Peaks and Valleys

This week has been full of peaks and valleys when it comes to school.  I'll start with the valleys because, well, I've always been a "bad-news-first" kinda gal.

Valley #1: On Monday, someone stole a big bag of Jolly Ranchers from my desk.  It was naive of me to leave them out, unlocked, but I didn't want to lock them up in my office because it makes randomly throwing a piece of hard candy at a kid's head so much harder when I have to trot to my office, unlock my drawer, trot back to my podium, then throw the candy.  The kid usually sees it coming.  I feel like surprise congratulatory candy is much more rewarding.  Or maybe it's just more fun to watch the kid's face as the candy is flying toward him and he has to decide, "do I drop my instrument and catch this candy or do I somehow catch it with my bow?  Or do I let it just hit my face like a total dweeb?"  I usually root for the latter...  Anyway, the theft happened some time during one of my 7th grade classes, so my 7th graders will no longer be getting pelted in the face by hard candy because one of them stole the entire $15 for himself, ruining it for everyone else.

Valley #2: I suck at teaching 8th grade.  It's true- I'm not looking for a sympathetic complement like, "oh, you are such a good teacher, they are lucky to have you!"  I find teaching 8th grade very challenging especially when the 8th graders are not your own kids, raised by you in 7th grade.  Both my 8th grade classes went really poorly last time and I left school feeling very frustrated.  They talk too much, they don't treat me or each other with respect, and they stink at playing their instruments.  We aren't at the level that we can make music, and that makes me frustrated. (*Disclaimer- this Valley turns into a Peak- keep reading!)

Valley #3: A seam in my black pants ripped.  (Commence walking tuba line for fat person...)  I do not want to fix it, I hate sewing.  I will probably continue to just wear a black tank top over the seam every time I wear these pants...

Valley #4: Quote from one of my homeroom students (not an orchestra kid) as she plodded into class "Here we go: worst part of the day.  It's like a prison in here..." Well, good morning to you too!  (To be fair, it is kind of like a prison in there...)

Now to the Peaks!

Peak #1: Today I had my best rehearsal yet with my 7th graders!  I may have set an "I mean business" tone when I started the class by telling them they're all a bunch of lying thieves (in so many words...), but regardless, the class went super well!  They were playing open strings with the bow like a bunch of champs!  They entered the room and started doing what they were supposed to do immediately.  I only had 3 or 4 stupid questions, as opposed to the usually 10-12.  They followed instructions, stayed on task, and were genuinely engaged in learning and getting better.  I love these days!

Peak #2: Because I suck at teaching 8th grade, I am learning and becoming a better teacher every day.  I decided that the reason I am frustrated with the 8th graders is because I'm treating them too much like high schoolers.  As soon as they accomplish the task or skill that I had planned, I move on to the next thing that needs fixed, instead of celebrating their accomplishment and letting them enjoy it.  I need to set smaller, achievable goals then dwell on them even after they accomplish them.  For example, my latest rant has been accidentals.  They struggled with F sharp and F natural and when to play each.  When the kids finally were able to recognize and identify when and how they should play accidentals, my reaction was "Phew, finally!  Ok, now let's put this into context!"  While I wish to eventually have them playing accidentals naturally (no pun intended) and apply them to their music, I've decided I need to give them more time to fully understand the concept and not harp (hehe, I don't even try!) on other things after they get it.  I am excited for next class now that I have this outlook...

Peak #3: The choir teacher complemented me today and it really made me feel good.  She said "I bragged about you to (the band teacher) the other day when I came into your class about that one boy who was on my schedule by accident.  You had those kids so quiet and respectful- I was blown away!" (Obviously my 7th grade, not my 8th grade...)  I told her thank you and that her comment meant a lot to me.  I don't like that I so desperately desire validation, but the fact is her complement made me feel better than a week of perfectly executed lesson plans ever would.

Peak #4: I judged chair tests at the high school and it was a lot of fun.  I felt very powerful (*evil laugh, muahahaha).  But it was also very interesting for me to be on the other side of things.  I always sat 1st chair in high school, so chair tests there weren't that big of a deal.  But I auditioned loads of times at All State Orchestra and college and summer camps, and I was always so nervous and wondered what the judges thought of me and how I compared to everyone else.  I hope the kids I listened to don't hate me because of my decisions though- that's always a fear.  I was pretty confident about what I heard and I think my scores lined up with what the high school director usually gave, so I imagine the kids won't be too surprised.  

Sometimes I feel like I might be bipolar- one minute I will want to rage at some poor little 12 year old:  "how could you possibly think that was a good idea?!?!" and the next I will feel like dancing like a dork to the stupid background music on the Essential Elements CD.  Before I see a specialist though, I'll dwell on the Peaks and try to work through the Valleys.