Dream For Us This Day

Idea behind the song:

I was inspired by the quote by Henry David Thoreau, "I wish that there would be as many different people in the world as possible, and that each would be careful to preserve his own way." I wish to teach my students to learn the fine line between "being themselves" fully but respecting the rights of others when the two intersect. I fully admit, I'm idealistic. But to quote a favorite, John Lennon song, "you may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one / someday I hope you will join us and the world will live as one".

Lesson idea:

I wrote this song to perform at a school assembly the year our school's theme was "harmony". 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 (becoming ourselves fully) and then I will play the song while they are writing their own goals. This song is used as a time-keeping device in my science classes.

This song is also used when talking about the intersection of freedoms. "Pusing the edge of the envelope is chic and "in". But it's hard to see where one freedom ends and the next one begins. Still it's the duty of each one of us to find the voice his own. March to the drum that beats within, to go alone, I go alone."

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