February 2007

A lesson i'll never forget...

February 12, 2007 21:06

So today I taught a group violin class comprised of about 20 4th and 5th graders. The room the class is held in is by no means large especially with an upright piano so needless to say things are a little cramped. So today’s turn of events made class very...interesting.

I've only had these kids about two weeks and we're just starting to get through twinkle variation A. Well half way through the lesson I heard the students shriek "Ewww!" I peeked over the upright piano and saw a kid in the center covered with vomit. I had noticed earlier during the class that this kid seemed pretty tired and kept yawning when he was normally enthusiastic about playing. I just figured it was lack of sleep causing this.

Well didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out this poor student had just thrown up. I'm guessing he ate something bad in the school cafeteria so I asked the student "are you okay? Would you like to get me the trash can?" He just stood there and looked dazed so I walked up to him and said "Let's get you to the nurse." Not a minute later he proceeded to throw up a second time." It didn't take me long to get the trash can and escort the student to the nurse. Meanwhile I asked the other violin students to stay in rest position and I would be back in a minute. On the way to the nurse’s office the kid couldn't go 3-4 steps without having to throw up in the trash can.

After returning I felt bad for the remaining students. I saw vomit all over the carpet, a few violin cases, three backpacks, and all over a jacket belonging to a little girl standing right next to the boy. Luckily her jacket was covering her own back pack. I simply put all the back packs and jack next to the doorway and proceeded class like it was no big deal.

I feel sympathy for the little boy as I’m sure it was very embarrassing for him. However my question to you fellow music educators is:

"How would you have handled this situation if you were in my spot? Would you have done anything differently?"

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