Each Monday evening at 8PM EST, music teachers get together and share ideas about important topics within music education. It’s a great chance to interact directly with educators from all over the world and to get new tips and tricks to help you succeed in the classroom. The entire #musedchat discussion is organized and moderated by Joe Guarr.
A1: trio unit in beginning band WAY too early this year! We have shorter class periods losing 1 day every 7. We were not ready for part independence needed for trios as early #musedchat
A1: My lesson schedule was not ideal at one of my schools - forcing mixed instrumentation and ability level in each group. I needed to revamp my approach. Not ideal, but I learned a lot for next year. #musedchat
A1: Biggest classes I've had so far which led to some management issues on my part. Need to revisit some better strategies to have more enjoyable classes for all, even when they're large. #musedchat
A1: picked some lit that turned out to be more challenging than I thought (Rhythm Stand). Mistake was not sticking with it longer. Should've broken it down to the very basics #musedchat
A1 Over-programming for a parade. Lost some rehearsal time trying to learn too much music, but then decided to cut the extras and focused on the basics. The kids (and I) feeling much more confident in quality vs quantiy. :) #musedchat
A1: Assuming the pace of the classroom in high school band. I would find myself getting way too deep with the material when Ss needed more time. #musedchat
A1: one thing that didn’t go as planned this year was how much my 8th graders struggled. I was my first year at this school & I definitely overestimated how much they knew. I wish I could have helped them more & reacted more quickly. /1 #musedchat
A2: Though I'm not where I'd like to be yet, I talk less and I'm less uptight/overly professional with Ss. I'm happy to see that progress with myself. #musedchat
A2: Band Karate for 4th and 5th grade with playing "tests" and google form music literacy quizzes to achieve the belts. It motivated a lot of kids and encouraged them to think more about band outside of lessons. #musedchat
By the time 2nd semester rolled around, I begun playing a lot of unison music with them to help with tone development. Lots of finale work on my end to help with this -& it was probably too little too late- but it definitely will help me with next years 8th graders! #musedchat
I’m proud of the relationships I built with my kids. Our music wasn’t perfect, but there is now a foundation of “band family” and pride that was missing when I first got to the school. #musedchat
A2: I’m proud of the relationships I built with my kids. Our music wasn’t perfect, but there is now a foundation of “band family” and pride that was missing when I first got to the school. #musedchat
A1: I was trying to catch up with a homecoming parade and tore my ACL in the process. Didn't plan on being absent for those 6 weeks of recovery. #musedchat
Building a culture around the program can be one of the hardest things to develop in a program. So glad to hear this worked out for you and your Ss! #musedchat
A2: I followed advice from @mssackstein and went gradeless for all performing classes. Best decision I ever made. Kids did more and didn't require a grade to motivate them. They just concentrated on learning. #hackingassessment#musedchat
That's fantastic! And honestly, establishing a culture like that is maybe more important than how you play. It's going to attract kids to your program #musedchat
How did that work out logistically? How did you work it out with admin? It's a tempting prospect, but the set up to make it happen feels intimidating. #musedchat
This is great! When the kids submit a video, what program do they use? I'd like to start a digital portfolios for each kid to share their progress with parents and themselves!
We are 1:1 chrome books. We allow reflections on a running google doc. Then we have 10 minute convo at end of marking where they ask for a grade and convince me they earned it. #musedchat
We are 1:1 chrome books. We allow reflections on a running google doc. Then we have 10 minute convo at end of marking where they ask for a grade and convince me they earned it. #musedchat
Hi #musedchat! I'm Eileen, MA, daytime & after-school flute class teacher in local band-oriented school programs. A1: the intermediate kids (who had 3 tchrs last yr) never really caught up to where the "new" intermediate kids set the bar. Should have kept them separated.
#musedchat A2: the afternoon class all learned 20 songs/ earned their ribbons, and the Fabulous Flutist button that comes with that accomplishment. First entire class to do that in the 11 years I've been teaching there.
Hmmm. It's something I've pondered now and again. I may pick your brain again. Wonder how it might work out with MS students. Maybe just start with 8th grade. #musedchat
A2: My greatest successes were Getting Stuff. Instruments, Chromebooks, we hardly have enough room to store things. Obtaining things has always been a struggle but this year it rained down equipment on us. #musedchat
A2: We bought 62 new pieces for our middle school bands to share district-wide with a grant this year. Exciting to have some updated music and more diverse composers to choose from. #musedchat
A2: We bought 62 new pieces for our middle school bands to share district-wide with a grant this year. Exciting to have some updated music and more diverse composers to choose from. #musedchat
A3: we are excited to build a series of student recitals. We have a concert where up and comers can showcase talent already. Now they can start to build 30 minute programs and perform for other Ss during academic resource period. #musedchat
Various classes (all over the county) got Chromebook carts. I got to be one of them. We made like a 210% increase in the use of Google Classroom, too. #musedchat
A3: The new music search inspired me to set a goal of at least one female/minority composer per group per performance next year. Also introducing some additional performance opportunities for 6th graders to provide some more mid-year excitement. #musedchat
Borrowed some of my list from what you shared earlier in the year. Already want to add to it after spending some time clicking around @ComposerProject too! #musedchat
A3: Our district has always stressed using Music Learning Theory and this year I jumped right in and had the kids start counting with numbers right away. I love their level of understanding and can't wait to continue building on that next year in lessons and ensemble. #musedchat
