Liar, Liar…
•October 20, 2009 • Leave a CommentWhile the girls are showering I overhear Ella yelling, “I’m sorry – Addie I said I’m sorry.” I then hear Addie say, “Fine, just stop.” Then I hear Ella say, “Okay, but don’t tell mommy.”
When Ella got out of the shower I asked her what happened. She acted like she had no idea what I was talking about. Then when I pressed the issue and asked her why she told Addie she was sorry she made up some lie. I told her that was not the truth and if she didn’t tell me what happened in the next 5 seconds I would ask Addie what happened.
She did not tell me so I asked Addie. Addie told me that Ella squeezed 1/2 the conditioner all over the shower floor. I then asked Ella about it and she denied it. She then commented that she did not know who did it. She later told me that maybe Addie did it.
Addie overheard her and corrected the statement. Finally, Ella looked at me and said – Mom, I don’t think I want to talk about this anymore.
I told her that once daddy got off the phone she could tell him what really happened. To which she replied. Yea, I don’t want to talk about this any more.
UGH…the UGLY sin nature we are all born with. Praise God for sending HIS son to die in our place. We are such a mess!
Addie’s Strings Project Class 2009-2010 make the University of North Texas’ newpaper
•September 23, 2009 • Leave a CommentArea children study music under future ‘string’ teachers
September 16, 2009 by Managing-Editor
(Click Picture enlarge – Addie is on the right – brown dress w/ pink leggings.)
A group of students involved in the String Project practice. (Photo by Ingrid Laubach / Intern
By Graciela Razo / Senior Staff Writer –
Eight third graders gather around their music teacher in a circle, violins under their chins with one boy behind a cello as they all play a D major scale in unison.
This class is just one part of UNT’s String Project, an initiative to give music education students experience in teaching string instruments to children, as well as give area grade-school students an early start at learning a musical instrument.
Karrell Johnson, director of String Project and music education faculty member, points to sheet music for Alex Holmes, a 3rd grader at Immaculate Conception Elementary School. (Photo by Ingrid Laubach / Intern)
Director and professor Karrell Johnson said there is a great demand for this kind of program so local children aspiring to play an instrument can get an early start.
“There is a strong need to begin students as early as you can because of the coordination needed for a string instrument,” Johnson said.
The program is designed to train children from second grade through high school to coordinate with other musicians, a valuable skill when playing in school-sponsored orchestras.
The String Project has 90 to 100 students enrolled each year with 12 music education students teaching the weekly classes.
Classes are divided up into experience levels as well as the four types of instruments taught: violin, viola, cello and string bass.
Another goal of the program is to give the UNT students practice at teaching children.
“The main thing we’re looking to do is to not only teach the kids to play, but to train our future teachers,” Johnson said.
Cecilia Khazali, a music education junior, has been teaching with the String Project for two years. She joined to get teaching experience before she graduated.
“It is a good opportunity for the students to get experience with a classroom setting and figure out what works and what doesn’t work instead of having to put yourself out there in a real job,” Khazali said.
Khazali teaches three violin and viola classes per week with students ages 8 to 14.
She said the children benefit from the small teaching groups as opposed to the larger classes they would attend in regular schools.
The more experienced String Project classes have about six students and two teachers.
“They learn a lot from being outside of the school setting and having different approaches to the violin,” Khazali said. “I think it helps them out a lot as far as repertoire goes because they get more personal attention.”
Alison Hall, a music education sophomore, is beginning her first year as a String Project teacher and said she sees the classes as a way for her students to get an early start on their interest in music.
“I think they get really excited about playing with a group of kids that is motivating them to play,” Hall said.
As for the personal benefits she gains from the class, Hall said teaching is helping her figure out her own teaching style.
“I am learning how to talk to kids and expanding my knowledge on how to educate people,” she said.
Oh Ella….
•September 18, 2009 • Leave a CommentAddie has a homework assignment due Monday for Social Studies. It involves getting her picture taken somewhere in the community, showing the picture and then telling why this place is important to the community. Addie wanted to do this at Frisco Fire Safety Town. So, this morning I suggested to Addie that I come and get her at lunch – Skip the rest of the school day & go and participate in some of the activities at Safety Town. When I made this recommendation, Addie squirmed a bit and said she didn’t want to skip school (this is just Addie’s personality). Then Ella (3yrs & 4 months) starts chanting “SKIP, SKIP, SKIP, SKIP!!!” Oh Ella ….
Another event of this morning before school was getting Addie’s hair pulled back because girls with long hair must have it pulled back for gym class. So in the process of pulling back Addie was whining a little about how it hurt. I let her know that I was doing my best & that it didn’t hurt. When we finished, Addie went to put her shoes on & Ella requested that I pull her hair back like Addie’s hair. To which I replied I’d be happy to do. I got a rubber band and began to pull her hair back when Ella said… “I won’t fuss mama, because this doesn’t hurt.” Amazing at 3 how she strives to show up Addie already.
Oh Ella…
