"I'm painting the room in a colorful way, and when my mind is wandering...there I will go."
---John Lennon and Paul Macartney
1 Remember last week (or was it two weeks ago?) when I reported about the student who loves obscure songs?
2 His name is John. He's the one who requested the Ink Spots' I Don't Want to Set the World on Fire, among other obscure gems.
3 He has since requested songs that cross generations.
4 Yesterday my classroom exploded into a colorful magazine workshop. I brought in bright-colored paper, glue sticks, two-sided tape, brand new magazines for cutting up, and let the kids loose.
5 They are required to make magazines that contain articles, which are cleverly disguised personal narratives and expository essays.
6 They all loved the activity, as it was a minimum day schedule anyway.
7 Engaging, to coin a trend-up word.
8 They got a chance to work with friends, chat, and get work done on a huge project.
9 In the midst of all of this, John called me over. He had on a Led Zeppelin black tee.
10 "Could you play 'Fixing a Hole'?" I stopped.
11 "By the Beatles?" I asked.
12 "Yes."
13 You may know that I play all sorts of music when students are doing desk work. I cross all styles and ranges, but rarely do I ever play Beatles. I don't know why I don't. I'm afraid they might hate it.
14 I'm good with Jack Johnson, Jason Mraz, Muddy Waters, Beethoven, Bach, Vivaldi (yesterday I played "Autumn"), and even mysterious music from ancient cultures, but for some reason I have avoided the Beatles over the years.
15 " 'Fixing a Hole' coming right up."
16 I looked up. Students looked like they were at a dance. They chatted, wrote, worked and enjoyed, when suddenly the room filled with "Fixing a Hole." Here are the lyrics:
I'm fixing a hole where the rain gets in
And stops my mind from wandering
Where it will go
I'm filling the cracks that ran through the door
And kept my mind from wandering
Where it will go
And it really doesn't matter if I'm wrong
I'm right
Where I belong I'm right
Where I belong
See the people standing there who disagree and never win
And wonder why they don't get in my door.
I'm painting the room in a colourful way
And when my mind is wandering
There I will go.
And it really doesn't matter if
I'm wrong I'm right
Where I belong I'm right
Where I belong
Silly people run around they worry me
And never ask me why they don't get past my door.
I'm taking the time for a number of things
That weren't important yesterday
And I still go.
I'm fixing a hole where the rain gets in
And stops my mind from wandering
Where it will go.
17 I went back in time. I remembered how much I loved listening to Beates' music over the years. I loved the creativity and the fun use of diminished chords, tight harmonies, and exciting rock n' roll.
18 I segued into "Getting Better" "Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite" and finished off with "A Day in the Life."
19 John looked up on that one. " 'A Day in the Life'," he said with a knowing smile.
20 I nodded and smiled. The class had no idea, but suddenly the Renaissance masks hanging on the wall made more sense, the room seemed to fill with color, and I felt I was flying a Yellow Submarine.
21 I did bits and piece the rest of the day, looking way forward to my last class, which is a class that has already bonded wonderfully.
22 It worked.
23 As the end of that class came to a close and the end of "A Day in the Life" timed wonderfully with it, one of my best students remarked, "That music is creepy Mr. Harrington!"
24
25 "They intended for it to be creepy. They had a huge orchestra playing all sorts of random notes, and used four pianos at the end for the final note. It's one of the greatest moments in rock history."
26 He appreciated that.
27 It was all very cool.
28 The day felt like a masterpiece to me.
29 You get days like that, but usually not this early.
30 I grabbed my guitar after class and it was in perfect tune. I strummed along, since I know the song quite well.
31 I went back in time.
32 I hope you did too.
33 See you again.
34 Peace.
~H~
No comments:
Post a Comment