Posted by Teacher Ria in Uncategorized | 0 Comments

Vintage Update

The other day I was in the elevator with a bunch of college students. There were about four of them who had their iPods on and I couldn’t help but look at their headphones. I chuckled a bit because their headsets were so much like the big old chunky headphones I used to use as a child. While it was reminiscent of the old headsets I used to use, theirs is sooo much nicer. One of them had a set of those black shure headphones that was most like the ones I used to use but the others had really funky designs on their sets. I kinda wish I had my set still so I can re-work the design and update it from the vintage era haha. Seriously, though, I still prefer earphones to these sets because their easier to carry along. I can’t help but wonder, however, if headphones are better for the ears because it doesn’t go straight in to the eardrum. Any ideas?

Posted by Teacher Ria in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Summer Lovin’!

It’s just about that time of the year again Yey! I suddenly miss the busy-ness of preparing for moving up day and planning for the summer programs in school. I remember having to draft out lists of to-do’s and what-to-pack’s for the summer fun classes we used to have. I miss having to clean out the backpacks for hiking, inflatable pools for swimming, and sand toys for “beach play”.

Now that I’m in the “adult” world, my summer will be filled with research. Boo. I sooo miss summer lovin’.

Posted by Teacher Ria in Music and Movement | 0 Comments

Music and Movement in Kids Curriculum

One of my fondest memories of preschool teaching was when one of my little kids handed me a CD for circle time. She proudly came in to the classroom waving it in the air saying, “Teacher, Teacher, for you!”. After I thanked her, she says “teacher, please play it during circle time because when you sing, it’s not nice eh!” . OUCH! Haha. While that little incident did make me stop and think about including music and movement in my curriculum, I did not let it deter me from doing so. I realized that the incorporation of music and movement activities in class DOES have a lot of advantages for the kids.

Incorporating music and movement at whatever grade is important. For early childhood classes, introducing simple instruments can be explored. In fact, making such simple instruments can be included in arts activities. For older kids,  more complex instruments can be introduced and for advanced learners, they can even explore the mechanics of such instruments. For example, they can learn about how to change guitar strings, replace drum skins and the like. They can also look into the wiring system of electronic musical instruments and use a seymour duncan jb in order to experiment on how adjusting guitar strings can bring a better balance to the sounds the instrument produces. From there they learn more than just music, but even elements of electronics, engineering and mechanics.

Overall, much as I am not very musically inclined, I do see the value of making music a part of everyday learning.