Dr. Richard E. Land, Medical Doctor & Musician: Preparing for Your First Day of School: Madeline’s Monthly Musical Tips Blog/Article for August 2021
Our Radio Show and blog celebrates the life and work of Dr. Richard E. Land, Medical Doctor, musician, husband, father, and grandfather. The new school year is fast approaching. As we prepare to approach this new school year the world is beginning to open up. This summer, travel and tourism has begun.
To prepare for your new school year we have included Nationally known expert teachers, Drs. Harry and Rosemary Wong’s Procedures, and their First Day of School Scripts . Also included are Dr. Frank’s, “10 Creative Ways to Inspire Students & Curb Teachers Burn Out!” and Mrs. I, a fourth-grade teacher shares how she prepared for her first day of the new school year.”
The beginning of the new school year is a new opportunity for students to begin studying a musical instrument. Studying a musical instrument teaches students to concentrate, be focused, be discipline, gives them self-esteem, teaches cooperation and working with others. Many of the world’s medical doctors, mathematicians, biologists, chemists, scientists, engineers, writers, teachers, and others have studied and played musical instruments since they were children. These eminent individuals have integrated music into their thinking process. Included is an article on why “learning a musical instrument helps children achieve higher grades.”
Our article of the month is “Lessons From a 103 Year Old Productivity Technique” by Madeline Frank, Ph.D.
Radio Show Feature Question for August 2021: How did Classical music play a part of Dr. Richard E. Land’s life as a medical doctor and musician and which musical instrument did he play?
https://www.madelinefrankviola.com/one-minute-radio-show-2021/
Many years ago, I began researching the scientific link between studying and playing a musical instrument and academic and societal success. I asked the “American Amateur Chamber Music Society” to ask its members to write in about their connections between studying a musical instrument and their academic success. Dr. Richard E. Land was kind and generous enough to write and share his musical career and his scientific one with me. He wrote in his letter to me, “Enclosed is a tape to give you an example of my level of achievement at the Steinway, my lifetime devotion, exceeded only by my wife, children and dog. I have friends who are also in medicine who play at least as well as I do, if not better. There are plenty of us around. I suspect that you could identify many, simply by scanning the directory pf Chamber Music Players. … I hope you enjoy the tape (do not bother to return it), have a good summer and success in your endeavor.”
As I write up this blog about Dr. Richard E. Land, I am listening to his beautiful virtuoso piano playing of Mozart’s Sonata in A major, Beethoven’s Sonata in C major, and other works by Schumann, Chopin, and Debussy. His tape is from June 26, 1995.
The Early Years:
Richard E. Land was born in Brooklyn, NY, to Maurice and Jeannette (Warshaw) Land. He was a longtime resident of Cranston, Rhode Island.
He began studying the piano at a young age.
In 1947, he graduated from James Madison High School.
University/ Graduate School:
Richard E. Land “attended NYU, and graduated from Northwestern University with a BS and MD.”
Medical Career:
Dr. Richard Land “was a Captain and Director of Radiology in the US Army, serving in Ft. Leavenworth, KS.” (Kansas)
Dr. Land for 30 years “was the Director of Radiology at St. Joseph & Fatima Hospitals in Providence”. He was also “a radiologist at Mass General Hospital.”
In 2003 he retired.
Married Life and Children:
Richard “was the beloved husband of Francine (Finck) Land for 63 years.” He was a “devoted father and grandfather.”
Musical Organizations:
Richard was a lifelong musician, a virtuoso classical pianist and performed with the “Chopin Club and Henschel Club”.
Dr. Richard E. Land, MD was a medical doctor helping his patients to improve their health for over 56 years. He was a medical doctor, husband, father, grandfather and a lifelong musician. Dr. Richard E. Land died on February 13, 2019 at the age of 89 in Cranston, Rhode Island.
Dr. Harry Wong says, “The very first day, the very first minute, the very first second of school, teachers should begin to structure and organize their classrooms, to establish procedures and routines.”
Dr. Rosemary Wong was asked to “give an example of what you mean by procedures?” She responded, “if you could close your eyes and say to yourself, “This is something I’d like to have happen in my classroom,”…. then you need to come up with a procedure for it. ..You need to teach the procedure, and there are three basic steps to doing that. The first is to explain it. The second step is rehearsing it, physically going through the procedure and making corrections as needed. And the third is reinforcing it, which you can do by acknowledging that the procedure is being carried out correctly.” Remember to teach all “three steps”.
The Wong’s said, “Classroom procedures should cover every second of the school day including what students are to do as they enter the classroom, how they are to be dismissed, and how they are to label and turn in their homework.”
Drs. Harry and Rosemary Wong said they “start by greeting your students at the classroom door each day. Have “bell work” or short assignments posted on the board prior to the start of each day. Bell work, even if it’s something simple as silent reading gets students into work mode right away. Posting a daily agenda every day in the same place every day, eliminating questions.”
What procedure do the Wong’s use to quiet their classes?
In their book the technique is called ‘Give Me Five’. “1) Eyes on Speaker, 2) Quiet, 3) Be still, 4) Hands free, 5) Listen. In five seconds, the class is quiet.”
Preparing for Your First Day of School:
Drs. Harry & Rosemary Wong’s “First Day Of School Scripts”:
https://www.teachers.net/wong/JUN00/
“Middle School Script”:
http://teachers.net/wong/FEB02/
“High School Script”:
http://teachers.net/wong/MAR03/page_2.html
Effective teaching:
https://www.teachers.net/wong/MAY11/
Dr. Frank’s, “10 Creative Ways to Inspire Students & Curb Teachers Burn Out!”
- 1) Effective teachers and administrators agree to have“an assignment on the board” for students to start on the second they walk into the new classroom.
“A well-planned lesson eliminates 90% of discipline problems.”–
“Before your first day of school have your “First Day of School Script” ready with the “Procedures” you will use for your class and implement them by rehearsing your class until all the students know your procedures and understand them.
*For example: What is your procedure for students having a cell phone in class? -In your “Procedures” include Mrs. Hamilton’s definition of “Character”. “Character is knowing the right thing to do, doing the right thing even when no one is watching, and taking the consequences for what you do. The first step to develop character from the First Day of School is to teach that definition, and challenge students to build walls of character around themselves in the weeks ahead.”
- Remember to decide your procedures and teach them to your class on the first day of school.Harry K. Wong and Dr. Rosemary Wong’s book “The First Days of School: How to be an Effective Teacher” is a must read for all teachers’.
Have your smile in place, your student’s seat assignments ready during social distancing , and your first assignment on the board for the students to get started immediately after sitting down and have your classical music ,
Mozart Symphony or string music by Baroque composer J. S. Bach (slow movement with strings) on in the background of your classroom.
School starts the first minute the students enter for the new school year. Be prepared! Start preparing and rehearsing this summer. Remember students need to feel safe and secure! They need procedures.
2) Before the first day of school decide how you are to dress for success in bright colors to get your students attention. Remember first impressions are the most important.
3) Do you remember the middle school and high school Chemistry and Math teachers playing Classical Mozart Symphonies in the background of their classes and how much better behaved and smarter the students became? Well you can do this too! Put on your Classical music and help your students get smarter, work faster, and calmer.
4) Don’t just lecture tell a story. Make the material visual. Be creative by becoming a teaching artist! Example: Dr. Madeline Frank’s “Musical Notes On Math”, teaching fractions and decimals to children in K-5 through the rhythm of music, Winner of the Parent-to-Parent Adding Wisdom Award newly updated kindle edition
https://www.madelinefrankviola.com/musical-notes-on-math
5) Make your course come alive. Make it fun to learn. Remember that Alicia Keys and Dr. Condoleezza Rice both studied the piano learning Classical music and skipping grades in high school. They were both at the top of their high school classes all through school because they played Classical music every day. Playing Classical music made them smarter! Dr. Albert Einstein was able to win his Noble Peace Prize and make his scientific discoveries by playing Classical music on his violin or piano every day. Dr. Judith Resnik astronaut and electrical engineer made perfect scores on her SAT’s through playing her Classical piano music every day for one hour. Louis Armstrong learned Classical music on his cornet at age 13 and his life was changed forever! Your students can be smarter too by playing Classical music every day!
6) Involve your students in your course by posing a problem and helping them solve it! Make them into detectives. (Sherlock Holmes and his side kick Dr. Watson) Help your students work cooperatively. (In a musical String Quartet, members work together cooperatively with set goals and without violence.) Put on your Classical music to help your students concentrate better.
Mark Reimer & Mrs. Adlyn Reimer said to “Set the tone from the beginning—your class/rehearsal style is fun, informative, and fast moving, and everyone there is important to you.”
7) Help your students gain self-esteem and self-worth by showing them kindness & patience.
8) Romayne Leader Frank, Mother, friend, Family Advocate, teacher, & Lawyer, always said, “Every child has one gift.” Find that gift and accentuate it!
9) Dr. Frank’s favorite saying is “every student is a gem in the raw.” Start with that thought and work with your students. Believe that each of your students, on the first day of school, wants to learn your course and desires to learn.
10) Does anyone here like to work? No, then make it fun to learn. Put on your Classical music or Baroque music string music! © 2020 Madeline Frank
Remember on your First Day To:
Have your Classical music/ Mozart Symphonies on your CD or iPod before your students enter your class to improve their concentration, for them to stay focused, relaxed, work faster, and remember more. On your first day of school have your “First Day of School Script” ready and rehearsed. “Have your “bell work” or short assignments posted on the board prior to the start of each day and post a daily agenda every day in the same place.” Be prepared! Have a smile on your face and put your best foot forward!
Students: Classical music has the power to organize the brain while listening to it as background music while you are doing your homework, to help you relax after a hard day of work or while doing exercises. Begin listening or playing your musical instrument for 30 minutes at a time. It helps because of its highly developed mathematics, complex rhythm, and therefore exercises the brain as physical exercise exercises the body.
Mrs. I, a fourth-grade teacher, lists below how she used Dr. Frank’s creative tips from “The Teacher’s 11 Secrets to Success” and “10 Secrets to Stop Students Boredom, Inspire Them & Make Them Smarter” during her August-December public school classes.”
1) Mrs. I began preparing for her new students, a month before the semester began, by studying their files, to more effectively deal with their problems.
2) On the very first day of school, students were informed about procedures and practiced them.
3) Mrs. I dressed appropriately and at times dressed to reflect the theme of the lesson or story.
4) Mrs. I prepared daily so that time was spent on learning activities and not preparation during school time.
5) She encourages her students to do well and gives examples that students can relate to of why it is important to do well and stay in school.
6) Students know that Mrs. I take’s an interest in them and tries to see the good in each student and looks for positive things to say about her students.
7) Classical music is played. This helps students quiet down, stay calm, and focus more on their work with fewer distractions. They really enjoy the Classical music and ask for it.
8) Students are spoken to in private, concerning behavioral issues and are not embarrassed in front of other students.
9) Cooperative learning groups and differentiation are used in the classroom. Students get to be a part of completing tasks successfully as a group in a fun but challenging atmosphere.
10) Articulation, inflection, and timing are encouraged when reading and when learning key phrases and clues.
Mrs. I says, “That by using Dr. Frank’s tips, a classroom environment is created where students want to come to school. They enjoy learning, and every child finds a measure of success.”
Lessons From a 103 Year Old Productivity Technique by Madeline Frank, Ph.D.
Have you ever caught yourself engaging in productivity envy? Some people accomplish so much, yet it seems like no matter how hard you work, your task list keeps expanding and you don’t feel like you’ve made significant progress.
While there are many “productivity tools” and hacks that promise instant efficiency at lightning speed; all you need is one sheet of paper
Charles M. Schwab, was president of the Bethlehem Steel Corporation, the largest shipbuilder and the second-largest steel producer in America and one of the richest men in the world.
Schwab was continuously seeking new ways to improve the efficiency of his company and keep an edge over his competition.
Ivy Lee, a well-known consultant in productivity and management, successful businessman, and a pioneer in public relations arranged for a meeting with Schwab. (As retold by Charles “Tremendous” Jones in his book “Leadership Is For You”, pp. 42-44. (1968)
Schwab said, “Show us a way to get more things done, I’ll be glad to listen to you. And, if it works, I’ll pay you whatever you ask within reason.”
Lee responded, “If that is what you want, I will show you a method that will increase your personal management efficiency, and that of anyone else who applies it, by at least fifty percent.”
This bold promise intrigued the business mogul.
Lee “handed Schwab a blank piece of paper and said, “Write down the most important things you have to do tomorrow.”
Schwab took about five minutes to do this.
Lee then asked Schwab to number them in the order of their true importance. (This took a little more time for Schwab.)
Lee then shared the last step of this simple system, “The first thing tomorrow morning, start working on item Number 1, and stay with it until it is completed. Then take item Number 2 the same way. Then Number 3, and so on.”
“You will have completed the most important projects before getting to the less important ones. If you can’t finish all that you planned for tomorrow with this system, there’s no other way you would have finished. And without this system you probably would have taken much longer to complete what you set out to do, without taking care of things in the order of their real value to you and your company.”
Lee then encouraged Schwab to do this every working day. After he had convinced himself of the value of this system, have his men try it.
He closed the meeting by saying, “try it as long as you like, and then send me your check for whatever you think the idea is worth.”
Charles Schwab and his executive team at Bethlehem Steel used Ivy Lee’s Method for productivity with great success. Three months later, Schwab sent a check for $25,000 to Ivy Lee. ($25,000 in 1918 is equal to $475,318 in 2021.)
Schwab stated that this lesson was the most profitable one he learned in his business career. It was later said that this was the plan largely responsible for turning a little steel company into one of the largest producers in the world.”
Ivy Lee’s 4 step method for achieving peak productivity:
1.) At the end of each work day, write down the six most important things you need to accomplish tomorrow. Do not write down more than six tasks.
2.) Prioritize those six items in order of their true importance.
3.) When you arrive tomorrow, concentrate only on the first task. Work until the first task is finished before moving on to the second task.
4.) Approach the rest of your list in the same fashion. At the end of the day, move any unfinished items to a new list of six tasks for the following day.
Repeat this process every working day.
Many businesses over the last 103 years have used Ivy Lee’s system for peak productivity with great success. It’s all about focusing on “managing priorities well”.
I promise you, this will cure your case of productivity envy!
Let me know how it works for you!
If you need a virtual speaker contact Madeline at: [email protected]
https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Madeline_Frank/466291
“Learning a Musical Instrument Helps Children to Achieve Higher Grades. Here’s Why” (June 25, 2019) by Wency Leung, Staff Reporter, The Glob and Mail.
“Secondary school students who take music classes in school perform better in math, science and English than their nonmusical peers, according to a new large-scale study in British Columbia. And the more involved students are in their school music programs, the higher their academic exam scores tend to be.”
“The study, published in the American Psychological Association’s Journal of Educational Psychology on Monday, examined the school records of nearly 113,000 public school students in B.C. It found those who took music classes over many years, starting as early as Grade 5, had higher Grade 10 and Grade 12 exam scores in math, science and English than those who did not participate in music.”
The Secret of Teaching Science & Math Through Music” by Madeline Frank, Ph.D. is available in book form, and newly updated as an e-book on Kindle, Nook, or iBook:
com(Kindle)
“Musical Notes On Math” by Dr. Madeline Frank teaches your child fractions and decimals, the fun easy way, through the rhythm of music, Winner of the Parent To Parent Adding Wisdom Award is available in book form, newly updated as an e-book on Kindle, Nook, or iBook.:
com(Kindle)
Madeline’s Midnight Melodies- Music From around the World”. This CD complements her books with a blend of dance music, gigues, tangos, ballet and favorites including “Danny Boy”, Puccini’s “O Mio Babbino Caro”, Debussy’s “Claire De Lune” and others. “Madeline’s Midnight Melodies” is music to relax by and to move by for music therapy. “Madeline’s Midnight Melodies” CD is now available for purchase by downloading a song, downloading the album, or by CD by clicking below:
Download Your Copy Today! Amazon | iTunes |
Dr. Madeline Frank’s book “Leadership on a Shoestring Budget” is available through amazon. To order your copy as an e-book on Kindle click on the following link:
Wishing you and your family a happy August from your Non-Invasive Medicine…Music Expert, Madeline
For over 30 years, Dr. Madeline Frank has helped children and adults overcome problems through Classical music. Madeline Frank, Ph.D., DTM is an award-winning teacher, author, researcher, speaker, conductor, and concert artist. She has discovered a scientific link between studying a musical instrument and academic and societal success. Madeline Frank earned her Bachelor and Master’s degree from the Juilliard School of Music. Her education has included scholarships at the Juilliard School, Indiana University, and the University of Cincinnati and she has a violin performance diploma from the North Carolina School of the Arts. (C) 2021 Madeline Frank