Peter and the Wolf, TWS, and Surgery!

It's February?!
Wow...where has the time gone?

Well I can't believe it, but this Friday, I will have been student teaching at Richardsville Elementary for a month. That's insane.  It has been an absolutely amazing time so far, and I can't wait to see what this next month has in store (hopefully no snow days!)

It has clearly been a while since I've last updated this blog. As you can imagine, I've been incredibly swamped...I mean, between teaching, working on my Teacher Work Sample, writing lesson plans, and dealing with some skin issues...I've barely even had time to think about sleep!

I went to talk about percussion, but then I got side tracked

with the string family!

We just recently finished covering Peter and the Wolf and it's really cool because Mrs. Thurman shows this to the students in such a unique way.  She has a flannel board and the characters are cut out of pieces of felt.  She virtually makes the story happen with the music, and the kids LOVE it -- even I was glued to it! haha

It's so great working with Mrs. Thurman because she is always so encouraging and helpful.  All the other teacher's at the school talk about how giving she is and it's no joke!  She would walk a mile to help you if you needed her!  I feel so privileged to be able to work with such a talented, genuine, and thoughtful teacher who loves nothing more than to teach music to everyone!


As part of student teaching, we're required to attend a seminar class on (most) Fridays.  The class runs from  9am-3pm and all we talk about it is the Teacher Work Sample (TWS).  It's incredibly boring as I have been in methods classes that have already talked about many of the sections of the TWS.  However, the teacher is really thorough and adamant about helping us achieve 4s on the complete work (top score).  I started teaching my unit to all the third grade classes.  I had to start off with a pre-test to determine what exactly I would need to teach, and to show the growth the students make over the course of the unit.

"Pass the Cup" activity helping Mrs. Thurman and I

see which students can keep a steady beat. 

My unit is about instruments.  This includes the four families of the orchestra (brass, woodwinds, strings, percussion), how you produce sound in each of those families, how you change pitch in those families, AND identifying instruments based on their sound.  It's pretty challenging for 3rd graders, but Mrs. Thurman said that administration is always looking for think that push the students.  I plan on doing just that...so LOOK OUT 3rd graders! :]

And last for this entry -- I recently had some surgery done in hopes to completely remove any remaining abnormal skin cells.  These cells aren't cancer, but they were cause for concern.  I went to a plastic surgeon who made an incision in my chest and in my upper-middle back.  I have stitches in both locations (ouch!) and I have to wake up much earlier now to clean them and make sure they stay dry in the shower (this is tedious and has taken my total shower time from about 5 minutes to somewhere around 10).
BUT, good news -- the pathology report came back and said they got ALL the abnormal cells, so I won't have to get any more cuts in those locations (at least right now).  I'm happy about that, because I don't really want to go through that again..ugh.

Until next time! -- which hopefully won't be as long:]
Thanks for reading!

We're Not in Kansas Anymore....and a Lockdown??!

Well it's January and you know what that means?!

Tornados??

As unusual as that sounds, that would be correct...at least this year.
Oh, and a lockdown too?? (This is looking to be one interesting blog for sure!)


It was a normal morning at Richardsville.  1st graders, 2nd graders, 15 minute break, 3rd graders, lunch break....and then suddenly...LOCKDOWN!
Another teacher came to Mrs. Thurman's door and told her that we were on lockdown.  Luckily, with us being on our lunch break, there weren't any students in the classroom.  However, we still had to take precautions, such as closing the blinds, getting out of view from the door, remain quiet and wait for further instructions. We were on this lockdown for about 5-7 minutes until the all-clear came over the PA system.  Apparently, someone was in the building that didn't go through the office...WHO DOES THAT?!  Regardless, all was fine and we finished our lunch and prepared for the Kindergarten kids.

As the students marched into class, the clouds outside began to turn a dark grey, the rain began to pour and the thunder rumbled.  Mrs. Thurman had the class completely engaged in her flannel story of "Peter and the Wolf" but that thunder was too frightening for the kids:/
She continued to ensure that we were in a nice, new sturdy building and that the thunder couldn't harm us.  This was true.

And then...the COWS began their screeching.

Over the PA system, we were told to begin moving to our tornado "safe-areas."  Great.  JUST after we get done with the lockdown, it's time to prepare for a possible tornado.  AWESOME.
Luckily for Mrs. Thurman, her designated safe-area is in the faculty lounge located on the basement floor, where there are no windows.  Thank goodness! (haha)
I broke a rule...I took out my phone and checked the radar...in front of other teachers...but I wanted to see when the weather would be gone! Oh well...

So that was probably one of the more interesting days so far.  But it was definitely weird being on the other side of these things.  Having to ensure the students that everything would be alright (even if we knew things wouldn't...although this time they definitely were fine) and making sure all the students followed instructions.

Today was my first seminar class.  On some Fridays, I have to go to WKU for a seminar class that helps us work through our Teacher Work Sample, which is a portfolio capstone project which covers a unit of study from start to finish through 5-10 days of teaching.  It includes contextual factors of the school and students, learning goals, pre-tests, the lessons, post-tests and other supplemental materials that go along with it.  Basically, it's a huge project that takes a lot of time and effort to complete.  Something to lose sleep over essentially.  Great.
The seminar is scheduled from 9am-3pm, although I had been assured many times by other friends that had already been through this process that they "rarely" take the full time.  Today, our teacher took the FULL TIME.  That was one issue.  Another...he only gave us 30 minutes for lunch.  Really?!  Come on.  Looks like I'm making my lunch for these days too.
And lastly...our teacher made the comment, "And you absolutely CANNOT use a Mac for this class...all work MUST be done on a PC."


Excuse me.


I own a Mac...I've grown to love the Mac...and I will use a Mac for this class.  His issue with students using a Mac (even if it has Office) was that there are significant formatting issues that happen when submitting files to Blackboard.  I respectfully disagree.
Other than those minor complaints, however, he knows quite a bit about the TWS and his daughter is even in the band at Greenwood (she plays saxophone too!) so he's not completely clueless about music.  I expect to learn a lot from him...

...especially if we're going to be there from 9am-3pm most Fridays.

Shoot for Scoops, Jazzy Sax, and Steady Beat Kids!

Well if you haven't noticed by any of my Facebook posts, my sinus infection is in FULL swing -- and it's miserable.  BUT the show must go on!

This morning in Town Meeting, the 6th graders who scored a 4 or 3 on their reading open response from yesterday got to shoot a basketball from the free throw line, and if they made it, they got a free scoop of ice cream (from the cafeteria I believe).  This opportunity is available for all grades, and I think it's an awesome incentive for the students to do their best!  After the students finished, the two 6th grade teachers got to shoot (both got loud cheers, but both missed).  But then, Mrs. Casada (the principal) attempted to make a basket....another miss! :/ Better luck next time though, right!
Great morning fun, that's for sure! -- Town Meeting always gets me awake!

Today, Mrs. Thurman video taped me teaching about the saxophone.  I demonstrated a blues scale, and every time I did it, the students were absolutely thrilled.  It was a lot of fun watching their faces when I started playing...their eyes lit up like light bulbs!  Later in class, I did an assessment of steady beat where the students listened to a song, and played the D and A tone bars to the beat.  I had to checkmark those students that adequately maintained the beat.

Unfortunately, there were some behavior problems during the assessment, and I had to address those at the end of the class -- definitely not my favorite thing to do...but a necessary evil.

Enjoy the video!

Observation Day...DUN DUN DUNNNN! (dramatic music)

All the worrying about my observation was for nothing, and I should've expected it!  Dr. Swanson is the most amazing person and I should've known that she would have been extremely supportive and constructive with any criticism that she would have.  I enjoyed getting all her comments from my lesson, and we talked about my experiences so far and things went great!

But before I dive into the details of my observations, let's rewind a bit.

Throughout the day, I had plenty of opportunities to demonstrate my saxophone playing as well as working through parts of my lesson with different classes.  Let's just say that there is nothing more that students love than seeing LIVE demonstrations of instruments.  I played my saxophone for today's Kindergarten class, and a little girl sitting in the back of the room lit up and was SO incredibly interested!  It's seeing stuff like that, that makes me want to teach music!

I gave my first "teacher's eye/teacher's voice" today to a couple students in Mrs. Thurman's Treblemakers (a group of 6th graders that play the Orff Xylophones).  They kept intentionally knocking the bars off their neighbors instrument and they were falling onto the ground.  So I had the students stop, and I told them that it would cost a couple hundred bucks to replace one of those bars if it broke.  Mrs. Thurman went even further and said that it would ruin the instrument and she would probably just have to buy another xylophone (and she has a point!).  One of those instruments can cost upwards of $600.  They didn't do it from then on, so hopefully that instilled something in them and they won't do it again.  

As the clock approached 2:00pm, my palms began to sweat and I was definitely getting more nervous.  But when Dr. Swanson walked it, I knew I would be fine.  Something about how encouraging she is that makes me feel like I don't need to be nervous, and to just focus on the students!  She was excited because she was going to be doing my observation on her new iPad with a new app that is specifically designed for KTIP observations (COOL!)

This particular 5th grade class was FULL of questions.  I was totally not expecting that, which is fine, but when you plan a lesson, you should figure some time in for questions, especially when you're demonstrating instruments.  I didn't even get through my entire lesson plan, which included a "mini" open response for the students (of which I did not include a scoring rubric...whoops!)  At about 2:30, Dr. Swanson and I went to the art classroom and talked about the observation.

She helped me start my Professional Growth Plan which included strengths of my teaching: content knowledge, communication, enthusiasm (anyone thinking of that 312 song??), energy, and lesson planning.  Also, some of my weaknesses: classroom management (I'm having a lot of difficulty with IEP students and students with special needs) as well as the different assessments for students.

But, overall, she said she was really proud of what I was doing and that I definitely looked like a confident teacher in front of the class.  THAT made me more excited than anything!

Sick and Teaching...ugh

Let's see...last semester I managed to make it all the way through the semester without getting sick.

Week 2 of student teaching - sore throat, stuffy/runny nose, clogged up ears.
This is awful.

I'm drinking fluids like it's no one's business and taking medicine to ensure that I don't miss any days of teaching.  I realize that I have 5 excused absences, but I really don't want to miss anything at school, and I honestly think that I can push through this illness.  I tried to get to the doctor today, but apparently he can't get me in until Monday...so clearly that won't work.



Aside from being sick, I've had a lot of great experiences teaching so far this week.  I'm really excited because it's only week two, and I'm already teaching a little bit and teaching one class all by myself!  Yesterday I taught part of a class on a "listening quiz."  I played short, three note examples and the students had to choose between 3 different choices.  It was a good way to ease into being in charge of a class, even if it was only for a little bit.

However, this week is an important week because I'm getting observed by Dr. Swanson on Wednesday.  She'll be observing me teach a 5th grade class (last class of the day so the kids will be nice and rowdy).  Mrs. Thurman and I decided that I should teach how woodwinds produce their sound and review how brass produce their sound.  So last night, I spent about an hour and a half writing a lesson plan.  I've got 5 objectives and it seems like a pretty solid lesson...there's even an open response as an assessment.

Today, I did a trial run with a different 5th grade class, but the same lesson.  Things went pretty well, as the day had gone on, I got some experience teaching little portions of my lesson, so by the time this class came around, I felt really prepared.  The class participated well, and they were generally focused on the task.

All in all, I thought that things went well, and I'm pretty excited to show Dr. Swanson what I've done so far!

Whacky Birthday! Coolest Thing Ever.

Every morning in "town meeting" if there are birthdays, we don't sing the traditional "Happy Birthday to You." Instead, we do a song called "Whacky Birthday" (or at least that's what it is called on the internet).  So after searching google extensively, I finally found the audio file.

Mrs. Thurman told me that when she found it originally and played it for the kids, it wasn't in their singing register, it was much lower.  So naturally, the children tried to sing it in the register.  She took the audio, edited the pitch and made it sound more like chipmunks -- the kids LOVE it.  They also do some movements to it which is great because it gets the kids moving at 7:30am!

Her recording is on a cassette tape, so I had to do all the pitch and tempo editing myself with the audio file I found - and I think I did a pretty good job!

It's a special day when it's your birthday at Richardsville!!

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Week 1 = Check. Fire Drill Included.

Well, my first week of student teaching is finished, and I must say: WOW.

This is by far the most fast paced, upbeat, energy sucking thing I could ever imagine.  But I must say these kids are amazing.  They try so hard all the time and are the most respectful, kind children I have ever known!  It's such an honor to be able to work with everyone at Richardsville and I'm learning something new everyday.

Yesterday, I got to work with the chorus for the 5th and 6th grade students.  They have been working on a lot of Christmas music for their performance they had in December, so now they're working on newer things.  I'll eventually be teaching a few of these songs, but it'll pretty tough because the kids can be wild sometimes.

Today we had our January Fire Drill!  Nothing special...just a loud fire alarm, and everyone lining up quietly outside - at least it was in the mid 60s today!
In class today, there were a few IEP-type kids that were being difficult to work with, but having this real-time experience is really helping me figure out the best ways to help them learn or engage in the activities.
Students marched into class today to "Bugler's Holiday" by Leroy Anderson -- and it was fitting because we talking about brass instruments (trumpet overload in that piece!).

One thing I really like that Mrs. Thurman does is have each grade level sing an Alma Mater of one of the state's different universities (UK, UL, WKU, EKU, etc).  She'll video tape them too and send them to the Presidents of the schools!

I'll have my first solo teaching opportunity on Wednesday -- 5th grade!  Dr. Swanson will be out there to observe, so that makes me a bit nervous.  Mrs. Thurman said she's slowly gonna start adding classes on starting next week, and I'm excited about it, but I just hope I'm able to pace things well enough to fill the 45 minute class slots!

Wish me luck!

Angry Birds, Mr. Lunch and Abraham Lincoln

Who would've thought that all three of those things would've been included in my first day of student teaching...certainly not me.

I started today super early.  In fact, so early the sun wasn't even up.  Too early for me.
6:00am reared it's ugly head at me and I was out of the house by 6:45am to begin the 20 minute drive to Richardsville.
Pulled into the lot at 7:10am and wondered if the school was even open yet because some parents were sitting in their cars with their kids (they must have a certain time to drop the kids off??? no idea).  I walked into the office, and after the receptionist thought I was subbing for Mrs. Thurman, I confirmed that I was actually her student teacher.  I signed in, grab my "Visitor" sticker (which would eventually come off many times throughout the day) and was escorted to Mrs. Thurman's room.

This is the main part of the classroom

Richardsville Elementary is in a brand new building.  They have solar technology, sky lights in every classroom, smart boards, automatic lights, and water-efficient bathrooms.  I think it's an amazing place to learn and those kids are extremely lucky to have such a wonderful place as a school!

Every morning at 7:30am, all the students meet in the gym and have what is called "Town Meeting" where they say the pledge, sing the daily patriotic song, and sing the birthday song if there are any birthdays.  Announcements are made, and then the students are off to their "home base" classrooms.

My "mini-desk" that Mrs. Thurman made for me! (it's a riser)

Our first class began at 8:15am. 1st Grade.

This is where the first two parts of the title of this post come in.
Mrs. Thurman arranged the theme song of Angry Birds for her Treblemakers and Choirs.  Each class, she would turn on the CD with this song, and the students would march into the class to the beat of the song.  After they would sit down, she asked "Now, who knows what that song is from?"
Some would say, "Uhm...I don't know...I think the radio?" or "Willy Wonka?" (hahaha) and then once she told the class it was the theme from Angry Birds, everyone was like, "OOHHHH YEAH!!!!" (hilarious!)

Mrs. Thurman's desk

Next - Mr. Lunch
Obviously, I got some looks from the kids like, "Who are you?" and so it was natural that Mrs. Thurman introduce me to the class!  It went a little like this:

"Class, this is my new friend and our new student teacher for a while! His name is Mr. Lund!"
The students responded with a resounding "Hello!"
Then Mrs. Thurman say, "It's kinda like Lunch, but with a "D" instead of a 'ch'" (hahahaha)
Some of the students asked if they could call me that, which honestly doesn't matter to me, it's funny and I'll laugh every time I hear it!
Other names I was called today: Mr. Lundo, Mr. Lundon, Mr. Lung (hahahaha) :]

Risers on the far side of the room.  The students enter from the door on the right.

Oh and about Abraham Lincoln: the 4th, 5th and 6th graders are doing a musical about Mr. Lincoln and it is sure to be a wonderful show.  Mrs. Thurman and myself will be working together with the students to bring it to life.  As soon as the date of the performance is known, I will let everyone know so they can come! :]

Although I'm feeling exhausted, it was an incredible day of learning and interacting with the students.  I can't wait to see what the next two months have to offer!