I believe that every school district in the state of Oregon is experiencing a budget freeze. My cooperating teacher is on the committee to negotiate a contract at our school, and today he was bombarded with tons of emails from teachers who are very angry at the money situation.
Why wouldn't they be? Our school district is almost a million dollars over-budget, and the year isn't even over. The state doesn't have money left to pay for the last quarter, so their quick-fix solution is to cut school days. However, teachers have a contract that protects them from losing days, and therefore losing pay (hence the contract negotiations). The teachers have to be persuaded into giving up 1% of their salary, and I believe would do so if they got payback in return, such as a 1% increase to next year's salary, or a 1% bonus.
I can't help but think that if the state, and those in charge of the money at the district level, managed the money better, we wouldn't have this problem. Education needs to be run like a business. Spend only the money you have, plan, budget, and PAY YOUR EMPLOYEES.
Right now there's some blame casting going on. First find a solution for the problem, THEN find out what went wrong so we can prevent this from happening again.
Is anyone else experiencing the same thing in their school?
Monday, March 9, 2009
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Tardiness
As the seventh grade band is playing an excellent rendition of La Bamba, I'm thinking about the huge amount of tardies in seventh period choir. Thirty-five to be exact.
These thirty-five tardies have accrued since the beginning of the quarter (we're in the 6th week), with twelve students contributing to the score. Our school policy is "three strikes and you're out." Four of the twelve students have already received detention for their tardies, and two students have been referred for disciplinary action twice. One is on her way to a third! (That's 8 tardies in six weeks!!).
I don't know what to do about this lateness. The class isn't even after lunch, so I don't understand how so many students can be late ALL THE TIME. Detentions don't seem to be effective. Any suggestions?
These thirty-five tardies have accrued since the beginning of the quarter (we're in the 6th week), with twelve students contributing to the score. Our school policy is "three strikes and you're out." Four of the twelve students have already received detention for their tardies, and two students have been referred for disciplinary action twice. One is on her way to a third! (That's 8 tardies in six weeks!!).
I don't know what to do about this lateness. The class isn't even after lunch, so I don't understand how so many students can be late ALL THE TIME. Detentions don't seem to be effective. Any suggestions?
Monday, March 2, 2009
Wall Breathing
Huh?
This is an excellent strategy to use to help young singers understand proper breathing technique. Have students find empty wall space to lean against. Next, have them bend their knees slightly so they are almost sitting against the wall. Have students breathe in from the stomach without raising their chests or shoulders. If used properly, students should feel their ribs and back muscles pressing against the wall. This can also be done while lying on the floor.
What is the point? Students need to learn what it FEELS like to properly breathe, and what it feels like to be full of air. Young singers also need to be aware that it's ok to look a little "portly" when pushing out their stomachs to take in air. When this happens, it due to the diaphragm pushing down on the stomach, intestines, and other viscera to make room for the lungs to expand. "Imagine you're a big Russian woman..."
I believe perhaps the hardest thing to teach young singers is how to properly breathe and efficiently use their air support. What do you think, fellow vocalists?
This is an excellent strategy to use to help young singers understand proper breathing technique. Have students find empty wall space to lean against. Next, have them bend their knees slightly so they are almost sitting against the wall. Have students breathe in from the stomach without raising their chests or shoulders. If used properly, students should feel their ribs and back muscles pressing against the wall. This can also be done while lying on the floor.
What is the point? Students need to learn what it FEELS like to properly breathe, and what it feels like to be full of air. Young singers also need to be aware that it's ok to look a little "portly" when pushing out their stomachs to take in air. When this happens, it due to the diaphragm pushing down on the stomach, intestines, and other viscera to make room for the lungs to expand. "Imagine you're a big Russian woman..."
I believe perhaps the hardest thing to teach young singers is how to properly breathe and efficiently use their air support. What do you think, fellow vocalists?
Renewed faith...for now.
As I'm writing this, I'm listening to my husband's radio show through our local college station. My head is bobbing and my feet are tap-tap-tapping to Soul Bossa Nova. You know- that song from Austin Powers.
Anyway, today was an excellent day for music education. I haven't been able to do much teaching since I started my B placement (student teaching). In fact, I'm still trying to learn my student's names. I got to do the kind of teaching I love today: one-on-one voice lessons. I'm helping a few students prepare for the upcoming solo/ensemble competition.
Just when I feel I'm getting discouraged with the lack of musical effort put forth by students in public schools, I get to work with seventh grade singers who renew my faith in music, specifically the teaching of it.
Let me explain my source of dicouragement. Not only have my opportunities for performance gone to the wayside since I've been teaching, it was very hard to go from quality music performed at a university to the music churned out in public schools. Needless to say I've had to readjust my standards.
Anyway, today was an excellent day for music education. I haven't been able to do much teaching since I started my B placement (student teaching). In fact, I'm still trying to learn my student's names. I got to do the kind of teaching I love today: one-on-one voice lessons. I'm helping a few students prepare for the upcoming solo/ensemble competition.
Just when I feel I'm getting discouraged with the lack of musical effort put forth by students in public schools, I get to work with seventh grade singers who renew my faith in music, specifically the teaching of it.
Let me explain my source of dicouragement. Not only have my opportunities for performance gone to the wayside since I've been teaching, it was very hard to go from quality music performed at a university to the music churned out in public schools. Needless to say I've had to readjust my standards.
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