CA Pride - Annette Crandall

The halls of CA come alive to the sound of music every day thanks to Annette Crandall. There are many things I could tell you about Mrs. Crandall, but the first image that typically comes to me is "jump down" in the Big Room. And what a joyous time it is for K through 5th graders to gallop, fly, hop, skip, and occasionally slither as Mrs. Crandall plays away on the piano.

Music is a time for both discipline and expression. There are lessons to be learned and practiced (again and again ) to develop the skills that then become the vehicle for expression. It is interesting to watch Mrs. Crandall teach rhythm, phrasing, notes, pitch in such a variety of ways. She is quIte insistent that each student put forth the effort to master these skills. And when they do she is the first to celebrate their success and to share their love of music.

Yes, Mrs. Crandall has been teaching for many years and she uses tried and true ways of teaching skills. But did you know that Mrs. Crandall attends conferences in the summer and fall each year to learn about new resources and techniques? She comes back with fresh energy and ideas that she integrates into her instruction. Our students learn many of the classic elementary school songs, but she is always on the hunt for "worthy" new songs and musicals.

The other day when I stopped by her classroom, K students were practicing writing their numbers. She sang the description of how to draw the lines to make the number and the kids were singing along and correctly writing them. She finds many ways to incorporate music into her math instruction. For most children, music is a great way ( not to mention fun way) to learn, practice and retain skills.

CA is known for our elementary musical. Most alumni can recall their part in the musical when they come back to visit. Did you know that Mrs. Crandall and her husband, Allan, always write additional lines to the musicals so that every student in the designated grades have speaking parts? They do this so seamlessly that for many years I did not know the musicals did not already have all those parts!

The musicals are always fantastic. A great performance results from many rehearsals that are not nearly so fun as the actual show will be. We believe the students gain just as much from the process of rehearsing as they do from the performance. Learning lines, lyrics to a song, and choreography for the show takes time and practice. This discipline and effort helps students learn what it takes to achieve a goal. What about the child who just does not like music or have an aptitude for it? Mrs. Crandall always says that everyone will not become a musician, but everyone can learn to appreciate music in their lives. So even for the less musical child she strives to help him/her experience music.

Putting together a program such as the musical requires teamwork. Other teachers are involved in helping with rehearsals, making scenery and costumes. For the students,our musicals don't have "stars", they are ensemble productions. Certainly, there are solos or duets that move the story along, but Mrs. Crandall selects and develops musicals that are intended to showcase the collective talents of all of our students. The result is always worthy of a standing ovation for both Mrs. Crandall and CA students. Now that is what I call fostering a love of learning.