Sine Wave.

As I was dissecting, "Not Ready to Make Nice" for Week 2 of the music module, I discovered that the song, as in the case of most pop hits, has a certain distinct "wave" to its' "sonorous image."
The Dixie Chicks' piece begins with minimal instrumentation and dynamic, and we feel it smoothly growing- in energy, texture, and tone color. A certain height is achieved, it invites our greatest free imagination as listeners, and then we are released from its' catch, brought back down to the baseline or below it, in order to reflect on our emotions and truths.
I aspire to use the same "sonorous" energy, carried in a sine wave, as a way to inform my instruction in the classroom. For me, the idea is to begin a lesson with a catchy hook that encompasses review and a connection to the new, as we gather participants that hold "attention" and "expectancy."
We begin our journey up the curve, moving towards new energy and relevant ideas. I use smooth transitions, like the logical addition of the upbeat on a snare drum. I allow time, and I design optimally challenging work with full examples and supports for the children. Harmony enters just as a teacher would design independent, parallel tasks within a lesson. We are locking in. I'm relaxed, smiling, full of wit and light (L. Bernstein.) Tiny grace notes ride atop a conducted time signature and make for a lively piece, a "capriccio." Tasks that hold meaning and novelty enter as points on the curve.
The peak of our curve is full exploration. Freedom in our imaginations; cooperative, productive efforts and shared authority in our classroom relationships! Choice and time are given- a fair wavelength is set. We then travel down the other side of our sine wave; it holds private evaluation for understanding, recognition, reflection and thoughts on improvement. Mistakes are okay. A glimpse of tomorrow, a preview for everyone- more points on the curve. A tempo. Down at our baseline, we are filled inside and out as "gifted listeners." We've lent ourselves to the enjoyment and understanding of the "music" we've made.
Like Copland recognizing the truth in abstract art, when the beautiful sine wave takes shape in my classroom, it's "somewhat of a minor miracle, and each time it happens I remain slightly incredulous." Gasp!