Reply to Middle School is Easy, But Does it Matter? (Not Deal)

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Reply to "Middle School is Easy, But Does it Matter? (Not Deal)"

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[quote=Anonymous]OP let me tell you a story.  I grew up in a rural red state.  Nice family, okay school, I did well and was in no way deprived or mistreated.  And I played the clarinet in the band.  I became first clarinet after diligent effort, and I enjoyed it.  But then my music teacher suggested I try out for the statewide orchestra.  We didn't have orchestra in my school.  It's a 3-day weekend kind of thing, you stay with a host family and there's one concert and that's that.  And I thought, why not-- nothing I like better than getting away from my parents for a few days!

I will never, ever forget it.  Just the sound of the orchestra tuning up blew my little mind, it was all so beautiful and thrilling.  I literally had no idea that such an experience was possible for me.  I had the very best time with my host family and made great friends with other music dorks, and when I got back the fire kept burning in my brain.  I threw myself into music stuff, joined a regional youth orchestra despite the long drives, played in the pit for some musicals, went to camp, even traveled abroad for it, had the best time and am friends to this day with many of the other kids.  I played in college too, and am still a big classical music fan and orchestra-goer now.  Lifelong enjoyment.  And if I didn't feel that level of joy in it, I wouldn't have been motivated to work as hard as I did.  I got a lot out of it in terms of developing work ethic and persistence.  I took so much satisfaction in every milestone.

Nobody pressured me or hassled me.  It wasn't about grades or getting into X group or college admissions.  It was about discovering my joy, and personal development that resulted from it.  All because one teacher opened the door in a low-commitment way.  This isn't about making life hard, this is about exposing them to their own potential. Don't you want that joy and satisfaction for your kid?  Start opening doors!  [/quote]

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