Holbrook Indian School

Don’t Stop the Music

Jaden’s Growth Through Music Class at HIS

Mrs. Nicholls Jaden’s strengths are in bodily-kinesthetic intelligence. He is very good with horses and intelligent in sports, but general academics have been a challenge for him. At Holbrook Indian School (HIS), as in many schools around the world, students like Jaden are not uncommon.

HIS music teacher Olga Nicholls seems to have found one method that has helped Jaden see improvement in a specific academic area outside of his natural affinity—learning music. Through donor support of the music program, Jaden has gone from showing little to no participation or enthusiasm in singing or classroom engagement to now singing out loud and helping Nicholls in music class.

In general, kids love music, especially the little ones, but there are some cases where a student’s personality type and background can be a deterrent. “From my observation, students who have a lack of exposure to music tend to struggle to be engaged,” Nicholls said. Music can be fun, but learning the finer points like rhythm, timing, and pitch is where learning music challenges one’s ability.

There is also a sense of vulnerability when performing—singing in particular—that adds to general performance anxiety in class. “It’s an expression of yourself in front of others, so it takes a lot emotionally,” Nicholls pointed out. These two realities can make learning music difficult for students like Jaden who are already hit hard by low self-esteem. Added to all of this are issues outside of school that compound Jaden’s general academic struggles.

In her music class, Nicholls shifted her approach to teaching the more meticulous parts of music by catering to student interest.

“Of course, I want to show the students that music is a gift from God, but there is discipline in music that makes it a challenge for those not exposed to it. I did notice that the students enjoyed our musical games designed to teach specific things, and they would always ask, ‘When can we play again?’ I started to do these and other things that they enjoyed, like the percussion instruments.”

Now Jaden shows engagement and enjoyment in singing and music in general. He even asks to help in leading out in certain activities.

In Nicholls’ class, Jaden and all of our students learn about more than just the melody and rhythm aspects of music. They also learn about the lyrics they sing. This is especially helpful for Scripture songs.

“When we learn Scriptures songs like Philippians 4:11, the version of the song that we learn has lyrics that are not easily understandable to young children,” Nicholls explained. “So we go through the lines—like ‘I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content’—and talk about what that means.”

Nicholls says Jaden still has some room for growth musically, but he has made noticeable progress. “If kids are not exposed to music at home,” she said, “usually school is the next best outlet for them.” Through your gifts, you can help Jaden and his friends continue their growth in learning music. And, who knows, there might be a future musical evangelist in our midst.

____________________ By Chevon Petgrave

Holbrook Indian School (HIS) is a first- through twelfthgrade boarding academy operated by the Pacific Union Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. HIS also manages a first- through eighth-grade day school on the Navajo reservation in Chinle, Arizona. Eighty-seven percent of funding comes from individuals who have a desire to support Native American ministries and Christian education. Your generosity makes a difference in the lives of our students, their families, and the communities they serve.

Thank you for your support.

DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT

P.O. Box 910 • Holbrook, Arizona 86025-0910 (928) 524-6845 (Ext. 109) • Development@hissda.org HolbrookIndianSchool.org

ABOVE: Jaden, who once showed little interest in singing, is now singing out loud. RIGHT: Mrs. Nicholls leading out in a game of musical chairs. Jaden now takes the initiative to help in music class.