BINGO

 

This year’s fifth graders were COVID Kindergarteners. 

In March of what could arguably be called their most formative year of schooling, 

They went home on a Friday and then didn’t return to school until the next year.

When they did return in 1st grade,

They had their temperature taken each day,

They were required to wear masks,

They alternated between in person and virtual learning, 

And they stayed in their classrooms the entire year for all Encore classes.

I remember visiting their first grade classrooms and teaching them on the wide variety of screens 

And in a wide variety of classroom set ups. 

 

For years, this year‘s fifth graders struggled with behavior and social skills because of their bumpy start.

Truth be told, they will probably always be affected by those Covid years.

Yet I’m happy to report that something has happened this year

And they, for the most part, have become enjoyable to teach!

 

And so, to celebrate our six years of ups and downs together, 

I am asking my fifth grade classes to remember anything they’ve ever done in music class.

If possible, I am then letting them do that song or activity.

 

It’s kind of surreal,

Watching and hearing these kids who are as tall as me

Sing songs from that stunted kindergarten year with such happiness and enthusiasm that it genuinely makes me smile.

I was quite amused on Monday

When my class requested BINGO and then all but yelled the song because they were so happy to be singing it.

 

I often wonder what I’m doing teaching music.

I often wonder if what I am doing is making a lasting difference.

Hearing those fifth graders recall songs and activities that they did during two of the most wonky years of our collective existence

Made me realize something:

I am helping lay the foundation to the soundtrack of my students lives.

The music I choose imbeds itself in their little brains and becomes a strange part of the nostalgia of their childhood.

I am helping kids be kids in a society that wants to grow kids up too quickly.

And for that,

For BINGO and the Freeze Dance and the Bear Hunt, 

I am grateful.