A Flock of Fogies - Part Two

Performing for the grey generation

This morning was a re-run of yesterday...the place flooded with over 120 grannies & grandpas. Got to love that kind of local engagement! That really is a tremendous outreach by the kindy and a show of commitment by the families. Need to adopt a bit of that back at the day job!

As the show went though its paces I found myself thinking about how to stage manage the February gig, when I have been asked to have the children perform something in English. Already have the really good pianist onside, so a matter of props and practice, really.

Grannies & Gramps given handmade medals

Back in the classroom today, with super-warm I sensei, I noticed how even in old age (or more accurately, especially in old age) the bowing routine establishes the pecking order. How many other cultures begin conversations with needless but pro forma apologies ... basically for being inferior? And, therefore, what signal does that imprint on the kids? Respect for sure a good thing - I'd d'off my cap to Mo Farrah or Jonny Wilkinson in a heartbeat. But, just because another person is 'more important than me' or has a bigger house? Umm. Don't think so!



Naughty me. Told off, almost publicly, for not entirely finishing my miso soup for lunch. Is there a more heinous crime? Stripped & flogged?

Team dictadraw - performance anxiety!

Redemption - albeit in a different class, where A sensei has run out of ideas. Can I do something? Surely can, girl: watch this :) Divided 20 kids into 4 groups. Decided this by lining up by height - oh yes, mixed age group class. Rescue the situation by numbering off = perfect mix. Whew. Large drawing paper per group, with their own crayon set. While they fetched these I wrote the lyrics down on the back of my hand just to be sure - the CD player was not handy. I hate this - singing :(   Deep breath, sang song through from start to finish (minor mistakes!) and 20 blank faces and well-confused A sensei! OK...break it down to get real, y'all. Line by line re-sang, and re-sang...bright sparks who are not on my radar as they do not demand attention, tests of strength or jab me up the bum regularly popped up on the screen.

The teams' Black Cat pictures - lovely!

In groups, I asked them to listen carefully to my song, and to draw what they heard. I have only ever done this with small groups before (and a CD player); the team effort approach had everyone super attentive & amazingly engaged, quietly building their 'soundscape'. My idea (unannounced) was that they'd make one picture together, but the outcome of a hodgepodge collage from all angles was even better than I'd hoped for. In the end I sang far more times than I'd have dared, the children started to sing along (must keep the words the same!) and we had a nice display for the wall.

Thanks Let's Go & the Black Cat song! Next time, one big collage with 40 creators, I think!