It’s August, as is one of the most important months for music
educators.
During this month, planning must occur and while still on
vacation, and one must design one’s curriculum for the year, at least
informally. Planning must include crafting designs while anticipating the needs
of all the students. Devising functional
classroom management strategies may require extra concentration. Communicating
one’s philosophy through the personality of the actual classroom by arranging
seats just right, for fostering a collaborative and student centered music classroom is priority. Remember that, reflecting the needs and accommodating all learning styles cannot be planned on day one of classes, but must be planned and designed before-hand.
Planning the music curriculum
Planning is a key component to the success for one’s music curriculum.
After assessing the previous year, one should know how to better plan for the
upcoming year. The 10 week cycle that I
have grown accustomed to, enables me to have the same elemental focus in theory for all four
quarters, as students are able to expand their musical skills based on prior
knowledge. With seven musical elements as the premise for music theory
including melody, harmony, tempo, timbre, form, dynamics, and rhythm, the
design is developed and differentiated according to the needs of the students.
How to accommodate the desires of students but still accomplish my
music goals
I teach general vocal music and one consideration I have is
for the boys in grades six through eighth grades to participate in the singing
as much as the girls. Some love to sing while others are into a hip-hop culture
and only want to wrap. However, my philosophy for music education will not
allow me to relinquish the musical selections over for students to select all
of the performing music. The result will be all deserts and no sustenance. Remember at the end of 10 weeks I have to
present students in concert. So, what do I do?
Stay tuned for the
next post!!!
