Slice of Life #22: Nintendo Elevator Music

 On Tuesdays I am writing and posting a slice of my life, hosted by Two Writing Teachers. 

Slice of Life #22:

Nintendo Elevator Music

"Do you want to listen to music as you work on your projects?" I asked a group of engineering students. It was a group that I have subbed for before.

"Elevator music!" A senior shouted.

I smiled, "Really?"

"We usually listen to awful jazz elevator music. It's comical." Another student shared.

Using the View Sonic, I logged onto YouTube for a music selection. I asked students to help me select music. I was surprised to see all of the options for elevator music. Nintendo Elevator Music appeared.

"NINTENDO ELEVATOR MUSIC!" A group of students cheered.

I clicked on Nintendo Elevator Music. An image of Nintendo characters appeared on the screen. For the rest of the class hour we listened to elevator music from Nintendo games. For the class hour, most of the students were on task. They were a great group to substitute for today. 

To me, it's amazing at how a little choice, like selecting music, can set a positive tone. 

What kind of music do you listen to with your students?  

 

Slice of Life #22: Happy 98th Birthday

On Tuesdays I am writing and posting a slice of my life, hosted by Two Writing Teachers. 

Slice of Life #22:

Happy 98th Birthday

"Hello?" 

 

"Happy Birthday, Grandma!" 

Last night I was delighted that my grandma picked up the phone so that I could wish her a happy birthday. At times, Grandma has a difficult day and she cannot quite figure out how to get her phone to work. She does not consistently remember how to check voicemail on her cell phone, so I would not have been able to get birthday greetings to her. (Grandma also has an Echo Show to help communicate. Sometimes she thinks that the Alexa voice is an operator "patching us through." I think that this is adorable.) 

Unfortunately, Grandma's Alzheimer's disease robs her of clarity. As usual, I reminded her that I was her granddaughter. Often I try to ask her about experiences from long ago. She seems to remember events from her childhood, time as a young adult, and from her marriage and when her children were small the most clearly. 

Yesterday was Grandma's 98th birthday. Yes friends, 98 years old! Since Grandma lives more than four hours away in an assisted living center, I was not able to visit her on her birthday. However, I visited her a few weeks ago with my kids.

A visit with Grandma at the end of March

Yesterday's conversation was a gift. I could almost hear Grandma smiling through the phone. 

As always, our conversation ended with these two phrases, "I love you and I am so proud of you!" These phrases always fill me with joy and deep gratitude.