Friday was a rainy day. I played the autoharp, and children sang and danced their hearts out. I love rainy days. I love music. More importantly, children love music. A child came up to me in the middle of the songs and asked, “Jennie, can you play “I Want to Hold Your Hand?”
Did I hear that correctly?
“I Want to Hold Your Hand”, by the Beatles?
Yes, that was exactly the song he wanted to hear.
After I got over my initial shock and excitement, I said, “Better yet, I have the real song, a record album. I’ll bring it in on Monday.” And I did. You could have heard a pin drop as I pulled the record out of the album cover with fifteen saucer eyes staring at what was happening. It was wonderful.
I turned it on, and children watched in amazement at the spinning record and the arm. The song came on. “I Want to Hold Your Hand” is the first song on the record album. The child lit up like a lightbulb. I sang along, and I reached my hand out to him every time the words said ‘I want to hold your hand.’ And then I kept going, singing along and holding children’s hands. All I could think was:
This is as good as it gets. I’m giving a child a song he wants to hear. I’m introducing music on a record player. I’m playing some of the best music from my teenage years, and the children love it.
Jennie
A Teacher's Reflections 
Definitely the best job, Jennie. Magic happens!
Yes! 😀
That is so cool that he wanted to hear this song. No doubt he heard it from his parents or more likely his grandparents. A bit of history. It is a great song and timeless. You do have a fabulous job!
Children never cease to amaze me. Thank you, Darlene! 🙂
Those children are going to look back at their time with you with such fondness, it will bring a tear to their adult eyes. You will live forever in their memories, Jennie. I for one cannot imagine any better legacy.
Best wishes, Pete.
My sentiments exactly–and very well-put!
Thanks, Liz. 🙂
Thank you, Liz!
I hope so, Pete. And yes, it is the greatest legacy. Best to you!
I’d trade jobs with you, except it wouldn’t be fair to the children. They deserve the best.
Awww… 😊
That’s not a job – that’s a pleasure!
I’m so glad you noticed that, Opher. I wasn’t sure about using the word ‘job’, because it isn’t a job when those many wonderful moments happen.
Jennie how wonderful, Those children are so lucky to have you and what memories they are building and skills to go forward into the world…:) xx
Thank you, Carol. Music sticks. And, it leaves one of those ‘time and place’ memories. I remember my fifth grade teacher because of the music she taught us. If some of the children I teach move forward and build skills with memories of music, that’s a good thing.
Everyone should have music in their lives… Jennie your children will most definitely be blessed with the memories you are helping them to build 😊
Yes, indeed! Thank you, Carol.
Love this!
This year, one of my Reception pupils wanted Black Betty played at our Christmas party!
Black Betty! That is so wonderful!! Music rocks (pun intended). 😀
We have an Easter disco next week… He’s already asked for it as a request!
I hope you play it! 😀
As long as the DJ is willing!
Yes! Most DJ’s are pretty cool and open to suggestions. Fingers crossed! 🤞
😀
Now, that’s my kind of pupil, bam-ba-lam!
He is a classic!
this is absolutely amazing jennie, on so many levels! the whole record and record player thing in itself is magic, but music, and giving them the experience and love of music is a gift. i am a teacher too, and it is impossible to have a bad day.
Thank you, Beth. Yes! The record player and record are magic with children. It is a hands-on method that makes music come alive. I love this! The experience sticks, and they learn and remember. I know you’re a teacher, more importantly I know you’re an excellent teacher. You’re posts go way beyond what the eye sees. Kindred spirits are we! Lucky us. No bad days. 😀
Thanks and you too)
😀
I can imagine showing a child something as antique as a record player must have been amazing. I think you are right. The best job ever.
It was amazing, John. I wish you could have been a fly on the wall. Those moments make it the best job ever.
You are a big component to making your job the best ever. 😊
That’s so kind to say. Thank you, John. 😊
It’s true. 😊
🙂
What a great time in teaching!
It definitely was!
Growing up loving music is SO important!
Yes, indeed! 😀
I so love this. Yes, it is beyond words when a child remembers a particular song, or they are trying to express an emotion through a song they have heard. This little fellow has a wonderful and exceptional relationship with you and it is his way of telling you how much you mean to him as a hero and person who he can look up to for his learning and guidance. What a grand thing to read!
I’m so glad you loved this, Anne. Music and art and reading make the biggest impact on children. And when a child remembers a song, piercing the heart has begun. That in itself is a tremendous thing, and the foundation for goodness and learning starts to flow. Having a hand in some of that is very special. And that little guy is very special. Thank you, Anne.
Jennie, this is so wonderful!
Thank you, Charles. It was wonderful. I wish you could have been a fly on the wall!
So do I!
🙂
🙂
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“This is as good as it gets” … truer words were never spoken. Awesome job! I had not thought about it, but I imagine at least half the kids that age have never seen a record player, at least not in action!
I think you are absolutely right! Thank you, Jill.
Absolutely the best job ever and you do it better than anyone. I still think a record and the player are magic. So is pretty much everything. 🙂
I can attest to the magic, Marlene. It’s a wonderful thing to witness. Thank you so much!
I am thrilled that this young boy wants to hear a song from that era in the 60s. That is incredible and yes, not only is it a great job, but you do it better than anyone else. It is so wonderful for the children and what they are learning to love: music, art, reading, and writing…and most importantly, learning to love the fine arts in humanity.
I was thrilled, too! And stunned. What a moment to seize! The arts are precious, especially for children. They are learning to love what is most important. Thank you, Karen!
My pleasure always Jennie! I think it brought back memories for many of us, a time that was far more innocent. Karen 🙂
I think so, too! 😍
Reblogged this on K. DeMers Dowdall and commented:
This event is too wonderful and must be reblogged! I love this and what the children are learning from you, and how lucky they are to have you.
Thank you, Karen!
This song is one of THOSE songs for me…
1965, Okinawa. I am five years old, living in a mint-green, two story apartment that served as quarters on the military post where my dad was stationed. In the apartment above: Sherry — a 20-something young woman with her short blonde hair in tight curls around her head, wearing a red mini-dress and white plastic go-go boots, dancing The Jerk as she came down the stairs to The Beatles’ I Want To Hold Your Hand… absolutely HORRIFYING my Midwest conservative Mom!
I LOVE YOU, SHERRY! NO MATTER WHERE YOU ARE….
OMG! I absolutely LOVE this story!! I can picture Sherry. What a wonderful memory, KC. I desperately wanted go-go boots, and my conservative mother would not allow it. Way to go, Sherry! Thank you so much for making my day, KC. 😍
Did your mother talk to my mother? I wanted go-go boots and was not allowed them!
They must have talked to one another! And the low cut bell bottom pants with a wide white plastic belt. Remember? I didn’t have that one, either.
Yes, I remember casting very envious eyes on the girls who were fortunate to wear them.
This is such a wonderful story that I could cry for joy.
How happy you all must have been.
miriam
Thank you, Miriam! I’m so glad it filled you with joy. We all need joy. Yes, we were very happy.!
I can feel those vibes. And, what a beautiful feeling!
Thank you!
Oh, they must have been thrilled! I can still remember when my homeroom teacher played a new song called “You’ve Got a Friend” on her crystal-clear record player.
They were so thrilled! What a great memory for you, Marcia! That record player makes a huge impact.
Amazing that there are kids who have never seen a record player. I feel ancient, Jennie! Ha ha. Great fun in your classroom and what better way to spend a rainy day. ❤
They thought the record was a giant CD. It was so much fun, Diana!
Ha ha ha ha Too funny.
😀
Reblogged this on charles french words reading and writing and commented:
Here is another excellent post from the wonderful teacher, Jennie!
Thank you, Charles!
What lovely times you have with the children, Jennie.
It was wonderful, Robbie. Thank you.
Wow! This is a day the children (and you) will always remember… all sharing a love of music and introducing them to a record player! 😀🎼
Very much so! Thank you, Annika, 😀
Reblogged this on Not Tomatoes.
Thank you!
Ahhhhhh, the Classics.
Yes!! The best, too. 😀
What a wonderful moment, Jennie:)). I have a young student who goes in and plays to elderly patients in Nursing Homes – and he has to learn Beatle songs as these are what a lot of these folks want to hear…
I love that story!! Yes, it was a wonderful moment. Many thanks. 🙂
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Thank you!
Yay! Love, love, love the Beatles and how awesome that the children have heard of them!! The kids in my pottery class haven’t which I ‘blame’ the parents for. 😉
The Beatles are a classic. Can you play music in the background during your pottery classes? That might open a door. I was so surprised that the child knew the song. So now, a whole class of preschoolers knows the Beatles. Yes!!
That’s actually a good idea, Jennie! I’ll definitely do that next week!! Thank you! 😀
Please let me know how it goes, Sarah!
I will! 😀
Thank you, Sarah! May I suggest that you go slowly, and let children ‘absorb’ each part and function. Then, the wonder of music happening seems like magic. 🙂
Thank you, Jennie, that’s exactly what I had in mind too. 😄 I think we’d have lots of fun talking children and teaching when we were to meet in real life one day. 😉
I know we would, Sarah!!! 😍
I can’t disagree with you, not one bit.
Thank you, Hook!
Well done, Jennie! Adore your way to teach and entertain. Have a beautiful weekend! Michael
Thank you, Michael! Happy weekend to you.
:-))
WordPress is, as often happens, not allowing me to like this post… but I do… what a wonderful story – I bet that little boy is so thrilled.
He was so thrilled that his parents gave our classroom a book which is the words and illustrations to the Beatles the song “All You Need is Love”. I’ll read it to him this morning! Thank you!
Best teacher ever! 🙂
Thank you, Debby. 😊
Headed over here, via Marlene’s blog. You sound like a wonderful teacher. Looking forward to reading more of your posts.
Thank you so much!
Really amazing
Thank you.
You’re amazing Jennie.
That’s so nice, Cheryl. 😊
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