Sing!
The older get...the smarter I get. Actually, my perspective about many things has always been not necessarily in the 'norm'. I am grateful that I can think for myself without trying to follow the mainstream patterns. What am I talking about?
I sing. It is probably what most of my students remember and their parents, too. The song, "High Hopes" by Frank Sinatra was one that I easily referenced when kids thought they couldn't accomplish something. I would play it for them from my CD of favorite tunes. They would learn it and sometimes all I had to answer them with was...
"Just what makes that little old ant... think he can move that rubber tree plant? Everyone knows an ant can't...move a rubber tree plant!! But he has 'High Hopes!!"
Imagine my surprise when at my last assembly before retirement, with all of the kids from all three grades along with a bunch of their parents in attendance...heard the principal ask me to lead everyone in song one last time with "High Hopes". I thought, 'Really?'
I agreed to lead it as long as my kids joined me in singing it along with anyone in the audience who knew it, too.
It was refreshing to hear how many were singing along. There was safety in numbers, and the event was priceless. It was a good time.
So, what exactly is my point?
Ask people to sing and they will tell you they can't sing. To which I reply that everyone can sing...if the focus is not on whether they sound like a professional singer. Singing is therapy and fun.
Have you ever sung along with Kate Smith belting out, "God Bless America" ?
Ask someone to draw or paint, and often they respond that it is not one of their strengths. So??
Why are there many people so hesitant to attempt to join in something because it won't be perfect...or good? Media and/or culture has gotten the message out that we must be the same, wear the approved styles, be the correct size, etc., etc, etc
What do you think? And ... do you sing?
I sing. It is probably what most of my students remember and their parents, too. The song, "High Hopes" by Frank Sinatra was one that I easily referenced when kids thought they couldn't accomplish something. I would play it for them from my CD of favorite tunes. They would learn it and sometimes all I had to answer them with was...
"Just what makes that little old ant... think he can move that rubber tree plant? Everyone knows an ant can't...move a rubber tree plant!! But he has 'High Hopes!!"
Imagine my surprise when at my last assembly before retirement, with all of the kids from all three grades along with a bunch of their parents in attendance...heard the principal ask me to lead everyone in song one last time with "High Hopes". I thought, 'Really?'
I agreed to lead it as long as my kids joined me in singing it along with anyone in the audience who knew it, too.
It was refreshing to hear how many were singing along. There was safety in numbers, and the event was priceless. It was a good time.
So, what exactly is my point?Ask people to sing and they will tell you they can't sing. To which I reply that everyone can sing...if the focus is not on whether they sound like a professional singer. Singing is therapy and fun.
Have you ever sung along with Kate Smith belting out, "God Bless America" ?
Ask someone to draw or paint, and often they respond that it is not one of their strengths. So??
Why are there many people so hesitant to attempt to join in something because it won't be perfect...or good? Media and/or culture has gotten the message out that we must be the same, wear the approved styles, be the correct size, etc., etc, etc
What do you think? And ... do you sing?
Labels: education, singing, What do you think?



6 Comments:
point well made, let's all sing more!
By
Christine, At
September 25, 2014 at 12:10 AM
I do sing, but not as much as I used to.
So many things would trigger a song in me, and then my own kids would groan and say "Don't sing". Now my grand kids say "Don't sing".
I think I need to sing more.
By
Linda Reeder, At
September 25, 2014 at 12:21 AM
Oh yes. I do sing.
By
Kay, At
September 25, 2014 at 2:30 AM
I sing at church...many also say they can't write but they can.
By
Great Grandma Lin, At
September 25, 2014 at 9:08 AM
I sing all the time...badly.... Lol
By
RamblingWoods2.com, At
September 26, 2014 at 6:49 PM
Singing is very therapeutic.
I sing but only at home.
Jenn used to cringe when Lorrie and I would break out in song inspired by a work or line...
We often sang "Amen" from "Lilies of the Field" at mealtime.
LR
By
Anonymous, At
September 29, 2014 at 3:09 AM
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