Changes to NCLB

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/23/washington/23child.html

Conductor Hero

I like finding these crazy articles.  Here's another all about "Conducting Hero"

Could it be something that is developed into a viable teaching tool???

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/gaming/2008-04-14-ubs-virtual-maestro_N.htm

Here is an article that I just came across - I'm sure nobody looks at this anymore, but just in case... 

Horton Hears A Who

I just saw Dreamwork's Horton Hears A Who over the break, and I was talking to Haltmeier about how it connected to CP. I'll try not to spoil too much of the movie for anybody.

Basically, Horton plays the teacher role in his jungle society. He's well-liked, energetic, patient, understanding, albeit a tad bit off center. That is, until he hears the Mayor of Whoville, which resides on a miniscule "speck" on a flower. 

On the opposite side of the fence is Kanga, the "rule maker and enforcer" of the society. She is the final say in all things, and she keeps everybody on their toes. When word gets too Kanga about Horton's speck fascination, she deems this idea and the "dangers" it will lead to the society's children in their learning environment. Throughout the movie, Kanga attempts to persuade, con, and brutely enforce her influence on Horton (even hiring hit men in false exchange for her own son at one point). Kanga gets everyone in the jungle on her side, and only is opposed once Whoville is proven to be real (by her own son none the less), at which point she completely changes her view to that of Horton's.

The whole scenario (despite my horrible summary of an awesome movie) is completely similar to some of those that we've talked about in class (i.e. the intangibles of politics in schools/communities, the board of ed, dealing with parents, what is "right" and "wrong" to teach, etc).

Not to mention it had the best line in ay Dreamworks movie ever.

Anybody else see it? 

Religion in choral music

As I was doing my philosophy assignment, a thought came to mind in terms of exposer to different cultures.

Most religious music that I have sung at least in my High School and Middle School was mostly christian or Jewish based. Do you believe that we should sing other religious repertoire? Should we even sing it in public schools or stay secular?

I believe that some of the repertoire I have sung in the past were great and I see nothing wrong but at the same time , I would have loved to sing other religious pieces. Maybe something tibetan or even islamic , which I have heard choral music being done when I went to Egypt once.Just a thought.

Quote to consider

Hi everyone,

Here is a quote for you to consider as you construct your lesson plans. The quote is from the great pianist/jazz musician/recent Grammy award-winner Herbie Hancock:

"A great teacher is one who realizes that he himself is also a student and whose goal is not to dictate the answers, but to stimulate his students creativity enough so that they go out and find the answers themselves."
Herbie Hancock

Looking forward to seeing your lesson plans...
EH

Arts In Schools

Thought this was something we should all be aware about.  

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/07/nyregion/07schools.html?_r=1&oref=slogin