Friday at 4:00
September 17, 2021
FROM THE DESK OF DR. RODRIGUEZ
Our educators are our most valuable asset. Their talent shines through in every aspect of education, from classroom management to discipline to direct instruction to creativity. Once in a while, I get the opportunity to sit with them and chat about what they love to do: TEACH! Here are the highlights of a quick interview between our extremely talented music teacher, Ms. Alice Kahng, and me. Enjoy!
AR: What made you want to teach music?
AK: The reason I decided to become a music educator comes from my intensive training in piano, starting at age four. When I was young, I only had teachers who were extremely strict and quick to criticize. I was good at the instrument, but I did not have enough positive feedback. Frankly, I wanted to quit music all through my childhood! Then, I met my piano teacher in high school, Ms. Avakian. She was strict, too, but she always mentioned something no other teachers said before: enjoy music. She challenged me, and at the same time, she told me to feel it. I know many of us have quit learning a musical instrument because of the intensity. So, I told myself that one day I would be a trained, passionate, and FUN music teacher. Music learning should be an active experience. With this motivation, I became the first undergraduate from the Eastman School of Music to double major in Piano Performance and Music Education. I went on to teach students of all ages across New York, Los Angeles, Compton, and through the Peace Corps in Burkina Faso. At Riviera, I hope to continue fostering musical and creative experiences in the students’ lives, so they may feel empowered to express themselves, and appreciate and embrace the diverse identities and abilities of their peers, and come together because music unites us.
AR: Teaching music to a three-year-old is vastly different from teaching music to a student in fifth grade. How do you get children at different grade levels excited about what they are learning in your class?
AK: I think there are two elements. One is about finding the age appropriate songs -- different songs appeal to different ages (e.g., younger ones love "Twinkle, Twinkle," but how a fifth grader perceives that song may be significantly different). The other element is how I introduce and set up the song/concept. Older kids need less of this kind of “hook,” but for younger children, music is altogether intertwined with voice, movement, and drama. It's almost like having to put on a show for the students in the younger levels! It’s really all about making it relevant for each grade level.
AR: Studies show that learning music theory and notation is strongly correlated to success in math. Do you see evidence of this, and if so, how?
AK: Definitely I do. Rhythm is all about counting, dividing, and subdividing beats. Musicians have to learn and memorize intricate patterns and understand how they relate to each other. Pitch is also mathematical; you have to measure intervals. Chord progressions from our own favorite songs are harmonies related to each other through mathematical formulas. Part of music theory is understanding that, so music, even at its most basic level, functions teaches us how to think mathematically. Music helps us internalize math.
AR: Every child has a gift -- some were blessed with the gift to draw beautiful portraits, others to write amazing poetry, and others to learn music easily. I studied classical piano for 12 years, but please don't ask me to draw anything because it will look like an abstract painting. How do you help the students who have a talent in something other than music and may be struggling with what you are teaching?
AK: That’s interesting; I am the same way about drawing! Well, first I have to meet the students where they are. And everyone needs to put in the effort. Along with that comes differentiation. Presenting the song in multiple mediums allows students to identify their own learning styles and strengths, and to appreciate the different learning styles of their classmates. By singing, moving, and playing together simultaneously, every student is both a teacher and a learner, finding pride in each other’s diverse strengths. With hard work and cooperation, everyone has the ability to be part of a team, no matter the talent.
AR: What do you love most about teaching music?
AK: Music is what makes us human. It’s joyful, it’s healing, and I love being part of the development of each child who walks into the music room.
What is music class all about?
We walk
Ears
Preschoolers
enjoying the different songs Ms. Kahng plays for them on one of her many instruments.
Yearbook Picture Retakes
This is only for students who were absent on the original Picture Day, September 3. Students who need to have their picture taken on September 27 should come to school in their regular school uniform.
Monday, Sep 27, 2021, 08:45 AM
6800 Nervia Street, Coral Gables, FL, USA
Are You Smarter than a Fifth Grader Studying Math with Ms. Cohen?
"Move the decimal point over three places to the left."
"Don't forget to count ALL the places in the entire entire equation before moving the decimal point over in your answer!"
How many times did you hear this sage piece of advice in school while learning about decimal points and where they belong? We remember these words often these days when we visit Ms. Cohen's fifth grade math class. As of late, students have been working on dividing decimals by whole numbers and dividing decimals by decimals. Collaborative games like Division Bingo and Decimal Tic-Tac-Toe make learning about decimals all that more exciting for students. And really -- who doesn't love to figure out mathematical equations on a mini whiteboard and dry erase markers?!?! Thank you, Ms. Cohen, for a pretty cool math activity!
How Bulldogs Keep in Touch!
Email: riviera@rivieraschools.com
Website: rivieraschools.com
Location: 6800 Nervia Street, Coral Gables, FL, USA
Phone: (305) 666-1856