My performing group played for the Freedom Institute's Public Policy Luncheon last week, Friday and Dick Gregory was the keynote speaker! I have media releases from all the students so, as soon as I get the video and pictures from that day, I will post them.
A grandmother of one of my students who was at this incredible event, sent me these flowers today, to my SCHOOL! What a wonderful surprise. I have NEVER gotten flowers delivered to my school.

THING 4

Thing 4 seems so interesting however, it is very confusing right now. THankfully, with Mozilla, I am able to keep different TABS open and was able to go back and forth; watching the video and creating my folders and feeds. I am excited to share these with my parents!

THING 3

Wow! Am I relieved. I re-read all my posts and have been 'sending' messages to view them. HOWEVER, there were SO many mistakes. THING 3 showed me how to go back (whew!) and edit.
Now, I need to find out how to post links to you-tube and my-space videos. There are massive amounts of incredible musicians that i really would like parents to view with their children.

Odin at Schulze

I met a wonderful teacher a few years ago at Vernor Elementary. She brought her son, Odin, a then Kindergarten student (now in 2nd grade). Both mom and son began taking violin lessons at the same time. Mom came to class when she could and she and I would often meet at lunch time for a 'private lesson'. The principal of Vernor and the mom stayed after school, many times each week and practiced together! The following year, Odin went to another school that did not have violin class. Then this school year, Mom transferred into ANOTHER school that I teach at (I teach in 5 elementary schools), and Odin is BACK. and so is his MOM! By the way, she has REALLY practiced and has been in the 'performing violin group' that played in Lansing (see earlier posting). I am ONE HAPPY TEACHER. When I get permission to post the 'Mom's name', I will. IN the meantime, here is Odin, a 2nd grader at Schulze Elementary in Detroit. I've gotten permission from mom: Ingrid Stemmerich, 1st grade teacher at Schulze Elementary.

AMAZING GRACE

Today, Ja'Kya (a 2nd grader at Schulze) asked me, "what are these black keys on the piano?" We were right in the middle of violin class andshe was sitting right next to me. I try to have ALL the kids sit close to me as I accompany them on piano.
Here is a very interesting video JUST about black keys.
I think you might need to copy/paste this into your web browser as I have not learned how to make a 'click-able' video yet.
http://rianniello.blogspot.com/2007/09/just-black-notes.html
BLOG here what you think about this one.
I'll try and put more videos for your viewing pleasure.
Hopefully, I'll figure out how to attach them where you'll just be able to POINT and CLICK.

Lansing 2008, HERE WE COME!

Our "Performing Violin Group" in Lansing, 2007. The students are working diligently at home and at our 7 after-school rehearsals in preparation for our 2008 Lansing trip. I have invited their principals (one of whom plays VIOLIN in our group), the Senators and House Representatives in which the students reside, as well as a member of the Michigan Department of Education.
We will be playing for the Freedom Weekend, in Cobo Hall, at the Public Policy luncheon where Dick Gregory will be speaking. I am hoping that the students and I get to meet him.

Thing 2

I decided to participate in this project because I really want to implement a continuing communication with the parents and students in my violin classes. I created a blog at which my students and their parents can address issues that very well may be of interest to others, a place where I can post interesting web sites, a venue for me to discuss in-class assignments and/or practice techniques and especially up-coming concerts etc. After reading the initial '1st and 2nd THING' I had no idea how vast the numbers of students, teachers, administrators, and support staff that are ALREADY immersed and implementing technical learning already! I had not thought about using TEXTING as a learning tool/option, but inadvertently did so. I have a sister that lives in Italy. Last school year, there was a music term, an Italian word (2da). I phoned my sister in Italy, right there in class and asked her. My students not only "HEARD" my sister (I put her on speaker), who of course is bi-lingual, but I got the answer right then and there. We write 2nd for SECOND..but in Italian it's "segunda" (hence 2da)By the way, there wasn't a computer in that classroom for us to use. I am excited to post my blog and am the type of person that is fairly open about having people 'enter my teaching world'.

Welcome to Mrs. Paterni's violin blog.
My intention for this blog is for parents and students to read about up-coming special events, discuss in -class situations, and ask questions as they relate to the violin class in our schools.
I have been a teacher in the Detroit Public Schools since February, 1975; that is 33 years. About 7 years ago however, I began to teach Kindergarten students and invited their parents to become involved in the classroom instruction. I have adopted a 'rotating violin schedule' . The schedule is set up as a 'pull-out' program. The students attend violin class twice a week.Each week, the class meets at a different time and we are on a 3 week rotation. This way, the students don't miss the same class every week. Rather, they miss the same class every FOURTH week.
I chose to post this picture because I felt very nervous standing on the stage of Bakers this past summer. Almost all of my students are NOT afraid to stand on stage and perform. This is because the method that I teach, encourages students to 'play solos' in class. We have lots of practice doing this: in class, for their peers, and for school performances.
I look forward to my co-workers, parents, and students participating in this blog.