In percussion class, we are preparing for our concert on Tuesday. The concert date is in the handbook, online for all parents and students to see, and has been written on the board for about 3 weeks. At the beginning of class today, I mentioned that our concert is on Tuesday and then began to explain that the order we will be rehearsing the songs over the next couple of weeks will be the order that we perform in the concert. After that introduction, I had some questions. Fielding the third question was not easy: “When is our concert?”
My initial response is “ARE YOU KIDDING ME!?!” In some ways, I went there, but not as bad as the other students. The percussion class is composed of middle school students, so they are not always very kind. A few students treated this student and the question with the disrespect I felt like showing. My lead teacher helped break the moment by asking me to turn on the SMARTboard where he had prepared an announcement about times and order of performance. I’m thankful for a lead teacher to help break up these moments.
As the board was warming up, I said something to the effect of “Yes, I didn’t your question because this has been on the board, in your handbook, and online; however, I’d rather get this question now and here than on Tuesday.” We then discussed details of the concert with set up, performance order and take down.
In percussion class, we have them divided into 4 groups performing 1 or 2 songs. The second group has two songs because they mastered their first. They had just finished their second piece, Vivaldi’s “Spring”, when I called for the next group. The same individual who asked when our concert is starts to get set for his part in the next group while asking, “What about them playing Spring?” “They just finished playing Vivaldi’s ‘Spring.’” I need patience with clueless students.
December 3, 2011 at 16:34 |
O my… I have those… REALLY??? moments all the time with my students. Sometimes there just silly questions like within the first 5 minutes of walking into the classroom and say “How many minutes do we have til we get to go home” I am like really? Do you not want to spend the day with me? and give them a hug and they usually say I doooooo! Then it is the ones that you take all your time and effort and get into the kids for weeks in advanced and someone is still clueless. It is frustrating at those time. I just breathe!
December 3, 2011 at 17:59 |
Oh man, I think that problem comes with the territory! Heather and I have been astounded by how many of these types of questions we get right before big concerts or events. Usually it’s, “I wasn’t able to get work off for tomorrow’s rehearsal, concert, etc.” HUH???? Even though you’ve known about this concert since August 25th??? haha, Not all students are the superior planners we teachers are.
Good job fielding a tough question. And I love that the other kids had enough pride in their program to react the way they did to that student. It’s great when students start holding each other accountable . . . takes the pressure off of you. 