My Class Tis of Thee (teaching)

They say you are not supposed to smile until Christmas. I, of course, am not close to pulling that one off. I do understand the philosophy behind the idea. If you are too friendly or too permissive, the environment that is created will not promote learning as much as it could. It is my goal to promote learning and I know that I have a lot to learn about creating and maintaining an effective classroom.

Today, I was so overcome by what happened, there was no way I was going to be all business. My class takes part in some incredibly standardized morning routines. We journal as children are getting settled and homework is being checked, then we go on to the pledge (chair in, right arm out, hand on heart). They began singing "My Country Tis of Thee" rather quietly. It was a Thursday...we were a little sleepy. So, I put my hand by my ear and squinted my eyes. Well, what resulted was so amazing, I almost doubled over laughing.

My students screamed/yelled the whole song. They did not get quieter towards the end. They did not miss a word (I had no idea they all actually knew the words). And, they were loud. I could not control my laughter. The love screaming the song so much and there was no way I was going to make them stop. The rest of the day was kind of affected. But, I have never heard a more energetic rendition of a patriotic song in my life. I'm thinking of recording them.