Teachers Working Like Musicians

I had to get this down so I wouldn't forget.

I've been to Riverbend to see Sheryl Crow and Alison Krauss, and other bands on the side stages.  I love music...nearly any kind of music. 

My wife and I talked about how some musicians really work hard to bring the crowd into their show. 

Sometimes they play popular songs...like Alison Krauss and Union Station played for nearly an hour before playing "Man of Constant Sorrow" from the movie Oh Brother, Where Art Thou.  The crowd, since they a) weren't familiar with Krauss's songs, b) have grown up with no appreciation of the work that others do, and c) have little respect for those around them, was too loud and disruptive until the familiar song was played.  Then, everyone sang along, as if they were lifelong fans.  [Hypocrites.]

A couple years ago, The Steve Miller Band was at Riverbend.  They were great.  The crowd was singing nearly every song they played.

It made me wonder a few things about teaching and the interaction between a teacher and students.

1. Why doesn't a teacher record everything done in class, post it online as an "albums" based on their units of instruction?
2. Why do many teachers believe they have to change things from year to year to keep the material fresh, when an audience in a concert prefers (and is more engaged in) the stuff that is familiar to them?  How can we make our content somewhat familiar to our students?  I know...
   
3. Why don't schools offer "summertime school" for kids to watch the videos of the upcoming year to get an idea of what is coming their way.  Like downloading songs of the artist you are going to hear in a month?
4. Why don't we make homework a viewing or listening of the material that is coming in the near future to introduce students to the content before it is formally presented to them in the <strike> concert </strike>classroom?

I know many teachers do not want to be considered "entertainers" in their classrooms, but it was sure amazing to me how many people KNOW the lyrics to songs from 20-30 years ago.  That seems more like something that was learned and not just memorized.

Posted via email from Murry's World