Music can grab my attention and tug at my heartstrings, and I'm sure many of you have the same experience from time to time. Songs can also add variety to my classroom lessons, as well as giving children a chance to wiggle. For these reasons, I often include music in my lessons. In second grade, we'e in the midst of a long unit on respecting ourselves and others. A couple of topics have been on the importance of respecting cultural and money differences, so I read Dolly Parton's book Coat of Many Colors one day. Since we live so close to Dolly's home in Sevier County and to Dollywood Theme Park, the kids are familiar with her. Many of them have also seen the 2 TV movies based on Dolly's childhood in the Smoky Mountains, so interest in this book was already there. After the story, I taught and sang Coat of Many Colors, accompanied by my guitar playing. Lots of children were familiar with the words, especially the chorus, so they sang their little hearts out. As I was putting my guitar back in the case at the end of class this past Thursday, a chubby cheeked second grade boy softly called my name. This little boy has had some severe family problems to live through and is now in a healthy, nurturing environment both at home and at school. He had been sitting just 2 feet away from me, had helped me open my guitar case, and had sat mesmerized as we sang the song.
Because there was lots of commotion while half the students were being dismissed to go back to their classrooms, I leaned forward to hear the child's soft-spoken words. I got the feeling he didn't want anyone else to hear. Looking up at me with earnest blue-green eyes, he said gently, "Miss Mimi, that song makes me want to give all the love in my heart." My reply was a hug and an affirmation. "Well I bet you have lots of love to share." I got a bit teary-eyed, knowing the struggles this sweet boy has, and I thanked God for the joy of small moments such as this one.
