Today was a true day of love as we celebrated Valentine's Day. I've never seen my students more excited in my life. I also began to ponder a few of life's questions. I often think about how powerful my classroom would become if my students had the opportunity to interact more with our older youth of society. Imagine if we had the students interact with high schoolers during a Science or Social Studies project or even a nursing home. Imagine how motivated they would be to see what it is like "on the other side." We preach the peer teaching peer model and yet we do not necessarily utilize it to the best of our ability. I think sometimes our school system is flawed in that all grade levels are kept so separate. Kindergarten is referred to as a "world in itself." First grade rarely ever sees the fifth graders. At the end of the day, all grades are placed together and yet at the front of the bus is one grade level, followed by a second grade level and then the fifth graders at the end of the bus. And for teachers, this one moment of intergenerational activity is probably the most loathed. It' s the end of the day and so talking is not what we want, interaction between the grades is also not something we want. Everyone continues to be so separate. 

     I returned to Urban Impact tonight for our first group rehearsal in a while, and I do get emotional when I see students who started three years ago in third grade who continue to attend session and are now in sixth grade or even seventh grade or eighth grade. We broke out in sectionals today, and I now have students in upper middle school and lower elementary school. And ironically, they love it! My older students take care of the younger students like their own siblings and the youngsters are so excited when they get to hear what it is like to be playing their instrument for a few years. They look up to "those big kids" in such a beautiful way. 

    So much is learned when generations are able to learn together. Yes, the learning gap is tricky. However, I believe the wisdom that is learned from both sides far outways the differentiation that must occur to make the music lessons work. What my students learned in session today was a love that surpasses grade level. A love that surpasses classes and skill levels and talents and weaknesses. Because true love is not separated. True love transcends all time and space and age and level. Love is love. There is nothing more tear-jerking than seeing your former students grow up and become young adults helping the youngsters take on the smiles and hardships and challenges of the world. 

How truly lucky am I to have had this experience to see such beauty.