Maybe The Answer's In Me

Idea behind the song:

I was inspired by the quote from Galileo, possibly after discovering the moons of Jupiter. "I render infinite thanks to God for being so kind as to make me alone the first observer of marvels kept hidden in obscurity for all previous centuries. "I was wondering if my students felt there was nothing left to discover. We have new challenges facing us each day and I believe in the power of the human mind and spirit to solve them. What happens when our students BELIEVE they can?

The original thought that inspired the song was the complete surprise that music was inside of me. From childhood I have always wanted to write music, play and sing like my favorite musicians, James Taylor, Carole King, Karen Carpenter, etc. and never knew music was in me until I was in my thirties! Yep...it's true...I am old. :-) I want my students to know that their dreams are there to guide them to their abilities. If the dream is there, there is a good chance the ability is there too. Maybe the answer is in them?!

Lesson idea:

I use this song after teaching students about the early astronomers/philosophers: Aristotle, Ptolemy, Brahe and Kepler, Copernicus, Bruno, Galileo and Newton. Upon conclusion, the students have an understanding of the obstacles these men faced just trying to figure things out. In giving the students "a little break" from the lecture, I introduce this song by saying something like, "Look how far we have come since the time of Galileo. So much has been discovered! There is so much still to be discovered, and we have many new problems to solve. You are all different and unique, you have all been through different life situations and struggles, and you all wish for different things. I believe your passions and dreams are there to guide you to your own (sometimes deeply hidden) abilities. Don't ignore the possibility that a significant contribution to our society is within you. Maybe the answer is in you."

I use in in my "eagle time" (morning student advisory program) when we are setting goals. I will go through the words and meanings with the students first, then play the song. We will talk about goals and then I will play the song while they are writing their own goals. "There are no fingerprints the same. Gifts form a tapestry unique. Different passions and roads traveled mean none think just like me. And just as Galileo was the first to see The Secrets as he looked into the heavens weak-kneed, maybe the answer's in me."

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