When Words Fail

I have no words today. Do you feel the same?

A lot of teachers will be at a loss today, unable to find the words they need to process the election.

And so I lean on Hans Christian Andersen’s famous words: When words fail, music speaks. Here are three ideas to help you get through this day.

Sing together. Leave words behind and sing. Sing into a pure unison, let it blossom into harmony. Make music with your students.

Listen together. Choose the most heavenly music you can think of, and let it wash over you and those you teach. (I’ll be adding to a playlist here.)

Be silent together. Take a few minutes for mindfulness meditation in every class. Here is one of my favorite guided meditations.

The heightened emotions will lower with time; be gentle with them now and Sing/listen/be with your students.