Group project

To find the group book, we all found one book and brought it in and we then picked which book we liked best. I was glad that the discussion board was available for our group to use because it was difficult finding time to meet with all our schedules.
We had fun doing this project together. We used class time to our advantage and I think we definitely benefited from that time. We got most of the materials and procedure figured out during class time. The only thing that was difficult was putting all together on paper without just making one person do the work. Blackboard helped with this issue.
My favorite part of this project was learning all the many ways you can create a fun learning atmosphere for your students. By this experience, children can learn the many things and many ways you can use as instruments to create certain sounds.

week 11

The Binary form has two contrasting parts, a chorus and a verse. During the verse, we held hands and walked to the right, and during the chorus, we stopped and clapped our hands and pretended we were butterflies. Some examples are "Aint No Mountain High Enough" by the Temptations and "ABC" by Jackson 5.

My favorite day this week was when we played all the precussion instruments to The Napping House story. It is important to incorporate things to involve the students in the lesson so that they stay focused and want to learn. I know from experience that if you just read a story to a child, they will be figgity and not want to listen if it is not interesting.

JOurnal week 10

I enjoyed class a lot this week. It was creative how Ms. Wang simply changed the lyrics for the Boo-Hoo Baby from the song What Do We Do with the Drunken Sailors. Having students decide what noises to make for all the animals in this song not only keep the students entertained and focused, but also help other students broaden their understanding of the topic by listening to their peers.

The Listening Walk activity was a great way to understand the concepts of dynamics and timbre. When teaching young students you can review when to use different levels of loudness and softness in everyday life. For example, in a library we should be quiet when we talk like a pigeon. We can be loud when outside like a jackhammer, if you CAN get that loud! Relating to music, the students can understand the difference between forte, piano, and the mezzos in between.

I like these activities because they are student-centered. No one is right or wrong which promotes self-esteem. By having each student create a sound, it keeps everyone involved and having fun.

Week 8

Creativity is important in any aspect. Being creative is beneficial because it makes students feel a certain pride and accomplishment when they create something of their own. Anyone can copy an idea just to get it done, but it takes a creative person to keep everyday life interesting. Throughout my grade school years, I was always told, "Have your finished product look like this." It bothered me that I could not put my own spin on the project or make it somewhat personal. It was a struggle in the beginning of high school when I was asked to create things because all I knew how to do was mirror.
By using what we have learned so far in our music class we can promote creativity. An example would be to have students show how they would keep the steady beat of a song or make a story using instruments for certain actions.

I was insterested in doing African American Culture and use
Jazz for the music. I chose this because I have been interested in my African American friends' backrounds and also because my boyfriend played in a Jazz band (trumpet).

week 7- test

I was grateful for the study guide because I went through each point and said the answer out loud to myself. The points that I was not sure about I look up the answers in the previous homework assignments. The most difficult part was going to remember the notation for each note and how to write them on the scale. I feel I have a good grasp on memorizing the hand signals and what each stands for and what letter it matches on the scale.

I have learned a lot this semester. The most difficult thing for me will be to use my head voice when singing with young students. I really enjoy learning how to play the recorder because I have tried to learn a few instruments, but I never got the hang of it. I learned the actual definitions of steady beat and rhythm, which before I didn't know there was a difference. Even though I do not still quite understand what the time measure means, I know what it is used for. I also learned through the lesson plan that the more lessons you teach the easier it will be to prepare for them and less nervous you will be after a while.

Reflection #6

The part that I found the most difficult was staying calm. I was very nervous which made me go off track from my plan.

Things I did not do well: When I used the recording, It went too quick when I was doing the movements.

What went well for me: I had the students laughing and it seemed they were having fun.

If I could do it again: I would talk slower and try not to be as nervous. I would also brought props to go along with the song.

Week 6- Self Evaluation