Week 2 of Diva JC Music Teacher

Dear Joan,
The things you had in your blog were great suggestions. You had the kids write down how they feel about music and their emotions that they may be feeling. I will give it a try and let you know what happens. The kids have less and less attention span than we ever did growing up which is a challenge.
Wendell Harrison and Pamela Wise

Wendell,
This is truly the case. They don't get discipline like we did from our parents, teachers and neighbors. They have so many material things that make them think they are "grown" including cellphones, computers, cd players and telephones. They are not afraid of anything. They know they can report us just like we can report them. It is a tough job being a teacher, from the get go, but without the means of disciplining the students, it is closer to "impossible".

Today, I found out that they do not want an "F" or "0" for assignments. They will cheat from each other's work to get the assignment done. It is really difficult when you prefer that they cheat or copy from another student than fail to hand in the assignment at all. So, for their first assignment, MUSICAL WORDS, half of the students did nothing. The other half got grades ranging from B to A- to A, once they did the assignment and handed it in to me.
Diva JC

Also, see my blog, divajcpursuit.blogspot.com

End of the first week!

Day 5 proved to be the culmination of the whole first week. Students were agitated and ready to get on to their weekend of freedom. However, they were stopped in their tracks by the two assignments I had given them: A crossword puzzle that I designed before starting on Monday, entitled Musical Words; and a list of musical careers that they were to choose from and write about, including what the job entails and the education and training needed to get the job.

Stay tuned for next weeks blog that will reveal the results of the two assignments.

And be sure to print out the puzzle and do it for yourself. I assure you, you'll enjoy it and maybe even learn something. Ummm, the answer key is available, but DON'T CHEAT!

Finally, bookmark the link to our October Newsletter for WOMEN IN JAZZ SOUTH FLORIDA, INC. featuring Jazz Woman Sandy Patton and Blues Woman Etta James.

Your comments and suggestions are always welcomed!