Those in the Middle

Reasons why I love teaching Middle School:

1. J and E come to visit me at lunch each Thursday...just because.
2. M says to me that she thinks that a choir singing a pop song is just silly. We should do good chorus music because a choir singing a pop song would be like mixing golf with basketball...each are great...they just don't go together.
3. J being the only boy in my middle school chorus, but choosing to stick it out because he wants to sing...even though his voice is changing and has a range of about 5 notes. Boy do I have my work cut out for me.
4. C, S, and B doing their McDonald's rap in Spanish for me.
5. J answering a very detailed question just when I was starting to think that he wasn't really paying attention.
6. Having high expectations and never being disappointed.
7. T (a boy) showing off that he can sing higher than all the girls...and getting an enormous amount of applause for doing so.
8. Finish singing a song and have the entire chorus say "Wow...can we do that again"
9. Working on a song that was written by middle schoolers in response to 911 and having a great big discussion on how that song of hope and dreams could fit so many people in our country and around the world right now.
10. Anytime that I open my mouth to sing something I get thunderous applause.
    
11. E an R wanting to sing the harmony part even though it is tough. They just dig in and do it.
12. Having it be then end of class and they say "It is over...ALREADY???"
13. Watching students who only are in choir because they had to be, start to really dig what we are doing.
14. Knowing that I get to be a part of developing these all-to-soon to be adults.

It is a responsibility that I don't take lightly.


More Later

-A Ro

First Day of School

In the words of Destiny's Child...I'm a survivor I'm not gon' give up I'm not gon' stop...I'm gon' work harder. I hope someone gets that reference. Anyhoo...my point is...I survived the first day of school, but more important Andrew survived having me as a teacher...yes you heard it correctly my teenage son is in my high school choir. Now in all fairness I did apologize to him ahead of time for any embarrassment I should cause him...that gives me complete freedom right??

right??

Oh alright...I'll try to be on my best behavior, but I cannot promise anything...after all I am only human.

We did have a good first rehearsal and he only turned bright red a couple of times, and he is still speaking to me...I'd say a huge success.

It is funny to me how much changing goes on between 6th grade and 7th grade...here is a story between two middle school boys to prove my point:

Sixth grader: Hey did you see that transformers movie?

Seventh grader: Yeah

Sixth grader: It was AMAZING all that action and stuff blowing up and car chases and robots and stuff...wow what a cool movie.

Seventh grader: Yeah it was a cool movie but you have it all wrong...I'll sum up in two words why that movie was awesome.

Sixth grader: OK

Seventh grader: MEGAN FOX!!!

Either way middle school is such a wonderful age to teach. I know some people would say I was crazy, but I do love 'um...every last hormonal one of them.

Bella has one more day of "vacation" a la going to school, but not having to wear a uniform because she is still at daycare. We did meet her teacher...the new one of the group...and she is excited!!

Andrew in his first day outfit that took longer to pick out than his entire birth. Yes I know it is an important decision...and yes he did pick it out the night before...and yes I helped...and no I didn't laugh...and yes he looked very nice.

Can you believe how tall he is? (she says wiping one tear away)

Have I mentioned how lucky I am??

More later

- A Ro