Lesson 2: Speaking with Sound: Discussion Recall

Collaborating with my second class, "Speaking with Sound," was an enjoyable extension of the emotional work that we began in Lesson 1. Just how valuable the lesson proved was the fact that the children seemed to take to adapting the emotions thatwe used and recognized last week—happiness, calm, and excitement—when being introduced to the more intentional ones thatwe introduced this week, likes and dislikes and sheer wants. It was if the lessons were unfolding in such a way that the learning was coming more easily to the children—and more rewarding to me.

Merging Emotions and Intentions

It was delightful to see the kids recall and apply the learned emotion faces from Lesson 1 to this day's activity with newly introduced music clips. When I played an calm song, some of them automatically hugged themselves, as they did last week. And, when an upbeat, bouncy song was played, some automatically sprang, or started giggling, remembering how that type of sound was linked with excitement and fun before. It made me see how much they had learned—much more than the lesson materials, the fun behind it.

One Simple Note Can Be Extremely Powerful One of the most non-conventional moments of the class was the moment that I hit the note “C” on the digital piano keyboard. One sound—just one button, and the children burst out laughing and chuckling. I did it twice, and their laughter increased with fervor with each round. This single note was that universal trigger between me and between them. It was something so trivial and insignificant yet brought with it an entire mountain of fun and joviality. This moment gave me the reason why I enjoy teaching—because at times the best moments arrive due to the simplest reasons.

Joy in the Journey

Seeing the children brighten, smile, and react to the music not only made the class a success, but, sincerely, it was very personal. These lessons are not so much music or lessons in emotion—about giving children who sometimes need it moments of happiness, of individuality, of release. The energy of having the ability of bringing, in one room, the happiness, the tone, and emotive connection, it all was very special. And as an educator, it gave me a keen sense of purpose and pride. Lesson 2 was more of a beginning, and not an extension. And I look forward to seeing the music and the students take it wherever it goes from here.