Nutcracker Ballet

We’ve been watching the Nutcracker ballet on video performed by the Bolshoi in Russia. I’ve never seen so many second graders get excited about dancing! I even had one kid trying to do leaps down the hallway. The kids really like the Mouse King. I told them the next time they get mad at someone they should “ballet fight,” no one really gets hurt because there’s no touching. The only downside is that the kids have a hard time understanding the “acting.” At the end, I show them the actors taking a bow and this is the comment I got from one of them, “I thought the Nutcracker Prince killed the Mouse King?!?” I tried to explain, that while, yes it is real human people, it is just a story being acted out. (Over their heads.) Another thing they keep saying, “That song’s from Elf,” (or Home Alone, or Fantasia or {insert movie here.) They just can’t conprehend that the Nutcracker is where the music came from. By the way, I’m watching Elf this weekend, because I’m tired of the music comments. I’ve got to know about this movie so many of them have seen and remember.

W will be starting the orchestra after the break. They usually like listening to the different instruments and pretending to play them.

December 21, 2006. Category: home. 1 Comment.

Blue Man Group DVD is a success

The kids loved it. I showed just about 15 minutes and I think most of them want to see more.

We’ve been “all together” all week, because of the book fair. It’s been neat and we watched all of the Wizard of Oz. We don’t ever get to see all of one movie. “All together” means that the group that usually goes to Library instead of Music comes in with the Music group. Next week we should be back to normal; as if it’s ever normal around here.

I still don’t have enough time to do everything I want to get done, even though I’ve had lots of extra time this week. Maybe I can squeeze in a few other blogs today while the kids watch more Blue Man Group.

October 20, 2006. Category: home. No Comments.

Back to School

We’re at it full swing now. I’m really surprised to find out that some of what I taught last year has stuck with the students! Surprised some of them, too. I’ve already devised a plan for the year and I hope to teach more, though not as much as I would like.

The summer computer classes were not much fun and I think everyone wants to get started again next month. There is a lot of talk about doing a Saturday, and that may be the way to go. I’ll probably be volunteered to do both a Sat and an after-school “help session.”

The Blue Man Group is coming to DFW on October 14, the same day as the Godley Elem. Carnival, but I can’t afford the tickets. I think I may rent the previous BMG DVD and show it to the classes as a small tribute, (and to make myself feel better.) I didn’t really know much about them until I saw a biography story on PBS. The concerts look really fun.

Seems like this year has started off fast and furious. I’m so busy. I’ve got to read some of these other blogs, too. Where am I going to find the time?

August 28, 2006. Category: home. No Comments.

Sunday before the big training starts.

I WILL BE AT SCHOOL ON MONDAY AT 10 am and I plan on staying most of the day.

I’ve been doing some reading online and a few things I’ve decided on:

1. This is not going to be like anything I’ve ever done.

2. No one else will have done anything like it.

3. It will not be finished in a day or two.

ALL THIS ISN’T COOL! It sure better be worth it.

June 11, 2006. Category: home. No Comments.

SUMMER CALENDAR

May 30, 2006. Category: home. No Comments.

New Things on My Blog Page

I have created two catagories, which are both pretty self explanatory. I have also found several links that I think are interesting. If you would like to just see my “home” blogs, just click on the home catagory in the right lower corner. That will move all the blogs about the Music Industry out of the way and you can follow along a little better.