Am I getting through?????

I have a survey of fine arts high school class. I am going through the different eras of music starting from ancient music to modern day music. I don't have any text book so all of my lesson plans come from the frameworks. I have to use my college books to create my notes for my lesson. It's not the easiest thing that I have ever done. I know that learning about the different eras of music can be very boring and I am really trying to make it fun, but sometimes I wonder if there is any way. In the next section (Baroque), I'm going to group the students in twos or threes and have them write their own opera. (They won't have to sing it :), the just have to write a story). I'm not sure how this is going to go over, but we'll see.

Sometimes I sit back and wonder are they even learning anything? I really don't want them to be bored but what else can I do? I'm not a fan of looking out over the classroom and seeing blank stares and glassy eyes.

Oh, well, I guess this is one of the not so great days, because there have been days that I go home on cloud nine because it was a great day.

Overwhelmed Much?????

As to my first full week of school.........ahhhh!!!!  I'm seriously beginning to wonder how I am going to complete everything I'm schedule to do at school and all my courses.  Is anyone else drowning the way I am?  I know, I know, take it one day at a time.  I'm trying to have a positive attitude about the entire situation, but I sometimes wonder if I am going to survive.  

Having all music from K to 12 is a little stressful.  This includes high school band, high school choir, general music for 7th and 8th and high school general music.  Then add all the elementary music to that plus games every Friday night away and home.  I am also responsible for having a concert for the elementary, choir and band.  And to top things off I'm expecting my fourth child (a boy) in November.  So overwhelmed is how I feel.

However, even though I feel like I'm drowning, I'm having the best time.  I enjoy teaching people about music, not only how to read and play or sing, but also how it developed into the music we know today.  So as soon as I get this schedule thing down, I think I'll be just fine.