Lessons in the Key of Life
Viewing comments for Chapter 2 "Pre-School Dance Lessons"A music and dance teacher's improvization
27 total reviews
Comment from JudyE
That is so very, very sad. What a dreadful mother. No wonder the child couldn't perform. I'm glad you sent Chloe the note. And the extra comments on the parents' letters were a good idea too. I didn't find any glitches and thanks for a engaging read.
reply by the author on 08-Apr-2019
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That is so very, very sad. What a dreadful mother. No wonder the child couldn't perform. I'm glad you sent Chloe the note. And the extra comments on the parents' letters were a good idea too. I didn't find any glitches and thanks for a engaging read.
Comment Written 08-Apr-2019
reply by the author on 08-Apr-2019
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My pleasure. Thank YOU for the delightful review. Always appreciated, Judy. xo
Comment from tfawcus
Some wonderful anecdotes in this. I particularly liked the first half! Having been a primary school teacher for many years, I have heard my fair share of little cherubs' wisdom beyond their years! The candour is delightful, even if a little embarrassing at times!
reply by the author on 08-Apr-2019
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Some wonderful anecdotes in this. I particularly liked the first half! Having been a primary school teacher for many years, I have heard my fair share of little cherubs' wisdom beyond their years! The candour is delightful, even if a little embarrassing at times!
Comment Written 08-Apr-2019
reply by the author on 08-Apr-2019
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The candor is absolutely hysterical, isn't it? One can certainly not have an ego and be a teacher. lol
Thank you for your warm and lovely review, tfawcus. I appreciate it very much. xo
Comment from Debra White
Hi Rachelle :)
As soon as I start to read you, I'm gripped. You just tell it so well!
I relate to the first part so much... the kids in school were guessing at my age the other day when it was my birthday. They had me placed somewhere between 15 and 86! And you can tell the ones who have older siblings, they talk well above their own age/knowledge!
Poor little Chloe :( beats me how parents can act towards their child in such an unthoughtful and insensitive way. Thank you for being her champion.
I look forward to the next chapter!
Best wishes as always, Debra :)
reply by the author on 08-Apr-2019
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Hi Rachelle :)
As soon as I start to read you, I'm gripped. You just tell it so well!
I relate to the first part so much... the kids in school were guessing at my age the other day when it was my birthday. They had me placed somewhere between 15 and 86! And you can tell the ones who have older siblings, they talk well above their own age/knowledge!
Poor little Chloe :( beats me how parents can act towards their child in such an unthoughtful and insensitive way. Thank you for being her champion.
I look forward to the next chapter!
Best wishes as always, Debra :)
Comment Written 08-Apr-2019
reply by the author on 08-Apr-2019
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Thank you very much for this, Debra. (and you don't look a day past 80, either, just so you know...)
I always love your reviews. xo
Comment from DeborahWrite
Dear Rachelle,
Your lessons and excellent writing of your joys and challenges, mixed with all of your successes, are a pleasure to read! I look forward to reading your 'work'. From a former dance teacher, your heartfelt love for your students and your talents are admirable.
Thank you,
Deborah
reply by the author on 07-Apr-2019
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Dear Rachelle,
Your lessons and excellent writing of your joys and challenges, mixed with all of your successes, are a pleasure to read! I look forward to reading your 'work'. From a former dance teacher, your heartfelt love for your students and your talents are admirable.
Thank you,
Deborah
Comment Written 07-Apr-2019
reply by the author on 07-Apr-2019
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You know how easy it is to love them, Deborah. They are just embodiments of joy.
Thank you for this absolutely heartwarming review. I couldn't appreciate it more. xo
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Thank you for your kind words, Rachelle, and I loved teaching people of all ages; however, young children had my heart. You are the best xo
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Ditto that. I was never more miserable than when I had a job that was 80 hours/week and had NO children in it! Grown-ups only. Ugh! I was in a perpetual angry mood!
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Bravo to you and your achievements!
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xo
Comment from Y. M. Roger
Oh, I adored this one...unfortunately, little Chloe is right on track to either being a statistic or a goth depending on how the hormones hit in early and full on puberty...just breaks my damn heart when parents are more wrapped up in themselves than their children ... ugh. A wonderful write as per your usual, ma'am -- thanx for sharing! :) ;) Yvette
reply by the author on 07-Apr-2019
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Oh, I adored this one...unfortunately, little Chloe is right on track to either being a statistic or a goth depending on how the hormones hit in early and full on puberty...just breaks my damn heart when parents are more wrapped up in themselves than their children ... ugh. A wonderful write as per your usual, ma'am -- thanx for sharing! :) ;) Yvette
Comment Written 07-Apr-2019
reply by the author on 07-Apr-2019
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I hear you, Yvette. I wish I'd followed her to know what she became. I'm going with "she survived and is fine" because thinking anything else just breaks my heart.
Thank you for your lovely review, as always. xo
Comment from Joanna S. Blue
Your piece is filled with warmth and humor and wisdom. I especially enjoyed the examples of the guileless assessments of children. I have been on the receiving end of that. I realize that these are nonfiction, but still it doesn't necessarily follow that they have life. I can see Chloe and her mother and your anguish. Your chapters could go into any teacher's playbook.
reply by the author on 07-Apr-2019
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Your piece is filled with warmth and humor and wisdom. I especially enjoyed the examples of the guileless assessments of children. I have been on the receiving end of that. I realize that these are nonfiction, but still it doesn't necessarily follow that they have life. I can see Chloe and her mother and your anguish. Your chapters could go into any teacher's playbook.
Comment Written 07-Apr-2019
reply by the author on 07-Apr-2019
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So true, Joanna, about the teacher's playbook. Thank you for the warm and encouraging review. I appreciate it very much. xo
PS - What did you mean "it doesn't necessarily follow that they have life"?
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I mean that many nonfiction writers don't bring their characters to life. Not you, though. Sorry, I didn't make it clearer.
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No, that's fine. Thanks for clarifying. xo
Comment from susand3022
That's just the most dreadful thing I have EVER heard Rachelle! What a poor little darling and at only 3! :( :( No wonder the little thing was in tears. Unfortunately, this isn't the only wretched thing I've seen. I could name 2 more just off the top of my head... as to the 'from the mouths of babes' part of your story... well that brought back a memory too! When my son was in Kindergarten, one of his besties, a little girl named Althea told me one day, "Mrs. Davis, it's time to dye your hair again. It's getting gray." She was right of course... lol
reply by the author on 07-Apr-2019
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That's just the most dreadful thing I have EVER heard Rachelle! What a poor little darling and at only 3! :( :( No wonder the little thing was in tears. Unfortunately, this isn't the only wretched thing I've seen. I could name 2 more just off the top of my head... as to the 'from the mouths of babes' part of your story... well that brought back a memory too! When my son was in Kindergarten, one of his besties, a little girl named Althea told me one day, "Mrs. Davis, it's time to dye your hair again. It's getting gray." She was right of course... lol
Comment Written 07-Apr-2019
reply by the author on 07-Apr-2019
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Hahahaha. I have one like that, too Susan! A six-year-old piano student asked, "Shelley, do you dye your hair?" I responded, "Yes," and she asked, "How come you don't dye that gray strip down the middle?"
I decided you can't really be good with children AND have an ego. They're kind of mutually exclusive commodities.
Thank you for this terrific review and the delightful bonus vignette as well. xo
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Hahahahaha!!! From the mouths of babes... I wish I was a blonde, being a brunette at this stage of life is a hair-dye trial! LOL
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Ditto for a redhead. The color WAS originally that color, but I'd hate to hang since I've needed to cover the gray...oh, fine, the WHITE!
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Yes, Rachelle... It's looking pretty stark on this side too! I think I could rival the chalk on a blackboard! LOL
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I understand they're known as "wisdom highlights," Susan.
Comment from Phyllis Stewart
Wonderful story. You handled that beautifully. That one mother was terrible. I feel sorry for her child. :(
I would love to see that recital, with kids as young as three. I'll bet you loved your job... and your tiny dancers. :_
reply by the author on 07-Apr-2019
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Wonderful story. You handled that beautifully. That one mother was terrible. I feel sorry for her child. :(
I would love to see that recital, with kids as young as three. I'll bet you loved your job... and your tiny dancers. :_
Comment Written 07-Apr-2019
reply by the author on 07-Apr-2019
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Dance recitals for three-year-olds is like that phrase about 'herding cats.' No two do the same thing at the same time. But they're so cute to look at, no one cares. The audience leaves thinking it's the best show they've ever seen.
Thanks for your feedback, Phyllis, and this lovely review. xo
Comment from Mastery
Hi, Shelly. (May I call you, Shelly?") I still think Rachelle is a pretty name. LOL I absolutely loved this post. I cold feel for chloe and admre your patience a sI just wanted to throttle that selfish mother. She's the type tht tells he rfriends "I just don't understand why she would act that way) Aaarrrgh!
Great presentation all the way, my friend. I love your stories. Bob
reply by the author on 07-Apr-2019
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Hi, Shelly. (May I call you, Shelly?") I still think Rachelle is a pretty name. LOL I absolutely loved this post. I cold feel for chloe and admre your patience a sI just wanted to throttle that selfish mother. She's the type tht tells he rfriends "I just don't understand why she would act that way) Aaarrrgh!
Great presentation all the way, my friend. I love your stories. Bob
Comment Written 07-Apr-2019
reply by the author on 07-Apr-2019
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Hi, Bob - You may only call me Shelley if you take voice, flute, dance or piano lessons from me. So, since you're not exactly in my traveling jurisdiction, I'm afraid you're stuck calling me Rachelle.
Thanks for this review -warm and kind, as always. And you're exactly right about that mom - DEFINITELY the one who would be clueless as to why her daughter was behaving 'that way.' So exasperating.
xo
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Thank you, Rachelle. Bless you. Bob
Comment from Michele Harber
Okay, you've returned the favor. I'm now crying over Chloe and her loud-mouthed, ignorant, boorish mother.
As always, this chapter is beautifully written, funny, sweet, poignant and relatable. Your understanding of your students, and your job as a combination teacher, mentor, friend, is nothing short of incredible, and you certainly handled the Chloe situation with kindness and understanding. Your follow-up note to the parents couldn't have been better written.
On that note, let me just give you two minor editing suggestions. (Would you know me if I didn't?) In the "I'm just very tall for my age" section, you mentioned that you "watched, ever so slightly indignant, at how quickly that concept was accepted as plausible." I'd think you might be "surprised" that they considered it plausible, or "indignant" if they considered it implausible, but why would you be "slightly indignant" over their accepting the fact that you could be that young?
The other issue regards something my boss drilled into my coworkers and myself the entire 27 years I worked for her. She absolutely couldn't tolerate repeated words. Personally, I think it can be useful to repeat words if it's to make a specific point (i.e., my using "on that note" as a transition after having just discussed the note you wrote to parents) but, otherwise, a little variety can make the work more interesting. Thus, when you describe Chloe as having "huge, brown eyes and a huge smile," you might want to change the second usage to "a broad smile," or something equivalent. If you disagree with my suggestion, please feel free to lay the blame on my former boss, Kathy Bloomgarden. ;-)
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reply by the author on 07-Apr-2019
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Okay, you've returned the favor. I'm now crying over Chloe and her loud-mouthed, ignorant, boorish mother.
As always, this chapter is beautifully written, funny, sweet, poignant and relatable. Your understanding of your students, and your job as a combination teacher, mentor, friend, is nothing short of incredible, and you certainly handled the Chloe situation with kindness and understanding. Your follow-up note to the parents couldn't have been better written.
On that note, let me just give you two minor editing suggestions. (Would you know me if I didn't?) In the "I'm just very tall for my age" section, you mentioned that you "watched, ever so slightly indignant, at how quickly that concept was accepted as plausible." I'd think you might be "surprised" that they considered it plausible, or "indignant" if they considered it implausible, but why would you be "slightly indignant" over their accepting the fact that you could be that young?
The other issue regards something my boss drilled into my coworkers and myself the entire 27 years I worked for her. She absolutely couldn't tolerate repeated words. Personally, I think it can be useful to repeat words if it's to make a specific point (i.e., my using "on that note" as a transition after having just discussed the note you wrote to parents) but, otherwise, a little variety can make the work more interesting. Thus, when you describe Chloe as having "huge, brown eyes and a huge smile," you might want to change the second usage to "a broad smile," or something equivalent. If you disagree with my suggestion, please feel free to lay the blame on my former boss, Kathy Bloomgarden. ;-)
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 07-Apr-2019
reply by the author on 07-Apr-2019
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Hahahaha. I'm sure she'll love this shout-out from you, Michele!
The slight indignation came from the level of IMMATURITY, not age, per se. But I do hear what you're saying, because every time I read that part, I feel a snag. So I'll get to editing that. And ditto for the huge-and-huge section. I'll change that wording, as well.
I ALWAYS appreciate that you voice these 'nits' because (a) it means you have my back and (b) I always want to present my best work, and you help me achieve that goal.
Thanks for the superior review, FSBFF. xo
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You're very welcome, FSBFF. I will always have your back in any way possible, just as you have mine (which you've proven in more ways than I thought possible). I hate, hate, hate when my work is criticized, because it means it's not as close to perfect as I've tried to make it. At the same time, however, I fully respect, appreciate and employ it when appropriate, because its intention is exactly what I set out to do: make my work as close to perfect as possible. Hats off to the people who are thoughtful enough to bring to my attention areas where I can improve my work. I know they have my best interests at heart. (Luckily, I haven't met anyone like the ridiculous person you had to deal with, who put his ego ahead of your best interests).
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Yeah, she was quite the trip. But, thankfully, she "punished" me by saying she'd never review me again.