My Stretching Experiences at Muse

First, I would like to agree with Amy; it was GREAT to spend some time talking with other teachers. It just helps!
Claudia's book along with Don and TuTu's influences are going to make my class a much more exciting place for my students.
As for my stretching- my lowest MI is verbal/linguistic. My verbal intelligence was strengthened through many of the activities in Claudia's class. Also, working in groups and needing to collaborate with peers stretched me to use my verbal intelligence and not some of my stronger areas. My struggle to see the "big picture" was also challenged thanks to my team members who needed to see the "big picture" before discussing details!
The performances Friday were GREAT!! We should all be proud of our accomplishments. It was a great end to the week. Have a great summer and good luck next year!

Valerie Satterfield
Pleasant View Elementary
Laurens County, District 55

Summer Stretch

I stretched my lowest two intelligences- music and interpersonal. My musical intelligence was stretched through keeping the beat, rhythm and repetition both in the songs as well as in keeping time for the various games played in classes. Intentional conversations and purposeful, productive group work stretched my interpersonal intelligence, and I gained confidence through speaking with others. I enjoyed working with others. Thank you for a super institute!

What a stretch!

What a great week! I truly enjoyed meeting so many interesting people, you are what helped make the week so special! I really had a visual/spatial stretch this week with journal entries. I am more verbal/interpersonal/musical, so Don and Tutu were right up my alley, but creating the journal was difficult for me. I was also lower in Naturalistic, but I really enjoyed Carl Sandburg's home and all the natural beauty of the mountains, although, there is no way I can stretch far enough in this area to have any type of appreciation for the snake...
Thanks Mary Lou and "Company" for the stretch!

Post Meeting Question

Briefly explain how you have stretched this week during the Muse Machine classes.

I am ten feet tall!

I feel all stretched out!!!! As music teacher people might think that i should know everything about teaching through the arts. That is simply not ture. I know a lot about music. I have learned a great deal this week. I have a better grasp on the other arts areas and how to integrate them. I think that Claudia book is an EXCELLENT resource. I feel so fortunate to have had her a an instructor for the course. Although 3 days with her is really not long enough! Personally I definitely have stretched my two weakest intelligences, verbal and intrapersonal. I have always felt that I am not at all good at creative writing. I have always felt awkard expressing my personal feeling in that way. I definitely thought I can NOT write poetry. Well Claudia proved me wrong. She made poetry writing easy with her excellent strategies. I wrote more that her assignments required. I even felt the NEED to share them with my husband (who loves to write). Thanks for all the fun this week everyone! I hope you all have an excellent year. - Melody Linaman

I really enjoyed meeting everyone this week, it was really nice to finally put a face to a name. I think that the biggest stretch for me this week was the final performance. I have never been good at getting in front of a room full of people and performing, I do it everyday for my students but adults is a whole different story. At the beginning of the week I was worried about it but by the end of the week I felt much more confident performing. I think that our whole group did a great job! Way to go group B. Hope everyone enjoys the rest of their summer.

stretching

I am not a dramatic performer or musician so these areas were stretching for me. It is helpful to be in a setting where there is support from other members in the class who were also sometimes out of their expertise. I am more comfortable trying out these areas in the classroom and will know how it feels to be in unfamiliar territory. Thanks to all that were in my group that encoraged and made me feel comfortable.