Banjo Lessons

Parents of kindergartners
at the Back-2-School Night 2

A new venture has provided me with some insights into students’ experiences.  I put my money where my mouth was, and here’s some of what I have learned so far.

Several weekends ago, Melissa and I were in the car returning from a visit to our son and daughter-in-law in Massachusetts when a song we both like played on the radio. Prominently in the background was a banjo. I mentioned something about having wanted to learn to play the banjo. Well, within fifteen minutes Melissa had not only located a banjo for me using her smart phone, but had arranged for us to pick it up, had notified all of our children that I was going to learn to play and encouraged me to sign up to play it at one of the Lower School assemblies. Whew….

First-grade parents learning first hand
what their child ren experience every day.

For you to appreciate this, I have to tell you about my childhood experience with playing the piano. I took lessons because I was expected to, practiced because I had no choice, was involved in recitals joylessly and stopped as soon as I could. I think that a big part of it was that it wasn't my idea in the first place, and it didn't come easily. Although I love to listen to music, as anyone who stands too close to me during the singing at our Lower School assemblies can readily attest, I probably do not have the greatest of musical talent.

Despite this, I have persisted for several weeks now. I have not yet arranged for lessons, but thanks to the internet, I have learned to tune my banjo, oriented myself to reading a form of music notation called tablature, and begun to learn to play some things that are beginning to actually sound recognizable. As I struggled at the very beginning to even tune the thing, and then to make awkward finger placements, wondering how I could ever accomplish them in quick succession, I must admit that I seriously questioned why I even started.

Three-year-olds learn Spanish while they
make a snack.

I labor under no illusions that I will ever be able to play the type of music most of us associate with banjo solos, but I have to admit that I am beginning to like the slow, and I mean really slow, progress that I am making. To keep myself on track, while writing this  as teachers are working with parents during Back-2-School Night 2,  I slipped to the bulletin board outside of the music room to put my name on the list of those wanting to play during Lower School assemblies.

At the "Service Dog" assembly

There are quite a few names ahead of me, so I know I still have a while to practice. I am actually looking forward to sharing with students my halting progress. Assembly musicians do not have to be accomplished, although some are very proficient. Beginners are encouraged to play and the audience is expected to be appreciative.

Third graders have fun learning about phase changes
using dry ice  in science class.

My excitement, motivation and anticipation is completely different from my childhood experience. I feel engaged and challenged, but have no expectation of myself that I have to be perfect. This is the essence of what I want for our students. 

      Stay tuned!

The Preschool 4 has an exciting new blog post. Click here to view.

After two weeks, the Lower School is still
in the lead over the Middle and Upper Schools!

Fifth-graders taking weekly meter reading
for the Green Cup Challenge.

Hi my name is Hannah. Today I'm going  to tell you about what the set designers have been doing. The set designers are Jake and Julia.  I interviewed  both Julia and Jake and asked them what the set designers have been doing? They said they have been drawing abstract drawings about the theme which is rumors.  They have been choosing lines, shapes and colors that might reflect this idea. Right now they are working on the particular scenes that they were assigned. I asked them what is the most important part of their job?  They said it is mainly about making the opera come to life!  Finally, I asked them what they enjoy most about their job?  They both seem to enjoy drawing and painting the set. They really look forward to making the opera come to life, which they will do by creating the scenery and sets to go with the story.  Jake also added that he likes learning more from Ms. Garcia about drawing, painting and art.  Stay tuned for next week when Audrey will be talking about carpenters.   

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