These are all concepts and ideas that can have an immediate impact in your classroom and ensemble. Most of them do not require anything more than an open mind. These are philosophical changes you can implement without seeking administrative approval. These are also ideas which can be handled directly by your students.
- Texting- if you can’t beat ‘em join ‘em!–Owen Bradley has some fresh ideas about how to use texting as a communication tool with your students. (Digital Music Educator)
- Get your ensemble to listen with Indaba: record, upload and comment–Ken Pendergrass details a procedure for recording your ensembles. He uses the Indaba music service to turn the entire process into a collaborative experience. (Music is Not for Insects)
- Misplaced Concerns–Steve Engel highlights two distinct different experiences he has had lately. First, he reviews a panel discussion with future teachers in a collegiate setting. He also shares his honors concert, complete with photos. Imagine, 400 students all playing recorder simultaneously! (Music Ed Lounge)
- My Compositions– Carol Broos recounts her personal experience with music composition and has posted a video from master teacher David Wonder and the compositions and improvisations his middle school students create. (Be a Techie)
- How do your students learn?– Janice Tuck has a great essay on how students learn and the difficulties we directors create in our instructions. (The Music Teacher’s Blog)
- A Shift in Perspective–Rebecca Brown discovered how a simple change her physical proximity to her students has a dramatic effect on how she sees those students. Her pre-concert routine is something that can be adapted for any performance ensemble. (The Piano Teacher’s Retreat)
- Bells Are For Shaking–Rachel Rambach provides examples of how simple bells can be used to give even severe and profound students an authentic musical experience. She even includes original lyrics to the song they perform. (Listen and Learn)
- Can of Worms–Cary Stewart tackles the difficult topic of what to do the day after a concert. His personal evolution through this issue gives valuable points for any director who is facing this same dilemma. (Third-Stream Music Education)
- Refined Laziness–Christopher Davis has a terrific method for practice sessions and how you can improve your own practice as well as the practice sessions of your students. (The Classical Guitar Blog)
- What Would You Do?–Ed Pearlman poses a hypothetical situation with a student who has managed to fake her way through lessons by playing by ear. What would you do? (Music Teacher’s Helper)
- Invent a Mix and Match Music Quiz–David French porvides a chance for your students to design a mix match music quiz. He has examples and instructions as well. (Tanbur Music Education Blogspot)
- 10 Ways To Get A Fresh Start With Summer Practice Assignment–Chris Foley gives your students something to do over the summer. (The Collaborative Piano Blog)
- Making Sense Of The iTunes Content Advisory System -None, Clean, Or Explicit–Joseph Pisano gives you and your students a quick guide to those iTunes warnings. Do they say what they mean? (Mustech.net)
Tags: Collaborative Experience, Communication Tool, Future Teachers, Indaba Music, Master Teacher, Middle School Students, Music Composition, Music Ed, Music Educator, Musical Experience, Performance Ensemble, Philosophical Changes, Physical Proximity
Leave a Reply
Filled Under: Your Students
