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Subject: [MK8]Program tonight

From: Stephen Wight

Date: Tue, 18 May 2010 22:33:49 -0400

So, I posted very positively on my facebook page, because I have
parents on that site. (I later realized my security settings were
keeping parents from seeing that post, but anyway...)

However, I'm really down.

Each grade level has about 50 kids.

Thinking back, I don't really remember how many Kindergarteners I had.
I'm thinking there were over 20. The rest I can list off for you:

1: 18
2: 18
3: 13
4: 9
5: 8

These kids profess their love of music all day long when I'm in my
classroom. So why won't they come to programs?! I'm so disappointed.

Kindergarten sang "Fuzzy Caterpillar." (Thinking back, this was too
short. We needed something a little longer.) And we danced to
"Little Red Wagon" a very simple dance. My original plan had been to
play Bluebird Bluebird, but how to make sure everyone had a turn! So
more than one person as the bluebird at a time, and there would always
be

The kids who were there did really well. First grade did a Virginia
Reel-style dance, as well as "Space Worms" from Making Music. They
were great.

Second grade had the "Patty Cake Polka." And I didn't have to do
ANYTHING! (There was an even number of people, or I'd've joined in.)
They were perfect. They did such a great job. They also sang "Lots
of Worms."

Third grade did the "St. Patrick was a Gentleman" dance from Making
Music, and they sang "Waltzing with Bears" (same source)

Fourth Grade played two recorder exercises from RK. (We just did
Yellow and Orange. I missed my Friday classes for five weeks
straight. I had no time to catch them up!)

Fifth grade sang "Oklahoma" and danced a line dance to "I Love a Rainy
Night" - the dance is also choreographed in our book.

I'm just so frustrated. I just don't understand why parents won't
bring their kids out to sing. I understand it's just one song, and I
know your kid doesn't have a solo, but why in the world would I plan
something that had solos? Why would I plan something bigger? Show up
for the small stuff. Prove to me you're going to be here.

I go back and forth between being really proud of the kids who were
there - singing when the group gets smaller is harder - and just
complete defeat from knowing how many kids just up and chose not to
come.

There's something I'm not doing. There's something I'm missing.
There's some way that I need to be motivating these parents to bring
their kids out. I don't know.

I will miss the kids if I get a different job. I can't say I'll miss
the frustration of something like this. But I will miss the kids.

Stephen

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Stephen Wight
srwight@gmail.com
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