5/29 Assignment

My proposed topic for my final presentation is learning the alphabet/recognizing letters.

 http://youtu.be/cJ-wwD3UUwg

5/28 Assignment

I am against teachers being paid based on students performance. Each individual student learns differently and has access to various educational resources. This means that students can't be fairly evaluated by State Standardized tests. Many teachers are already underpaid and some are even forced to have to pay for their own classroom materials and must suffer from poor budgeting in their districts. These teachers can't possibly give their students all the resources they would need just because the state isn't investing money into their district. According to NCLB, many of these types of schools would be considered "failing," even if students are making improvements, and in reality, these are the schools that need the most help.

Effective teachers are those that can get to know each of their students personally and know what helps each learn best. I also feel the most effective teachers are the ones that push all students to strive for excellence, no matter their abilities or weaknesses. The teachers that stick out to me most from my educational experience are the ones that made learning fun and taught beyond the classroom, about life in general.

5/27 Assignment

I strongly believe that reforms are needed in regards to tenure. I have experienced too many teachers throughout my education that still have a job simply because they have been at the school for so long. In my opinion, teachers should be kept within the school system if they are, indeed, good, quality teachers that work well with the students, not just because they have been there for a certain period of time. Educators that are just getting out of college are equipped with the latest technology information and a great deal of new knowledge, and our children deserve quality teachers that are going to suit their needs.

I was not very knowledgeable about teacher unions, so I did some research. Specifically, unions are responsible for securing better pay and working conditions, which would then attract better teachers. Unions also argue for smaller classes, allowing teachers to teach more effectively. They also tend to raise the standards for teacher licensing, which ensures that only qualified candidates enter the profession. All of which that unions are supposed to support are great for schools; therefore, instead of reforming or abandoning them, I think that we just need to build on the original foundations.

5/24 Assignment

Our society is, yes, very much sports driven, and oftentimes people forget about the importance of getting a good quality education. As an educator, I believe that expectations should not be dropped just because students are involved in other activities. It is up to the student, and partly their parents, to balance their time between other activities and school-work. My parents have always told me, "You are a student-athlete, and there is a reason that 'student' comes before 'athlete'." Ones education should always come first because getting a quality education will ensure more success in the long run.

5/23 Assignment Developmentally Appropriate/Instruments

Recorder: can be introduced in the 3rd or 4th grade and older. Students should have developed coordination and their hands/fingers should be large enough to cover/reach the holes on the instrument. Students must be aware of the fingerings to produce "different sounding" notes.

Xylophone: can be introduced in 2nd or 3rd grade. Students need developed hand-eye coordination. Students should also be aware of the different notes and pitches on the instrument.

Rhythm Sticks: can be introduced as early as Kindergarten. Students are developing large muscle groups and movements. These instruments are non-pitched instruments, therefore notes are not needed to be learned. 

Finger Cymbals: can be introduced as early as Kindergarten. These are also non-pitched instruments, so students, again, do not have to learn notes. Younger-aged students are also able to use these because they are developing large muscle groups.

Kazoo: can be introduced as early as Pre-K or Kindergarten. This is a very simple instrument that does not require much skill or coordination. 

5/23 Assignment Carl Orff

Carl Orff was a twentieth century German composer that developed an influential approach of musical education for children. Orff is credited with composing and publishing music for students ages 12-22. These pieces were not designed to be performance pieces for the average child, but rather were designed as examples of pieces that show the use of ostinato, a repeated phrase,  bordun, a repeating note pattern, and appropriate texts for children. Orff's ideas were developed into an innovative approach to music education for children, in which the music combines movement, singing, playing, and improvisation. At this time, our society is very innovative, with people bringing new ideas to the table. When children are learning this type of concept at a young age, it is more likely to help them as they get older. By moving and singing, the children are that much more likely to remember and retain the information.

5/22 Assignment

Sequential learning simply means information is processed in order or "step-by-step." Rather than looking at something as a whole, sequential learning provides that each step is understood before moving on to the next. Sequential learning is beneficial within the classroom because it eliminates confusion for students. Each step is understood before moving on to the next, therefore students have a better understanding of the material and are ready to move on.

Rote learning involved repetition. In music, it generally refers to the "I-sing-you-sing" teaching method where the teacher sings a phrase that is then repeated by the students, and so on. After singing a song with one phrase repeated, the students will move on to singing two phrases at a time. Finally, the entire song is sang and then repeated by the students. If any parts are not repeated accurately, then those parts should be clarified and practiced. After the song is sung correctly, the students can learn hand signals, motions, or choreography.

Steps of a Lesson Plan:

1. Anticipatory Set: getting the student's attention focused on the lesson

2. State the Objective: informing the students about what they are going to be learning

3. Teaching: Teacher Input: teacher gives the students information needed to accomplish the objectives of the lesson

4. Teaching: Modeling: teacher shows an example of what is acceptable as an end result

5. Checking for Understanding: teacher takes time to check the student's comprehension of the material

6. Guided Practice: teacher helps the students interact with the lesson material

7. Closure: wrap-up of the lesson, with a review and evaluation of what has been learned

5/21 Assignment

I believe my educational philosophy is in alignment with student needs, as well as state standards. As an educator, I hope to teach students both academic content and skills that will help them through life because the teachers that affected me most were the ones that taught me life skills on top of the academic criteria. It is important to meet national/state expectations while also taking into consideration each student's individual needs. I feel that hands-on learning is one of the best ways for students to learn and retain information, so I want to try and find ways to incorporate that into my classroom, as well.

5/20 Music Therapy

I think music therapy is excellent for students and young children. It is beneficial in development and helps children excel is all other areas of their life. Music can facilitate relaxation, healing, and pain management. Kids are able to use music to cope with their disabilities or challenges in their lives. Students who are engaged in the classroom through music tend to have better reading comprehension, vocabulary, listening skills, and verbal memory. These students are also able to interact with their peers, thus enhancing their social skills. Learning and practicing social skills through music therapy ultimately provides the right combination of fun, motivation, and challenge, while benefiting students in other areas academically.

5/20 Assignment

I have worked multiple times within a special education classroom. Most of this is because of my mom because she is a high school special education teacher in Malcolm. She is also the reason I am an elementary/special education double major. I've had the pleasure of working with many of her high school students when I go visit her classroom. One time, I even went to the Malcolm Elementary School and I was able to work with those students, as well. Special education in America is increasingly helping students with a variety of disabilities. More and more students are able to get the help they need within the classroom without having to be separated from their peers. Even students that are severely disabled are able to stay within the classroom with the help and flexibility of the regular ed. teacher.

In order to meet the needs of differentiated learners, educators must be able to present information in a variety of ways because all students learn differently. If a teacher is not able to differentiate instruction, fewer students are benefiting. Teachers must know and understand each student individually, and plan accordingly.

5/17 Assignment

Blooms Taxonomy for Higher Level Thinking:
1. Remembering
2. Understanding
3. Applying
4. Analyzing
5. Evaluating
6. Creating

National Standards for Music Education:
Content Standards:
1. Singing, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music.
2. Performing on instruments, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music.4
3. Improvising melodies, variations, and accompaniments.
4. Composing and arranging music within specified guidelines.
5. Reading and notating music.
6. Listening to, analyzing, and describing music.
7. Evaluating music and music performances.
8. Understanding relationships between music, the other arts, and disciplines outside the arts.
9. Understanding music in relation to history and culture.

Bloom's taxonomy is a classification of learning objectives within education. It refers to a classification of the different objectives that educators set for students. Essentially, the content standards for music education are guidelines and help educators in determining objectives for their teaching. The content standards for music education actually follow much of Bloom's taxonomy because each content standard falls within one of each of the levels of Bloom's.

5/15 Definitions

cognitive learning: the process of recalling information and the development of intellectual skills

cooperative learning: the process of students working in groups to complete tasks collectively toward academic goals

eurhythmics: body movements to the rhythm of musical compositions; used to teach musical understanding

multiple intelligence theory: developed by Dr. Howard Gardner; a theory which states that humans have nine different kinds of intelligence that reflect different ways of interacting with the world

rote learning: memorization by repetition

think-pair-share: a cooperation strategy in which the teacher gives the students a question or topic. The students think about it on their own for a few moments, then form pairs and discuss their individual thoughts. Finally, each pair shares their insights with the rest of the class.

checking for understanding: teacher takes the time to check the student's comprehension of the material

5/15 Music Standards/Assertion

National Standards in Music Education:

1. Singing alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music.

2. Performing on instruments, alone and with others, a varied rep. of music

3. Improvising melodies, variations, and accompaniments

4. Composing and arranging music within specified guidelines

5. Reading and notating music

6. Listening to, analyzing, and describing music.

7. Evaluating music and musical performances

8. Understanding relationships between music, the other arts, and disciplines outside the arts

9. Understanding music in relation to history and culture

Assertion:

Success in the use of technology in arts education should be measured first by how well artistic and intellectual objectives are enhanced, not simply by technological skills. Technology should increase the ability to synthesize, integrate, and construct new meanings from a wealth of new resources and information.

Teachers are finding it easier to integrate technology into the classroom during this technological age. Computers are being used as a way to enhance learning for students. However, technology should not be a distraction to students, but should be used when necessary and for the sole purpose of enhancing learning. Students can gather information from a variety of sources, which can benefit them as they continue to learn.

Music, Culture, and Early Child Development

In this video, Roger Brown speaks of the importance of music as a form of expression. He first explained that music "helps embed memory into people." This is so useful in the classroom. When teachers can find ways to help their students learn in a fun way, it is so much more beneficial. Brown also speaks of the importance parents singing to their children, even if they are amateurs. This holds true with teachers as well because music is an important part of how children grow and develop. Music enables students to express themselves when they have no other way by humming, singing, and even making up their own songs. Music is a powerful tool that should be utilized in the classroom to aid in learning and making classwork more enjoyable for the students.

5/13 Questions #1-8

1.       How do you use music in YOUR life?

I listen to music on a daily basis through the use of my iPod. I listen while I am driving, exercising, mowing, before I go to sleep, etc. Basically, if I am allowed/ able to listen to music during an activity, I will probably be doing so. Also, music is almost an outlet for me. If I am ever in a bad mood, or just need time to think, music helps me in doing so.

2.       What musical activities and interests did you have as a child?

As a child, I thoroughly enjoyed attending and participating in music class during school. I was a member of the junior high jazz band and symphonic band, as well as the school choir. Outside of school, I loved singing and dancing, as well, and did so frequently in my free time. I was a member of the children’s youth choir at my church, and I loved participating in the church play. When I was younger, I also performed the Star - Spangled Banner for various sporting events, including our area high school’s sports games, track meets for a track club of which I was a member, Lincoln Lightening football games, and even a Lincoln Stars hockey game.

3.       Have you observed children at musical play?

I have not had much experience observing children at musical play. During my hours in a classroom, instead of going with the kids to music class, I would stay and help out my host teacher with various tasks in the classroom.

 4.       Are there some musical skills you are able to teach to children more easily than others?

I feel that teaching children about rhythm and playing musical instruments would be easier than teaching them about using their voices as instruments.

5. What do you think that all children should be able to do, musically, as a result of a MUSICAL

education?

Musical education should give children a sense of appreciation for music. Children should be able develop their skills and acquire various amounts of knowledge pertaining to music, as well. Specifically, children should know of various instruments, rhythms, notes, and how to play them.

6.       Have you ever observed a teacher integrating music into the classroom? Cite examples.

 A kindergarten teacher that I observed integrated music in the classroom in several ways. First, she played a welcome song every morning after all students had arrived to class to gather their attention. The students would have something to work on first thing when they arrived to class, but when the welcome song started playing, they knew it was time to clean up and pay attention to their next instructions. The teacher also used various songs to help the students learn different concepts, such as the months of the year, days of the week, etc.

7. How do you think music can be integrated into the elementary classroom?

Music can be integrated into the elementary classroom through sensory play and even used to help with instruction. Songs can be used to learn, again, the days of the week, months of the year, etc. By using music, students have a better chance of retaining and learning the material being taught. Music can also be used throughout the day. Songs can be used to signal transitions in the classroom, and music could even be played quietly while the children are working.

8. How do you think music can be used as an interdisciplinary tool in the elementary classroom?

Songs can be used to learn different concepts. When I was younger, I learned a Presidents song, the 50 Nifty United States song, and my mom even used music to assist me in learning helping verbs. To this day, I still find myself singing those songs when presented with a question such as, “Who was the 12^th president?” Therefore, these two songs, for example, could be used during a social studies unit when learning the Presidents of the United States or when learning the 50 states that make up the U.S. These catchy songs will help students learn and retain the information, and they can enjoy themselves while doing so.