Hello there! How was your day?
I had an interesting day. I had my Key Stage 1 classes today and in both classes, we were learning to play melodies on glockenspiels/metallophones/xylophones: Andante for children by Bartok in year 2 and a Lullaby in year 1.
The first year 1 class really wind me up, there are so many children in there who just can't/don't listen. After 20 minutes or so, I find myself getting really annoyed with them because there are constant niggles, constant messing around from different pockets of children! They are little but they are used to the concept of counting in and how to play the instruments. We got there in the end but how much better it would be if certain children did not need picking out to listen: We were trying to play G G rest rest. Not hard if you had listened. But when it gets to the fifth time and child x is STILL playing 4 C's instead of G G, it gets very difficult! When child x finally listens, they can do it first time!
Reflecting in teaching is so important to realise how to improve something next time. In future, I should get child x to repeat back what I said to play or 'who can tell me what I said?', a staple teacher strategy I know and use regularly but sometimes, when dealing with low level disruption, it's easy to get sucked in. A different approach, a more positive approach in this case- putting it back onto them.
Year 2, playing the Bartok, in the middle section, in the past years, children have struggled to remember and play the tune. This time, I suddenly saw a new teaching strategy for it- a way to split it up into a way that made sense and suddenly, bingo, the majority could play it! A different approach from me that I hadn't considered before!
The hat in the above picture. I bought it from ASOS a while back but haven't worn it much as I didn't like the way it looked on my head too straight, whereas most of my big hats are floppy. Wear it at a jaunty angle and all of a sudden, I like it! A different approach.
The outfit: a different approach to this vintage dress I wore in a recent post- different shoes, different cardie, different hat, different tights, necklace and earrings: a remix: a different approach.
Plus, wearing a coat I love but don't wear loads because it doesn't have a hood and I fear getting wet in the rain if I have walk for any significant distance. A different approach- bring an umbrella you muppet!
Lent: a time to reflect and change, try to approach things differently, from a more Christlike perspective: taking a different approach to things, a better approach, a more constructive approach, a more disciplined approach, a more faithful approach, a more prayerful approach.
These were the thoughts that I thunk!
xx