Three's a Teaching Charm!

Whew! Today was a total of 5 classes, 2 schools, and a whole lot of high energy kids! I'm a bit exhausted, but there were some definite positive events today!
I started off in Sutton with a fourth grade class. This was a new environment because we were teaching in the classroom, not a music room. They had already performed their Spring Concert so we were going over some song flute music. Having 20+ 10 yr. olds all squeaking away on high-pitched instruments is not a fun thing to listen to, but once we got them settled down and playing together, I was impressed by their playing skills. When they divided into 2 parts, I got a chance to try conducting. It wasn't much, but by shouting 1 2 rest rest! everything stayed together! Then, we had to travel back to the 'home base' for a fourth grade class (more chorus singing, this time with dance moves!) and then one more observation of a fifth grade class.
After lunch, I taught my first real class! With the 3rd grade, I went through the Memorial Day lesson and got them started on the dulcimers. For my first stab at teaching, I think I adjusted really well (I realized they had missed last week's lesson and so I had to go over more information then planned on the folds of the flag). Other positives: they were perfectly behaved! Also during the dulcimers, I found two boys who didn't really seem to know what they were doing. It was great to straighten them out (literally turn it around so one was holding it the right way) and when we finished, they could play 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.' That was really rewarding and I look forward to seeing how far they get next class! I think I need to work on being clear and concise in my explanations. I could tell by the end, the attention had wandered for a few. But I think this will come with experience. After reviewing the 1/2 grade lesson, I also got to work/teach a first grade class. We sang 'Fireflies' and I did the music theory lesson with them. Pros- they followed my directions and were involved in the lesson. Cons- I had a mishap with terminology and I think it mixed them up a bit so I'll have to be really careful to make sure they understand what I'm trying to convey. All in all it was a great day!