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Reflection and Getting Better!

This is my second semester teaching Music Production I and Concert Band at Pentucket Regional High School in West Newbury, MA.  As I begin this new year, I am trying to think of ways that I can improve my teaching as well as all the aspects of my job. 

Firstly, I found myself scattered with assignments last semester.  I tried to use the school's online information collaboration portal known as School Loop, but it was hard for students to find assignments that I posted.  As a result, I have created a wiki (www.pentucketmusic.wetpaint.com).  Here, students can simply click on the calendar to see what is due (only one assignment so far).  I provide a link on a due date so that students can access the materials which are located somewhere else on the wiki.  I also added a forum section where I am asking one question per week that the students must answer.  The first question is who is your favorite music artist and why.  I am reading the responses and am responding to them with links to other webpages or YouTube videos.

Additionally, this semester I am going to pass out one copy of the project outline to each group.  Last semester I tended to tell the class how to do stuff.  My goal now is for them to have to ask me less questions about the "how" and more of the contented "what."  I am additionally going to be copy/pasting the project outlines onto the wiki so students can have it on the computer while they are working both at home and school.

For Concert Band, I have purchased a four-draw organizer for students to put their music folder in.  The music folder area in the music room is probably the most disorganized aspect of the room.  As soon as one student goes to grab a folder, other students' folders end up on the ground. 

I am pretty much all done selecting the music for Concert Band this semester.  The concert is going to be fantastic!  Looking back, one of the issues we had last semester was that for a five-week period, we had a performance every week.  From football games, Veteran's Day ceremonies, color-day and the holiday concert, our students were busy catching up.  Our first gig for the band this semester is not for a few months.  As a result, I feel like we can slow down and focus more on music concept exercises in order to build a higher level of musicianship within the band.  




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