As a music teacher for twenty-seven years I have
always known that music touches the soul. It can break through all kinds of
barriers to reach students in a very special way. It can be the means for each
child to find their light.
A few years ago I was blessed with the opportunity to
teach pre-school students one afternoon a week. One of my most memorable
students was Vanessa. She was five years old, had difficulty walking and could
not speak. We mostly sat on the floor for our music lessons and Vanessa liked
to sit on my lap. One of her favorite songs was John the Rabbit. It was a call
and response song where I sang the call and the students clapped two times
while singing the repeating phrase “Oh yes!” Vanessa liked to put her hands
together with mine and clap with me. We performed that song during every class
Vanessa and I clapped together. She never said or sang a word.
One day late in the school year when the song was
finished Vanessa turned around, looked at me in the eye, clapped her tiny hands
two times and said the words “Oh yes!” I opened my mouth and could not speak.
Through music we had made a connection.
Several years later I came across Vanessa on the
street in town. I stopped my car and waved to say hello. She waved back with a
big smile on her face and then clapped her hands two times mimicking the song
we had performed in our music class. This precious little girl through her
connection with music left an impression on me that will last forever.
Every child has the ability to learn and grow. It is
up to us educators to discover the way to reach each and every one of our
students. We all must find each child’s light.
1.The author thinks music__________.
A．can make
children calm down B．can connect
heart to heart
C．is difficult
for pre-school students D．is a good
means to find a job
2.According to the second paragraph Vanessa_________.
A．got used to
singing songs B．was too shy
to speak
C．was the
youngest in the class D．enjoyed the
author’s class
3.When Vanessa spoke the words “Oh yes!” the author
felt________.
A．surprised B．happy C．frightened D．satisfied
4.What can we infer from the last two paragraphs?
A．The author
has been in touch with Vanessa for several years.
B．Vanessa
became as healthy as other children.
C．The song made
a deep impression on Vanessa.
D．Being a good
educator became Vanessa’s dream.
