Three Cups of Tea

Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWPwLv4N3Bg

Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3oww8LxbwGQ&feature=related

Above are the links to a video my ed. psych group made for the class. The point was to create an i movie based on a book and it's ideas. Our group did Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson. Greg Mortenson is a man who was more than willing to help anyone that needed it, especially when it came to education. He built schools throughout Pakistan and helped to improve the education of many young children. It is something we should all strive for as people. We need to realize that we can change the world, one step at a time- or in Greg's case, one cup of tea at a time. We, as teachers, can use the idea that one person can change the world in our classrooms. We should encourage our students to dream big and do something for the good of others, not just themselves.

Cursive: A thing of the past?

As part of our weekly lecture, we had teachers, administrators and parents come in to talk to us about many things in today's society.

One thing I found very interesting was how cursive isn't taught in schools anymore. It was very interesting to hear. When I was in third grade, that seemed to be the only thing we focused on, besides keyboarding. We would have tests on writing in cursive just so we could write them correctly. It was one of those things we had to learn. However, now it seems to be something that has been tossed away to make room for technology. It may not seem very important, but I think it is.

Much of our history has been written in cursive and in order to read it, one must be able to write it. My grandmother always wrote things in cursive: letters, recipes, stories, notes in books, etc. I love to read them, but I wouldn't be able to if I hadn't learned cursive.

Also, if students are not learning cursive, how are they supposed to sign their name? A signature is important these days. We use it everywhere: on checks, insurance statements, taxes, etc. How will the next generation be able to do these things? I'm sure some of you are thinking, well, it's time to move on to the new age of technology. Yes. Believe me, I know. I have certainly been required to use more technology in the past two years. I am also sure that the time will come when technology will so prevalent that handwriting will no longer be needed. But that seems awfully far away. Also, are we sure this advancement will occur or are we simply resting on what we assume will happen.

Motivation...

"Motivation is the key"

This seems to be a pretty cliche saying. People say it all the time, but does it really help?

My brother has had trouble with school for the longest time. Everyone knew he was completely capable of doing anything but he never seemed to do anything better. However, this year he turns 16 and he has the urge to drive. So this past summer they made a deal with him. As long as he keeps his grades at A's and B's he can take driver's ed and get his permit. Evidently it worked. He has kept high grades since the beginning of the school year and is continuing to do so. He now has his permit and is beginning behind the wheel.

He was motivated to get good grades by wanting to drive. Even though he is motivated by a reward, does that make it bad? I think it is good for him. Not only does he get what he wants, but my parents did, and they all get the reassurance that he can do well and can do anything if he puts his mind to it.
I think students, like my brother, are able to do anything they want and as a teacher you should encourage them to do so. The encouragement can even be providing the motivation.

Philosophy of Education

Although this isn't even close to what my entire philosophy will be, it is a good start.

Teacher of the year award
Teaching isn’t just about making sure your students know the facts and hoping they will memorize the information just so they can spit it right back at you or onto a test. It isn’t only conversing about a single subject. Sometimes I feel that we are so wrapped up in the technical things that we forget about life experience. In my experience, kids cannot learn that way- well they can, but not in a way that is beneficial to them and the community.
As a teacher, I want to show my students the passion I have for music and teaching. I want to help them realize they can have that passion for anything- it doesn’t even have to be in music. All that matters is that they become passionate about something they love. That passion can lead them to places they never thought they could go. I want them to dream big and follow those dreams. However, I also want them to realize that dreams change. One day they may want to be this big time pop start and the next they may want to be a doctor or a pilot or a teacher. There are so many possibilities and I want them to find their own spot in life and in the community.
In my classroom, I want the kids to be able to think outside of the box, want to think outside, and not be afraid to share their opinion after doing so. Many students, especially in the high school setting, are afraid to be different than their peers. When I was in high school, I had a teacher who pushed me to have my own opinions and be the “real” me- no regrets. Although it was pretty difficult, I found me. My music was the center of this and I knew that was what I wanted to do. As I became more confident in myself and what I was performing, I was able to be myself. I didn’t care what other people thought of me- all that matter was what I thought of myself. I want my students to feel that way. I want to help them realize that they shouldn’t base the way they act and who they are on the opinions of other people. They should be able to say what they think and not be afraid to be silly. Once they become themselves then they can achieve so many amazing things for themselves and the community.
I constantly say that I want my students to be involved in the community, but after a few years I realized that if you want your students to, you need to be the example. Actions speak louder than words, so do what you preach and they will follow.
I also want students to learn about other cultures. By picking pieces that are from a different part of the world, it gives the students and me a chance to learn about a people foreign to us. Other countries know so much about us, why don’t we know anything about them? Culture is something that everyone can learn from. There are so many amazing ideas and traditions out there; so why are we hesitant to learn about them?
I’m sure you are probably thinking- “So, are you actually teaching our kids something?” The answer is yes. I strive to help them be better people that have feelings and are interested in what is going on in the world. In return, I hope those ideas translate into the music they are producing. Singing isn’t just about reading the notes and the words on the page; it’s about connecting with the audience (the community). Music is so powerful; more than most people realize. It has the power to change lives. I can think of many instances when pieces have helped someone grieve or realize that it will all be okay in the end. I think that is so powerful and I hope that my students can convey that power in and outside of the choir room.