Middle School and Trumpet

So Jordan started Middle School yesterday! Yes, he's a big 6th grader now! And I'm happy to say that he is really liking it! He actually said tonight, "I wish tomorrow was a school day." I couldn't believe it! I almost wanted to cry (tears of happiness of course), and then I started thinking...today is Friday the 13th... this must be some freaky side effect from that, LOL! Jordan struggled last year in fifth grade. He hasn't ever really liked school, he has trouble staying focused, and unlike his mother, he lacks organization. I thought going from 5th grade (being in one class) to 6th grade being in 9 different classes a day, was going to be a huge challange for him, so I was nervous for this day to come. However, I'm feeling better about it now. This morning as I was driving to work, a light bulb went off in my head... backing up a bit, I found a magazine online called 'ADDitude' that comes out with four issues a year and it's all about ADD/ADHD. I signed up for a subscription and by doing so I also got access to all kinds of printable PDF articles, so I started downloading, saving, and printing. I've skimmed through some of the articles (hope to get through them all this weekend), and one of the things I read was how important it is to give a child with ADD "breaks" when doing homework each night. So back to my light bulb moment today... it hit me that maybe with Jordan going to different classes all day, getting "breaks" after each 42 minute class, will help to keep him focused. He no longer is in one class sitting at the same desk, listening to the same teacher all day... now he has different teachers, short classes (to keep his attention hopefully), and breaks! I really hope my thinking on this turns out to be true. Plus add to the mix the fact that he's actually liking school (if that lasts), this could be his best year yet! Jordan asked me Wed. night while we were walking through the school halls for 'Back to School Night', "mom, if I make the A/B Honor Roll in the first semester, will you get me a cell phone?" and my answer was "absolutely!" It's not so much the grades I care about (I do care about those), but it's more the fact that he really tries... if he puts his best effort into his school work... shows interest in school, shows more responsibilty about bringing homework home, writing down assignments, doing homework without complaining, etc... If I saw those improvements, that would make me happiest. I've been asking Jordan questions each day about school (ie. what teacher do you like the best, what class are you most excited about, etc.) and it's great to hear that he has such positive answers to all my questions. He's got the "I'm so cool, I'm a middle schooler" attitude and I love it! It's so cute!

So Jordan is now in band too, and he is playing the trumpet. Toward the end of fifth grade, his class took a trip to the middle school and took some kind of music test. I got a call from the band director on Easter Sunday, and was told that Jordan did really well on the band test. He asked if Jordan was interested in joining band, and to my surprise, Jordan was very excited to join. The next question was what instrument to play. Jordan wasn't really sure, but his first response was the French Horn. Then Steve talked to him about maybe trying the trumpet (Steve played the trumpet in high school and has wanted to take it up again for some time). Well the French Horn group was already full, so Jordan chose the trumpet and Steve is super excited! He can't wait for Jordan to bring the insturment home and, well, today was his lucky day, as Jordan brought home the trumpet. As exited as I am that Jordan has joined band, I know that our house is going to be filled with this "trumpet noise" for the next who knows how long (depends if he likes it and stays with it). Steve and Jordan already spent a good portion of this evening taking turns playing the trumpet. Here's a clip of what I have to look forward too :)

Trumpet

This will be a good thing for Jordan and Steve to "bond" over. Steve has already been praising Jordan on how well he's doing. They say kids with ADD excel in the arts. Jordan has always had great drawing skills, now he's done really well on a band test and is playing an instrument, so who knows, maybe he'll be playing the trumpet in the church band soon! I'm really excited for him and I hope he sticks with it. I'll keep you all posted on how it all goes... and don't worry, I'll share the music from time to time too :)