Welcome back to a new school year!
“Music Class” is always a mixture of learning in the performing arts. Music encompasses dramatizations of the music we are learning, movement to express the music, and performance skills that translate into any performance situation. I like to think of myself as a performing arts teacher, and not just a music teacher. I will be teaching Drama, Music and Dance in integrated ways throughout the school year to all classes, and will be reporting on the students’ learning in all of these areas.
The expectations in my class are that students are as attentive as they can be, and put effort into all of the activities in my class. The learning can only happen when kids engage with the arts. I will create fun and engaging activities that challenge the students and offer useful learning goals. The students need to meet me halfway. We can have a lot of fun exploring the arts together. When children are excited about playing in the realm of the arts, exciting things can happen! We can create amazing artistic experiences together. When children come with a poor attitude and are not willing to learn, everyone in the room can get frustrated.
I realize that families have different comfort levels with the performing arts. Some families do artistic activities daily and those children are very willing to engage with arts activities. Other families are more reluctant and exploring the arts can feel more uncomfortable for the members of that family. I offer a space where everyone can feel safe and welcome to try out artistic activities with an educated teacher to guide your child through the basics of any art form. Encouragement from home can go a long way in helping your child open up to exploring artistic activities, even if you yourself are not learned in that realm. Elementary school arts offers a introduction to the possibilities of creativity and artistic activities people can engage with throughout their lives. My job is to open those doors to the children so they can choose their interests and possible passions for their creativity. Yours as a parent are to support them through that goal. The children will find what interests them and what they want to pursue. A positive environment will make them brave.
The only expectation I have is that they TRY and ALLOW OTHERS TO TRY. If a child is unwilling to try or is preventing others from trying, I will make contact with a parent to help adjust the mindset of their child so we create and maintain that safe space for the other children in the building to try as well.
I’m excited to introduce your children to some wonderful artistic activities this year and have amazing performing arts experiences!