[I know that I really have not been blogging that much about education-centered topics...but hey, it is summer, and it is nice to stretch out my brain muscles on other things]
Last night I ended up watching 4-hours worth of VH1's "Top 100 Songs of the 80's" series. I just could not turn it off. Now understand that the 80's were the critical foundation years of my life - in 1980 I was finishing up 8th grade and in December of 1989 I graduated from college. All of my formative years were during this time period. It was amazing that EVERY song (and I am not exaggerating there) they played, I had some memory of doing something to that song.
Just some of the memories that came flooding back to me were: numerous school dances, couple skating at the Roller King, road trips with friends, breaking up with a girl, playing in my friend's pool, my first concert, all night study sessions, my first solo ride in my first car, cramming for an impossible final, numerous mixed tapes, BS-ing with friends around a camp fire, hanging out at an under-21 club, proms, homecomings, my first day in high school, my last day in high school, and even my first trip to a "gentleman's club" (trust me, if you have ever been to one of these places, you will NEVER be able to hear "Pour Some Sugar On Me" by Def Leppard the same way again). Every one of these memories were chronicled by a song and all of this well before there was such a thing as an iPod.
Music is such an emotion-stirring catalyst. I have always heard that our brains are so powerful that they actually have stored every memory, experience, conversation and words read that we have ever had - the problem is we just do not know how to tap into it. And with all the wild flashbacks I was having last night, I completely agree that it is all stored up there somewhere.
Wow...I sure did love the 80's!
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about this site...
This site is basically going to be some rambling thoughts from a middle school science teacher. I want to share some insight in what it is like being surounded each day by the "hormonally challenged" and why I could not imagine doing any other job.
I would love to get your feedback so please leave comments along the way...I always encourage lots of participation in my classroom.
And if you want to simply drop me a line or ask me a question, you can email me at:
I would love to get your feedback so please leave comments along the way...I always encourage lots of participation in my classroom.
And if you want to simply drop me a line or ask me a question, you can email me at:
about me...
- the teacher
- Well in a nutshell I am somebody who left an eight year career in the high tech industry to try and inspire greatness in young teenagers. Not only am I crazy enough to WANT to teach middle school, but I am also in process of getting my Masters in Middle Level Education...I have to be committed to be doing that (either as in being "dedicated" or "hosptialized" - your choice)
copyright...
Everything on this site is under copyright of the teacher. If you want to use or link any content you find here for non-commercial purposes, please make sure you reference this site. Hey, I am a school teacher after all and I do not even let my students plagiarize...
5 comments:
If you are into improving the state of education, check out http://detentionslip.org. Voted #1 for crazy school house news.
Well, duh. Of course the 80s were great--could the music get any better? =)
I have degrees in music, and I taught music at a performing arts high school, so I'm more than in agreement with your perspective.
Our senses are so attached to our affective side. I can still walk into a strange kitchen and if there's the smell of cinammon and cloves, then I'm immediately transported back to my grandparent's house and those wonderful Thanksgiving get-togethers. Music has the same power to conjure up memories for me. I loved marching band in high school, and to this day I can still remember a chilly, Friday night football game and the smell of popcorn when I hear a marching band. There are songs on the radio that instantly transport me back to college, a gig or a young lady I was in love with.
I think music and the arts, in general, are something all of us can relate to this way.
Thanks for your comments on my education post. They were appreciated!
DB
Improvement on music can be seen if most of us will study about it through music education online.