Klarinet Archive - Posting 000034.txt from 2002/06

From: "Jay Webler" <webler1@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Teaching the 'students' of today
Date: Sun, 2 Jun 2002 00:39:07 -0400

Often we worry about being mean to kids because we expect them to come
up to a reasonable standard and we have to lay the law down to get them to
do it.
I would like to suggest that perhaps it is the child who is one being mean.
When
children disrupt a class and the teacher yells at them, who is the one being
mean? Is it not the one who is showing absolutely no consideration to
fellows students, or respect for authority. I think that we might want
to reconsider our definition of meaness. In Proverbs we are the who
loves their child disciplines him often, while the one who does not
discipline
hates the child. We often think that we need to overlook bad behaviour
because
we don't want to be criticized. We don't realize how that can be
distructful to a child
in the long run. I know that it is possible to over discipline, sometimes I
feel that I have
been guilty of that with my own children, but by and large I have seen a
permissiveness
in our society that is just plain scary to me.

Let me put it this way. A man is on the tracks and a train is coming. 2
people sees what is
happening. One decides that he doesn't want to upset the man on the tracks
and just says
some nice things to him. The other runs and knocks the guy off the tracks,
and in the process breaks
the man's arms. Who is the mean one?

Jay Webler
Jay's Clarinet and Percussion

----- Original Message -----
From: "Karona Poindexter" <poindka@-----.net>
Subject: Re: [kl] Teaching the 'students' of today

> I think the general issue is that children need to be children and adults
> need to be adults. Many of today's kids think that they are adults and
> most of that comes from the lack of control that the parents have. I
> mostly have young students and some I have some who has a comment for
> everything that I say. I said to one kid, "I hope you don't do this with
> your parents," and he said "sometimes I do." I said to him that that was
> wrong. And I had no problem saying that to him.
>
> Sometimes, I feel I'm too mean with my students but the parents think I'm
> great and are very thankful for my style of teaching. They also feel that
> I'm patient. So I feel that I do okay, need improvement as anybody does,
> but I do okay.
>
> On Saturday, June 1, 2002, at 08:20 PM, KarenEDB@-----.com wrote:
>
> > Dear list members-
> > I have read with great interest the posts about band students and
the
> > band programs of today! i am a MS Band director as well as a private
> > teacher! The program I teach in is very large-about 1/3 of the school
is
> > involved. As with anything-the variety of students is amazing. I have
a
> > number of amazing students amd I have those who-well----really struggle
or
> > don't try at all. I have high expectations from my students because it
> > helps
> > them to take more ownership in their progress! The students in our top
> > groups read a LOT of literature and give 5-6 concerts a year. We also
> > expect
> > them to do simple theory and to display correct playing skills. I never
> > let
> > up and they enjoy their improvement! I also have studetns that are not
> > easy
> > to control-=but I must say-that is true for them in every class, the
sad
> > thing is that they detract from those who really care and want to
> > learn. I
> > believe this is where parents should come in. Todays society expects
> > teachers to fix everything and as much as we try, it isn't possible.
> > Parents
> > need to bear more responsibility in these cases! I will do whatever it
> > takes
> > for a student to learn but they have to want it!
> >
> > When it comes to private lessons. I tell my students at the onset
> > that
> > they are expected to come prepared or they may lose the priviledge of
> > studying with me. I rarely have many problems with attitude and if I do
> > it
> > doesn't happen again. In private teaching I never have to resort to
> > being
> > mean. I work to get to know my students as people because I am not only
> > teaching music I am teaching them to become the best adults they can be.
> > I've always had the philosophy that my goal was to teach students to
love
> > music and the rest would happen-and it does!
> >
> > Sorry this has rambled-teaching public school is tough today. It
> > takes A
> > LOT of patience and LOTS of time beyond the school day! It often
consumes
> > your life. It is the greatest job on the world! I know my students and
> > parents parents repect me and work with me to do what is best for their
> > child. Do I abuse their time-absolutely not!! They should have time
to
> > try
> > many activities-that's what childhood is for! Good luck to all of you
who
> > have children in school music programs!
> >
> > Karen
> >
> > ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> >
> >
>
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>

---------------------------------------------------------------------

   
     Copyright © Woodwind.Org, Inc. All Rights Reserved    Privacy Policy    Contact charette@woodwind.org