For my creative project, I chose to write a song. I have been singing and playing the piano ever since I was a little girl. I have created arrangements of songs but have never actually written my own until now. So not only was this kind of risky to do for a class project, but it was a little risky to do in general. However, I felt that through my love of music I could best portray what I have learned through this semester.
This song is the story of a young English Language Learner who comes into a classroom knowing little to no English. It is from the perspective of the teacher. This teacher sees how scared and insecure the child is and is somewhat baffled and overwhelmed at how to help the student. The song goes on to tell how the child begins to make friends, gain some confidence in her English acquisition, and ultimately begins to believe in herself and see the potential that she has.
The chorus of this song is what truly defines what I have learned as a future teacher. Regardless of how difficult it may be and how much work it takes, I won’t give up on my student. Giving support and showing that I believe in them will help them believe in themselves. Their culture and background help shape who they are as a student. As a teacher it is my responsibility to forget about stereotypes and see the child for who they are, not for what society says they are. “It’s all about where you start” is the title for the song, and this states exactly how I feel. Helping a child feel and see success begins with the teacher and their attitude.
Below is the link to a Youtube video of me singing "All About Where You Start." A copy of the lyrics are included underneath.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgL9FyMMivs&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL
Shy, scared, she's in a whole new world.
I speak and she doesn't respond,
She's lonely, afraid, and unsure.
How do I help this child understand
a language she doesn't yet comprehend.
Chorus:
I will not back down till her storm passes through
I will show my love and I'll believe in her too
I will give my all and I'll try to get through to her heart
And it's all about where I start.
Days go by, silence keeps,
but her circle of friends has grown by strides and leaps.
A single words and another one comes,
her confidence starts to grow.
Feeling faith in herself and from those all around
Her grasp of the language begins to abound.
Chorus:
I will not back down till her storm passes through
I will show my love and I'll believe in her too
I will give my all and I'll try to get through to her heart
And it's all about where I start.
Bridge:
Faintly it starts with a phrase or two
until the words can't help but flow.
And she realizes that she's come a long way
and there's no limit to where she can go.
I did not back down till her storm passed through.
I showed my love and I believed in her too.
I gave my all and I know I got through to her heart.
Because it's all about where you start.
