First visit to montreal: part two

Between classes, Mr. Ed explained that the students had been writing for two hours straight that morning for the NECAPS.  Between being cooped up for the past few days because of rain, and the testing, the children were a bundle of nervous energy.  He urged me to include this in my blog.  We talked about some instrumental students that would be coming in around 2:00.  I would working with them, especially the trombonist.  He also mentioned that these students really aren't children; they're like small adults.

I said, "Grown up before their time?"
He said, "That's about right."

The 8th grade students began to enter the classroom.  They were much less rambunctious than the 6th graders.  They were also much larger, and more or less the same size, with one exception; Frank looked like a high school senior.  I was surprised to see so many different sizes and shapes amongst the 6th graders.

There were fewer outbursts amongst the 8th grade students.  However, their outbursts were generally more intense, with a fighting edge, and sometimes included foul language.  Mr. Ed took them straight to the risers to rehearse.  They were better behaved than the 6th graders, and more music was rehearsed with them.  Curiously, about fifteen minutes into the class, Greta wandered in and sat at one of the tables.  Mr. Ed asked her to come up on the risers.  She did not answer him, and did not move.  Mr. Ed mentioned that Greta had complained about her art teacher, and had been transferred to his music class as a result.  He told her that if she did not participate, he would have her transferred to another class.  She did not move or respond to him.

Unfortunately, the instrumental students did not arrive until 2:20, and none of them brought their instruments.  I got all of their names, and the instruments they played.  Harry plays saxophone and 30 other instruments.  Iggy plays the clarinet, and Jack plays trombone and Guitar Hero.  Larry plays guitar and clarinet.  I'll be spending my weekend thinking of some kind of activity that Spock and I can do with them.  I told them they had to bring their instruments next Wednesday.  I also friended Spock on Facebook, so maybe I'll get in touch with him over the weekend so we can plan something for next Wednesday.