Singin' in the Rain
April 14, 2008 09:12 PM EDT
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rating: 10/10
(26 votes)
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comments: 55
As you all know, I have taught kindergarten for the past twenty-seven years. Hanging out with wee ones over these years, I have learned many things. First, you can't take yourself too seriously...they don't...so why should you? Secondly, they are most forgiving. Should you make a mistake, although they are the first to call you on it, they are also the first ones to tell you it's alright when you apologize. Thirdly, as long as you are honest and forthright, they will follow you anywhere. Young children are just so easy to be with. You can share your life as they share theirs at circle time. Every morning we have "grand conversations" right after book exchange and morning exercises. We talk about where babies come from, whether or not you need to be married to have babies, why someone has brown skin, why people get divorced, what God looks like and why people over 55 can have ice cream for breakfast if they want it. It is sharing time...we share ourselves so that we might know and understand one another better. So we might be empathic with another person's position and needs. So we build a community, not just of learners, but a real community of people who respect one another.          To cement that community, after sharing time, we sing. Letting our voices sing out in song brings us all together. Now that it is springtime in Massachusetts, we have learned a new song. Whether it be raining or not, the children beg to sing "I'm Singing in the Rain", the old Gene Kelly song. But we have made a slight adaptation. We only sing the first four lines and then we add some body movements...so it goes like this:
I'm singin' in the rain,
I'm singin' in the rain,
What a glorious feeling,
I'm happy again....
(add one body movement with each re-singing)
1. Thumbs up
2. Elbows back
3. Feet together
4. Bottom out
5. Head up
6. Tongue out
(chorus)
Chee chee chee
Chee chee chee
Chee chee chee (2X) as we swing our hips back and forth.
Every Tuesday Lynne M. is in our class as our parent volunteer and though I begged her not to...these are the images she captured. Now you have to admit, once you have sung "Singin' in the Rain" with a group of kids with your "bottom out", your head up and your tongue out", no way can you ever pretend that you are a sophisticated, intellectual matron about town.
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Comments: 55
I have incredibly fond memories of that song though. A dear friend of mine actually danced in the rain for me while playing his guitar and singing that tune and it is one of my favorite images when I need uplifting. I laughed till I cried and could hardly breathe. Thanks for the memory.
I would love to have you come visit my class and be a volunteer. I think you would have the most marvelous time...I know I do everyday. I could have retired two years ago but I can't imagine what I would do that could compare with teaching.
Thank you dear friend. I have to admit when I saw your comment, tears did trickle. Not often do teachers receive such wonderful feed-back from parents.
As for the concert on Friday...that will be most fun. If I have time tomorrow night I'll post some of the practice session photos Lynne took last Tuesday. They are a riot. Although "singing in the rain" isn't included, I imagine some of the mothers will shout "Encore" at the end and request that song...and if that is the case, I think I will ask the audience to participate.
Like you I have sung my way through life.
What's this about ice cream for breakfast? I turned 55 and nobody told me?????
I often think of Anne Dillard when I reflect on the choices I have made in life:
"Because how we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives."
But of course you can have ice cream for breakfast...you've earned it!
All my children are Einsteins in their unique ways...that's what is so wonderful about sharing your life everyday with thirty-four young ones. You soon learn there is not just one way to navigate life! Lol
Without your awesome pictures, this photo-essay could not have taken place. You have a gift...a gift of sight...of capturing the innocence of children and the silliness of a teacher. I bow to you, Lynne.
Now I need to ride over to Leah's house. Diana Shannon just called me and she was able to get 6 tickets to the Big Apple Circus for Leah's family. Diana had written them a letter about the fire and enclosed my Gather article...the Big Apple responded and donated these tickets. Wow!
It sounds like you and the children learn a lot from each other.
(And the kids are pretty cute, too... ;o) )
I do believe I learn more from them. The topics we discuss each day are just so varied. Then of course how different each one is and the style they bring to learning.
You found this article among all the clutter on Gather these days. Congratulations...I'm still having difficulty navigating this site.
Just got back from Leah's house...the whole family is overwhelmed with the whole idea of the Big Apple Circus. They will be going April 30th...Leah will be back from her Gram's then. I also dropped off clothes and toys from the class. All was appreciated.
I must read some Dillard...just got through reading one of Jong's poetry books...she's a trip!
Thanks for posting to All Photo Essays Here!
Another quote from Anne Dillard for you:
"If we listened to our intellect, we'd never have a love affair. We'd never have a friendship. We'd never go into business, because we'd be too cynical. Well, that's nonsense. You've got to jump off cliffs all the time and build your wings on the way down."
I didn't know Gene was named after Gene Kelly. Come on over...I'll be at faith h's house next week...we can bottom out dance and eat all the....opps...you can't join faith and I for ice cream, you won't be 55 for a long time. The rule is 55 - no exceptions!