“…And A-Five, Six, Seven Eight…”

*ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED NOVEMBER 19, 2020*

When I hear a count in at beginning of a song, my expectations are always high. You know the band is gonna bring it. Some examples:

• Outkast – “Hey Ya”
• The Beatles – “I Saw Her Standing There”
• Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs – “Wooly Bully”
• The Young Rascals – “Good Lovin'”

This morning on my way to work I was in the mood to listen to some Alabama Shakes. This one song that begins with “…and a-five, six, seven, eight…” came on had me bouncing all around. While sitting at the red light, I’m sure all of my bouncing and dancing was causing my stopped car to bounce and shake as well! The song instantly woke me up and put me in a good mood…so good that I had to replay it one more time on my short drive to school.

Today’s Track: “The Greatest” by Alabama Shakes
Album: Sound and Color

After my virtual meeting this morning with the whole class, my five other students who are live with me are so used to our routine that they immediately walked towards the front of the room to begin Number Corner (calendar and other math skills). I told them I was going to change it up a bit. I wanted to get their blood pumping and make sure we were awake enough to start the day. So, I played the first half of the song for them (they were pretty upset with me that I ended the song before it was over, but I had to). They were a little sluggish at first. But when they saw me jumping around like a crazy person, dancing, and playing an incredible air guitar (I have quite the skills), they knew that I wasn’t going to stop hounding on them until they joined in. They caved. Halfway through, they all had huge smiles on their faces, jumping around, and even trying to mimic my air guitar. 

It felt good to get that energy out with them. But there were some important things also that I wanted to show them:

• Yes, school can be fun. 
• No, teachers are not robots.
• Yes, teachers like to have fun and dance around the room too.
• No, we do not have to be so serious all of the time.
• Yes, it is important to dance like no one is watching sometimes and just let loose.
• No, we do not have to stick by a schedule and routine every single second of the day; it’s ok to change it up.

In the classroom this year, I think it is extremely important to address students emotional and mental health. So many things have changed for my little 6-year-olds since March. Think about it…they didn’t even have one full “normal” school year…ever! They don’t really know what it’s like! So, I’m trying to make things as “normal” as possible, but also bringing in some different components that you normally wouldn’t see if you walked into a first grade classroom, like music therapy. We all need these mental breaks and emotional releases. Not just the children, but the teachers.

Don’ worry, I did actually do some teaching today. 🤣😂
When you think about it, “5, 6, 7, 8” IS counting…so our jam session WAS cross curricular!

🎵😉🎵