently worked very
well, are teaching in music units such as Chassidic music, Sephardic music, and
Yemenite music.  All of these kinds of music are very exciting musically as
well as have great stories behind them.  For example, music in Ladino is always
fun because of the rhythms and similarities to Spanish.  Chassidic music can
always be accompanied by great stories.  I like to teach music like "Ivdu Et
HaShem B'simcha", explaining what the Ba'al Shem Tov taught about how to pray
with happiness and joy.  So, the music itself is about enjoying the
experience.  I always have the kids creating rhythms on their desks or the
floor, I encourage dancing always.  My strict rule that the kids know by heart
now is that  if they want to dance or make rhythm, they must sing.  I also tell
them, and I know this sounds silly but we all know how many people forget to do
this when singing in public, that in order to sing, all they have to do is open
their mouth, take a deep breath, and let some sound come out.  I constantly
remind them of this, to open their mouth and fill the room with their music.
Not necessarily to sing loudly, but to sing with big beautiful voices.
Something that always works although I realize it really borders on the
"cool/uncool" line, is giving them dance steps.  Challenging their coolness, to
see how well they can dance to the music.  I always tell them that this music
should make them want to sway, clap, or dance in some way.  I love to teach the
camp classics, but I also have found that other music can be made relevant to
them.  Teaching music from the Pirkei Avot is great because its fascinating to
discuss the perek before we sing the song.  Try to understand the text and then
have a great time singing it.  It gives me great pleasure to teach the kids
that this music really comes from a special place and that when they are
singing, they are actually praying, creating a holy space.  So as much fun as
the stomping, clapping, and coreography can be, it can be just as fun to
investigate together where the music came from, how much they know about their
own history, roots, ancestors.  Mostly I try to pass on my absolute love for
the music in effort to find a place in their hearts for this language.

B'shalom,
Shira Kline

Carol Boyd Leon wrote:

> Just for the record, I find the 9 and 10 year olds to still be receptive to
> learning songs for the fun of it.  The difficulty starts with the 11 and
> 12-year olds.  Except for my Youth Choir kids (who range up to 14 years
> old)... they'll sing anything and everything I give them.
> -- Carol Boyd Leon
> ______________________________________________________
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