classgbs

I�m a teacher of fifth grade at an inner-city elementary school in Philadelphia. I have introduced them to Great Big Sea music via a positive thinking spot in the afternoon some days. I play �Ordinary Day� and they think about the good things that happened to them during the day. They write it down and we discuss whatever they are willing to share. There was so much teasing and fighting after school. In addition, I was doing a lot of yelling in the afternoon after lunch. Things had to change, so I just had to get them (and me) thinking on a more positive note when they left me in the afternoon.

I started by playing Ordinary Day and getting them to talk about how the song expressed what was happening as a positive experience. We talked about how SOMETHING good happens to them everyday � they just have to think about it! Some days, my positive thought on the day is the fact that I was able to make it through the school day still standing! But it�s positive nonetheless.

Well, by the fifth day of playing the song, they began to sing along with the b'ys! They also dance and clap. During free time one day a group of kids made up their own dance! Well, several kids have told me they really like the song and the idea of thinking positively. It hasn�t stopped everyone from fighting after school, but we certainly have less trouble. They�re working on memorizing the song (a homework pass to anyone who can!).

I thank GBS for the joy they've brought into my life and that of my students. When I told them I was going to see the b'ys in concert at the Trocadero, they said they wanted to tell them how much they liked their songs. Here is a collection of comments from several of the kids in the class.

Dear Great Big Sea,

Shanica � The song Ordinary Day is fun to listen to.
Jasmine � I like the song because at the end of the day it�s always all right.
Mahkem � Your songs have good rhythms and I like the words.
Rashida � I like the song Ordinary Day because as soon as Mrs. T started playing the song, I started to like it. Every day I go home I start singing the song.
Amber � This song makes you think about good things and you can learn from it if it plays enough. Thank you for writing the song, I really like it.
Juwan � The song Ordinary Day is fun to sing. I like the beat and when the guy says �And I say way hey hey.�
Lisa � I like the part of the song when it says at the end of the day you�ve just got to say it�s alright. You know it�s not so bad.
Eric � I have fun thinking about the fun in school because we had art and I have the best teacher. You just got to say it�s alright!
Theresa � Our ordinary day was great! We got three compliments from Ms. Chen the music teacher. And we don�t have any homework!
Lorne � It�s true at the end of the day you�ve got a smile on your face and you got four walls around you.
Marquise � A lot of good things happened to me today! Our Ordinary Day was great!
Zambria � I like the part where they talk about Janie. It�s nice when she doesn�t give up. I won�t!
Tanisha and Adrian � I love Ordinary Day because it reminds me of myself at the end of the day. I just have to say it�s alright.
Stacey � What I like about it is it talks about our ordinary days. I might ask my mom can she buy the CD.
Jozelle � I like the song because it is true people do need to have faith, because there is sorrow in everybody. But it is always all right if you have faith.

From Room 21
Blankenburg School