MUSC 373 Journal 6

This week in music we participated in everyone’s teachings. We learned many new songs and dances!

On Monday, I taught my lesson plan to the class. They learned about the history of the Underground Railroad, and also learned the song Follow the Drinking Gourd. I incorporated a short history lesson while teaching my song. Instead of just teaching about the Underground Railroad in a dry way, I learned that I could incorporate history into a song and make it fun!

It was very beneficial to actively participate in everyone’s lessons because we got to see many great ideas. As a teacher, it is important to be enthusiastic so that students want to stay engaged throughout your entire lesson. Also, it is important to interact with students so they stay on task and well behaved.

We saw our colleagues play the recorder, piano, and sing! Students also used rhythmic sticks, hand drums, and tambourines to keep the steady beat. We also learned to try and focus on using our head voice. It is important to use your head voice as a teacher because young students naturally sing in a higher voice.

I also learned an awesome way on how to teach students to sing a round! Nick had students line up in 3 lines. He then had each line walk and sing at different times. As a result, this created a round! This was a great way to teach students because rounds can be tricky!

I was a little nervous about the videotaping, but in the end it was very beneficial. I got to go back through my teaching and critique myself. Also, it is a great idea because we can help critique our colleagues.

Incorporating music into the elementary classroom can be very helpful. Remaining enthusiastic throughout the entire lesson will help students stay engaged. Students feed off of your body language and will react to your emotions. Music can also help students learn about many different subjects such as history, language arts, and math.

SELF EVALUATION
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xI9Sq1wU-Ek&eurl=http://musicingdream.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2009-02-21T10%3A34%3A00-08%3A00&max-results=7

Musicianship (5 pts)

In tune, accurate pitch- I focused on using my head voice when I was singing. I think that I sang in pitch and in tune throughout my song. It is important to use your head voice while teaching because young students can match the higher pitches easier.

Accurate rhythm- While singing my song, I had accurate rhythm.

Appropriate tempo- I played my song at a tempo that was easy for the class to sing. I didn’t sing it too slow because sometimes when a song is played to slowly, it is hard to breathe in the correct places. Also, when songs are too slow, students sometimes lose interest. Since my song was a little longer than other songs, I tried to do it at a good pace so that we could get through it within a reasonable time.

Phrasing- Throughout my song, when I was playing and singing it, I tried to demonstrate good phrasing of each line even though we didn’t discuss phrasing in my lesson.

Expression- Throughout the song, I tried to show expression in my music and my teaching. I tried to be enthusiastic so that the class would follow and express themselves in the same way!

Leadership (10 pts) I think that I showed good leadership throughout my teaching.

Body language- Throughout my lesson, I kept my body lesson really positive.

Facial expression- I also kept my facial expressions very positive (Smiled at students when they answered a question right etc.)

Voice tone and volume- Throughout my lesson, I tried to project my voice so that everyone could hear. Looking back on my presentation, I think that I held a pretty consistent, loud voice.
Eye contact- I tried to make eye contact with everyone in the class. Eye contact is important because it helps you stay connected with your students.

Intensity (energy)- Throughout my lesson, I kept my intensity up and tried to remain enthusiastic about the song!

Preparation (15 pts) When I wrote my lesson plan, I was planning on going on Monday, even though I didn’t know when I was going to go. I had everything printed out ahead of time, and also knew the song so that I could easily teach it to everyone else.

Knowledge of music- Before teaching my song to the class, I took time and played through a bunch of time so that I knew the song like it was the back of my hand. I studied the music and figured out the rhythm, steady beat, notes, etc.

Knowledge of plan- On Sunday night, before my teaching, I went through my lesson plan a couple times so that I knew the order that I wanted to teach the song (i.e. history of the Underground Railroad, then the history of The Drinkin’ Gourd, and then teach the song).

Written plan- In my written lesson plan, I made sure to write it so that if I was sick as a future teacher, the substitute could come right in and teach it the way that I would teach it. I included a lot of detail so it could be easily followed.

Instruments/equipment ready- On Friday, previous to my teaching, I made sure that I would have rhythmic sticks, tambourines/hand drums on the day of my teaching.

Recordings/charts/materials ready- I made sure to have all of my lyrics and maps printed out in time so that I would be ready to go on the day of my teaching!

Delivery of Instruction (20 pts)

Motivation, capturing attention- During my teaching, I made eye contact with my students, talked in a voice that everyone could hear, and actively involved the class so they would remain interested throughout the entire lesson.

Sequencing of steps- While teaching the song Follow the Drinkin’ Gourd, I sequenced the steps so that they would build upon each other and would make it easy for everyone to learn (The history of the Underground Railroad, the history of the Drinkin’ Gourd, learning the refrain and then each line of the song, and then putting the entire song together).

Verbal instructions- I gave clear instructions to grab rhythmic sticks and tambourines/hand drums, and what we were going to do next. I also explained everything that the class was
learning.

Questioning- I made a point of making sure that my students remembered the history of the Underground Railroad, and the history behind the song Follow the Drinkin’ Gourd.

Pace of lesson, flow, transition- While teaching, I made sure that the lesson moved along and that it flowed together. This will help keep students focused and well behaved throughout the lesson that is being taught.

Flexibility (ability to diagnose and adjust)- During my teaching, I wasn’t bothered when people in class were late (opening the door etc). I just kept teaching and remained on task. It is very important as a teacher that you remain flexible. If something happens in the classroom, it is important to just go with the flow and adjust appropriately. Make it work!

Feedback to the learners- While teaching, I made the class and individual students know when they accomplished something throughout the singing of the song (remembering the history, singing well, tapping on beat etc).

Continuity/focus of lesson- Throughout my lesson , I focused on the song Follow the Drinkin’ Gourd and the history behind it and the Underground Railroad. I also focused on keeping a steady beat, learning the words of the song, and learning the melody of the song.

Closure- For closure, I questioned the class to see if they could remember what the Underground Railroad was and the history of Follow the Drinkin’ Gourd. I also had the class return their rhythmic sticks and tambourines/hand drums to the bins.

One of the most difficult parts of giving my presentation was the fact that I was being videotaped. I was very conscious of the camera and had it in the back of my mind the entire time. However, now that I can look back on my presentation and critique it, the videotaping was very beneficial.

I think that I projected my voice really well, had a good sequence that was easy to for the class to learn, sung in pitch, new the correct rhythm and steady beat, and kept an enthusiastic attitude throughout my lesson.

If I were to teach this song again, I would try and step out from behind the piano and interact directly with my students.