December prompt: What learning or technology tool are you most grateful for? Why? How have they changed what you do?
The technology tool that I am most grateful for is YOUTUBE! I use YOUTUBE in class almost everyday. As a music educator that teaches modern music, it is often difficult to find sheet music and resources that provide examples and interpretations of popular songs. YOUTUBE provides my students with many "tutorials" on how to play a song on their primary instrument.
One can teach a class how to play a song with specific instructions. The issue is that not all students learn the same way. YOUTUBE provides numerous approaches, giving students (and myself) the chance to find a video that we understand and can implement. Whether is is a 36-year old man from New York City, or a 15-year old girl from Russia, we have the access within YOUTUBE to seek and find videos that we can connect to.
YOUTUBE is a valuable resource for learning how to play and interpret music. Not all videos are of high quality, but it provides us with the ability to view and make that assessment on our own. I have studied music with many teachers over the past 40 years and all of them had a positive effect on me. Mty teachers were my "YOUTUBE." What works for one person may not for the other...
If you are considering learning how to play an instrument, I suggest that you do a little on YOUTUBE and see what you come up with. It is a great resource for learning if used effectively.
The Connected Educator Month
October 17, 2017
What is the most powerful aspect of being a connected educator? How has it impacted your practice, growth, and/or happiness?
I am a very "connected" Educator at The Davis Academy! At my school, The Visual and Performing Arts Faculty have been given opportunities to work in conjunction with our core Academics Faculty. In addition, we our department hosts a visual and performing arts-themed half-day of learning.
One of my favorite "cross-curriculum" projects was with David Rifkin, our seventh-grade language arts teacher. He was teaching a unit on poetry and had his students create poems. Upon completion on the exercise, his students gathered in my music classroom and David and I put every poem to music.
This was a great challenge for me as a musician. My primary instrument is drums. I play multiple instruments (guitar, bass, piano, etc...) in class. As a Composer, I am not one to sit down and write songs, but I have contributed to songs (both lyrically and musically) for over 30 years.
David and I (on the fly) sang and every student's creation with no preparation.
It was amazing to see how the students reacted when we put music to their words.
This is just one way to connect with the PLN "in-house." My challenge lies in finding other music teachers that teach contemporary/pop music. As I sit here and type, I just realized that I have a connection with a non-profit group, Little Kids Rock! I need to move on this! I will keep you posted!
December prompt: What learning or technology tool are you most grateful for? Why? How have they changed what you do?
The technology tool that I am most grateful for is YOUTUBE! I use YOUTUBE in class almost everyday. As a music educator that teaches modern music, it is often difficult to find sheet music and resources that provide examples and interpretations of popular songs. YOUTUBE provides my students with many "tutorials" on how to play a song on their primary instrument.One can teach a class how to play a song with specific instructions. The issue is that not all students learn the same way. YOUTUBE provides numerous approaches, giving students (and myself) the chance to find a video that we understand and can implement. Whether is is a 36-year old man from New York City, or a 15-year old girl from Russia, we have the access within YOUTUBE to seek and find videos that we can connect to.
YOUTUBE is a valuable resource for learning how to play and interpret music. Not all videos are of high quality, but it provides us with the ability to view and make that assessment on our own. I have studied music with many teachers over the past 40 years and all of them had a positive effect on me. Mty teachers were my "YOUTUBE." What works for one person may not for the other...
If you are considering learning how to play an instrument, I suggest that you do a little on YOUTUBE and see what you come up with. It is a great resource for learning if used effectively.
The Connected Educator Month
What is the most powerful aspect of being a connected educator? How has it impacted your practice, growth, and/or happiness?
I am a very "connected" Educator at The Davis Academy! At my school, The Visual and Performing Arts Faculty have been given opportunities to work in conjunction with our core Academics Faculty. In addition, we our department hosts a visual and performing arts-themed half-day of learning.
One of my favorite "cross-curriculum" projects was with David Rifkin, our seventh-grade language arts teacher. He was teaching a unit on poetry and had his students create poems. Upon completion on the exercise, his students gathered in my music classroom and David and I put every poem to music.
This was a great challenge for me as a musician. My primary instrument is drums. I play multiple instruments (guitar, bass, piano, etc...) in class. As a Composer, I am not one to sit down and write songs, but I have contributed to songs (both lyrically and musically) for over 30 years.
David and I (on the fly) sang and every student's creation with no preparation.
It was amazing to see how the students reacted when we put music to their words.
This is just one way to connect with the PLN "in-house." My challenge lies in finding other music teachers that teach contemporary/pop music. As I sit here and type, I just realized that I have a connection with a non-profit group, Little Kids Rock! I need to move on this! I will keep you posted!
September #blogamonth Prompt
A new beginning: One thing that is different from a year ago that I am grateful for…
For the past eight years, I have been teaching middle school music. This year (in addition to teaching middle school) I have been given the opportunity to teach piano to fourth grade students! When I was first asked by Mr. Frank if I would be interested in working with fourth graders in 2017, my reaction was, "YES, sign me up!"
Every year (for me) at Davis Academy is a "new" year. In sixth grade, I teach an introductory class for 12-weeks. It is an exploratory class in which students have the opportunity to try several instruments. At the end of the 12-weeks, I have a new students. In seventh and eighth grade, I work with students that have chosen music as their year-long elective. To me, choosing your elective puts a student in the driver's seat. I open the door" for students to learn in my classroom. It is their job to walk through it... Academics and electives provide students with a balanced day. It is important to give our students choices at an early age.
Fourth grade keyboard class works the same way. For nine-weeks, I work with students on fundamentals; from proper posture - to reading musical notation. Students have the chance to play in small groups, by themselves and as an entire class! I incorporate "recital time" in class, teaching students proper audience etiquette.
Finally, I have observed other teachers reward their students with tangible items for reaching different levels of achievement. My opinion is, "if it works for you, then more power to you." I debated on following a rewards system as students passed each section of the curriculum all summer before we started the school year. My gut told me to go "old school." When I was asked by students on the first day of school, "what will we receive when we get to a new level?" My answer was this:
"I want your reward to be the gift of learning how to play piano." Your hard work and perseverance will open the doors to making music for yourself and for your peers. I am a musician because I love to play and perform. I did not receive any gifts as incentive to learn. My parents bought my first drum set when I was Five years old. Forty-three years later, I still have a few pieces near my desk at Davis Academy. The remnants of my first drum set remind me of my childhood and the good times that I spent practicing and performing for my family and friends. My greatest reward is being able to share my experiences with my students.
In the end, my fourth grade students have embraced that "music" is their gift! I continue to encourage and support my students to challenge themselves every day.
Every year (for me) at Davis Academy is a "new" year. In sixth grade, I teach an introductory class for 12-weeks. It is an exploratory class in which students have the opportunity to try several instruments. At the end of the 12-weeks, I have a new students. In seventh and eighth grade, I work with students that have chosen music as their year-long elective. To me, choosing your elective puts a student in the driver's seat. I open the door" for students to learn in my classroom. It is their job to walk through it... Academics and electives provide students with a balanced day. It is important to give our students choices at an early age.
Fourth grade keyboard class works the same way. For nine-weeks, I work with students on fundamentals; from proper posture - to reading musical notation. Students have the chance to play in small groups, by themselves and as an entire class! I incorporate "recital time" in class, teaching students proper audience etiquette.
Finally, I have observed other teachers reward their students with tangible items for reaching different levels of achievement. My opinion is, "if it works for you, then more power to you." I debated on following a rewards system as students passed each section of the curriculum all summer before we started the school year. My gut told me to go "old school." When I was asked by students on the first day of school, "what will we receive when we get to a new level?" My answer was this:
"I want your reward to be the gift of learning how to play piano." Your hard work and perseverance will open the doors to making music for yourself and for your peers. I am a musician because I love to play and perform. I did not receive any gifts as incentive to learn. My parents bought my first drum set when I was Five years old. Forty-three years later, I still have a few pieces near my desk at Davis Academy. The remnants of my first drum set remind me of my childhood and the good times that I spent practicing and performing for my family and friends. My greatest reward is being able to share my experiences with my students.
In the end, my fourth grade students have embraced that "music" is their gift! I continue to encourage and support my students to challenge themselves every day.
Bob! Mazal tov on the blog post and on the awesome approach to the "new"!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE THIS. "students have embraced that "music" is their gift" This should be poster. Great share.
ReplyDeleteI love that you love music so much, because I think your love for it is contagious. I think if kids can learn that the process is the reward in itself, not a end result that is always just out of reach, than they can learn to just enjoy the learning. Happy is the man doing what he loves!
ReplyDeleteVery cool regarding your collaboration with Mr. Rifkin! I wonder what it would be like if you had the kids put the poetry to music? You could turn it into a fun competition. Be sure to checkout Kevin Honeycutt...he has some great musical ideas too! Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDelete