Behind the Scenes: The Winter Concert

This time of the year is very stressful for teachers and our support staff! For the last few weeks staff have been preparing for the Winter concert. This is a lot of work for staff.

First of all they have to choose a number in which all students can participate. One that is respectful of all cultures and religions. In our context our host country does not celebrate Christmas. Their big holiday is Chinese New Year in February but we do have a great deal of Expats that do celebrate traditional Christmas but we also have many others that do not. We are VERY careful that we do not make references to religion as this is not an acceptable topic in our current culture and context.

Teachers then have to choreograph the dancing and sequence of the number. They have to decide on who will be featured at what time and how to create a formation on stage so that all students can be seen and have equal face time. Our parents get very upset if they feel that their child has not had as much opportunity to be seen as others in the class. They have to decide on and support parents in acquiring the appropriate costumes for the performance.

Teachers also have to balance the emotions of the students. Not all students like performing. Some students feel anxious or uncomfortable getting up on stage and being the center of attention. Teachers need to create roles in which these students feel comfortable and are able to participate in way that respects their feelings. This has to be communicated with parents who do not always see things the same way that we do.

Teachers have to try and create a sense of routine and stability for their students. Practicing for these concerts takes a lot of instructional time and teachers have academic expectations and units in inquiry, math and literacy that need to be completed before the holiday. They work to maintain continuity of routines while practicing daily in their classrooms and on stage each day in order for students to be prepared for the big day.

There are always things that cannot be accounted for…..The students that get sick, go on vacation or who have other commitments. The students that stand on stage and do not participate, the students that make up their own routines, the students that cry, pick their nose, lift up their dress, wander around the stage, wave at their parents and may interrupt the flow of the number for others. Teachers CANNOT account for these things. They are not within their control and are often the unexpected surprises of the concert. Parents do not always appreciate these and do not view them exactly as we do. We know that something is going to happen and that these moments add character and humor to these performances. Parents often see them as unwanted interruptions and are embarrassed and upset that the children behave in this manner.

Students are very emotional at this time of year as well. They struggle with being out of their routines. Some are anxious that they have 2 weeks of holidays and do not know where they will be or who they will be with over the holidays. They are excited about traveling home for the holidays and there is always the excitement of SANTA! Their emotions are running high!

We do our best to support our staff during this time and we do appreciate the time, energy and effort that goes into creating these performances for parents. We could not do this without our amazing staff!

We hope that our parents feel the same and appreciate how hard our staff work to create these special moments that often involve a great deal of work outside the normal expectations of the classroom!

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