The Music Teacher Bookshelf - Teaching With Love and Logic

Teaching With Love and Logic by Jim Fay and David Funk
 

I read a whole lot, and most of what I read is for fun.  
I'd much rather go to lectures and seminars and take notes than actually read a professional book, but SOMETIMES the professional book is so indispensable that I really just need to read the book.   THIS is one of those books. 

When I do read professional books, I also like to read books that are beyond music instruction.  You never know when inspiration will strike. 

The big irony about my choice of THIS book is that I have heard more than one Love and Logic trainer say that when it comes to teaching music, art, PE, or doing anything else at school that keeps you from having your own set of 25 students all day long, that there are big chunks of this book that simply can't be applied. 

I will say that it is a little more complicated and If you are a "specials" teacher I would recommend reading this book with your team and when you get to the parts that seem totally impossible to implement, then see if you can come up with something that will approximate the idea AND also work for your team.  

This is a great book if it does nothing more than inform HOW you speak to students.  I would like to suggest that MUCH of the problems I have created in my classroom happened not when a student misbehaved, but rather when I didn't have a response ready that effectively redirected, or diffused the situation.   In any case, it is an excellent read and I highly recommend it.  

Here is just a TINY TINY taste of the book!

Melodysoup Video Wednesday! - Mad Hot Ballroom

Today I'm going to take a little trip down memory lane as I share with you the PERFECT movie for a music teacher on summer vacation! One year my district provided the opportunity for several of our music teachers to attend a conference in Dallas organized by MENC that specifically targeted the needs of urban and rural schools. 

It was one of the best conferences I've ever been to and I was sad to see that it was over, but I had decided to extend so that I wouldn't have to drive home tired.  Therefore, I found myself alone in Dallas without any real plans.  I was in luck because the hotel that I was staying at was right next door to the Angelica theater which was the theater in town to play the "artsy" movies.  I wandered over there to stretch my legs and found that I was just in time to catch a movie and decided on a whim that I would take in an "art flick".  Until that point my cinema tastes had never wandered beyond the mainstream and so I was a little bit hesitant to pay good money for a film I had never heard of or at least seen a trailer for. 

So there I was.  I had popcorn in one hand and my drink in the other and I was almost dreading the start of the movie because after I purchased my ticket I saw that this movie was a DOCUMENTARY!  UUGGHH!  I wanted to be entertained, not educated! 

WELL - I was in for a delightful surprise.  Mad Hot Ball Room captivated me!  I laughed, I cried, I all but danced in the aisles of the theater. This movie is a MUST SEE for everyone who has ever known a 5th grader.  This movie is a MUST SEE for every artist who has considered working in a classroom as a resident artist.  This movie is a MUST SEE for everyone.  This movie is a FABULOUS advocate for the power of the arts to motivate children.  It is hopeful, optimistic and encouraging without denying any of the harsh reality that gets in the way of student success.  I LOVE this movie!  I love this movie so much that I have held all of my friends watch it on more than one occasion.  Seriously, just now I decided to watch the trailer before I embedded into this post and it make me laugh and cry and I've seen it at least 10 times..... just not in a couple of years....



I'm sure that many of you have seen it, but since it's summer and all, I think it's time to watch it again.  You can watch it instantly on NETFLIX right now :)

Video Wednesday! - When I Rise!

Ordinarily I try to share any videos that I might use in my classroom on Wednesdays, but since it's summer I'm going to share with you some videos that we should watch in order to lift our spirits, renew our minds and challenge our thinking.  As a result, the videos that I'm sharing today are just a taste of a film that I think is a must see for everyone, but especially for any music teachers who need to be reminded of our purpose. 

I'm one of those people who doesn't pay attention to what I' hearing.  Contrary to the fact that I am a music teacher who is supposed to know all about the music we hear, I hardly ever know who sang this or that, I don't pay attention to titles and other than the fact that I enjoyed every minute of music history, I sometimes find it shocking that I got a good grade in it because I don't pay attention to musical details much to my shame!  However, since seeing this documentary a couple of years ago I have become a huge fan and follower of Barbara Smith Conrad and even though I don't consider myself an opera lover, I could listen to her sing all day long! 



What has me hooked to her music and her inspiring voice is her incredible story of strength, determination, and forgiveness.  I love her music and her voice because of the light of Jesus that I can see and hear shining through her when she sings.  I'm sure that when you watch this amazing story you will be struck by her poise and graciousness.  Would that all accomplished musicians could find the balance that Barbara Smith Conrad embodies in her properly proud humility. She has a gift, she shares it without reservation or hesitation, and she comports herself with dignity under fire.  If we could somehow teach that to our talented students or bottle it and sell it, then we would really be onto something as music educators. 

Now that I'm so excited about sharing this video with you, I'm going to go see if I can find it on Netflix because I'm ready to watch it right now!!!!! 

***** UPDATE*****
I did a little research and you can purchase the movie through Amazon.com for a reasonable price or you can rent or buy it through iTunes.  This movie doesn't seem to be available through Netflix at this time.  I could "save" it, but I couldn't request it as a DVD or view it online so perhaps its checked out or maybe it only has limited availability. You may also find the movie available through PBS since it is an Independent Lens documentary.

 

Melodysoup Video Wednesday - Week 7

Melodysoup Video Wednesday - Week 6

OK - so I wouldn't share this video with my students, but it made me laugh and so

 I thought you might enjoy it too!  

Melodysoup Video Wednesday - Week 5

THIS is my favorite music career video because I learned some things too!  Having never been in a recording studio, it's hard for my to explain all of the jobs related to the work.  This is basic and clear AND interesting!  

Melodysoup Video Wednesday - Week 4

Good advice for students who want to become working musicians. 

Melodysoup Video Wednesday - Week 3

Week 3 video about Careers in music. Great video. 

MelodySoup Video Wednesday! - Week 2

Here is another great video about being an ensemble and studio musician.  I like it especially because he speaks about being prepared and humble.

Melodysoup Video Wednesday!

Here is the first video in a series of Music Career videos.  Musical career information for older elementary students is tricky to find.  This is a great video that I look forward to using with my 5th graders this spring.  I hope you enjoy it!  This video is about Music Therapy.