This past weekend was particularly stressful in terms of trying to get organized and get everything wrapped up in the course. Our interdisciplinary unit is still in the works, unlike some other groups who've already submitted their drafts/finals. It's okay, though. Some of us work at a slower pace, and nothing's wrong with that. I just hope that the quality of our finished work is acceptable, or better yet, outstanding once we turn all of it in.
With regard to my professional development, I mentioned on Moodle weeks ago that I work with the kids in the youth choir at church in terms of literacy development. I joined my church's youth choir when I was 5, and I can say without a doubt that it really helped my literacy develop a great deal. Putting music and lyrics together was the first step for me to get interested more in reading and learning the different hymns, then breaking down the songs line by line for comprehension solidified the deeper meaning behind each hymn we sang for Sunday school. It wasn't just about learning how to sing and read notes, but also about reading and understanding what we were singing. Now that I'm in the adult choir, I help mentor the younger kids who are now in the place I used to be in, and I believe it's a strong foundation for them as young readers to find and appreciate the connection between literacy and music. These choir meetings occur weekly, however, I just need to bring in a camera to document.
I think song has a very strong impact on reading, comprehension, and literature, also in education, in general. If you watch Hannah Montanna, she makes up a song to remember all the bones in the body to pass a test so her dad would let her go on tour. My kids really took that to heart. They try to make up songs to remember things for school. Well, they also use it to make up not so nice songs to describe each other, but that's another story... :)
ReplyDeleteChristine, I know what you mean about attempting to tie things up and get organized. I think I am, and people tell me that I am, yet this week it just seems as if everything is crashing in on me!!
ReplyDeleteIt is nice that you have your choir to help relieve the stress.