schmiedhauserg

There has been so much packed into this past year - planning, teaching, reading, workshops, etc.  Overall I have had a very positive year with the students, and lots of new ideas and strategies to include in my lessons.  The pitfalls for me are usually technological problems, or I have forgotten one of the essentials in the chorus room.  I've learned to adjust to travelling. 

 I've tried to include all the ideas from the workshops along the way, other than homework, which I generally don't assign, but have adapted it for "classwork".  As the year progressed, I was able to look back at what was successful, and what could have been better, and change it up for the next marking period when I started with a new group of kids. 

Along with some of the other teachers, I would also like to have time to meet with other music teachers and discuss what they're doing, share ideas, get some input, etc.  I'm looking forward to the summer, reading and adding new materials for next year.

4/15/08 journal entry - Megan S.

This week Ms. S. gave us a project to do - we had to pretend to audition ourselves and our music for a new radio station where the programs were for kids, by kids.  Anyway, it was pretty good cause I worked with my friends and we got to choose a theme and songs we liked.  We chose Disney songs, added some facts to talk about, artwork and played 2 songs for the class when we presented.  One of us burned a cd for class, I drew the artwork using the Disney logo, and we all did the research.  Ms. S. asked us to write our notes on cards and that was okay.  She graded us on participation, how we used our time, our facts and overall presentation.  It was fun and I liked seeing what all the other groups did too.  Some were really good, a couple not very organized.  We had to evaluate ourselves too and if we all helped to complete the project.

student response - Cori

That sounds like a good project -  did you get bored watching the other groups?  Did anybody do the Jonas Bros?

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Why use cooperative learning?   I think the students are more involved because they need to be - they have to do the work.  Overall the presentations were very good, and the self assessment was honest.  Only drawback was keeping the audience involved...  Some of the music and presentations were not as dynamic as others.  I will include something else to keep them involved - possibly choosing the top 3 for on air selection by the new station.

In music class I have the opportunity to combine non linquistic (simple music notation) with kinesthetic activity - clapping, rhythm instruments, small bell kit, once the students have mastered the simple music notation.  The method can vary - reading the notation, speaking the notation, listening and echoing the pattern, etc.  The students can move on to higher levels of difficulty and create their own music using given criteria.  Assessment is based on "performance" and written work using music notation.

In future lessons the students will advance to adding pitch on the glockenspeils, playing a simple melody.  Then in groups with melody and rhythm accompaniment - reading music notation and engaging in the physical activity of playing.  I will ask the students to assess themselves by creating an alternating audience.   

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