Thoughts+from+Our+Past+Student+Teachers


 * __ Suggestions from one student teacher to another __**
 * Don't be afraid to ask questions! You will learn a lot about the program, and your cooperating teacher will learn a lot about you.
 * Your goal should be to make the program where you're student teaching better. This doesn't mean you have to be the best teacher in the world-- no one is expecting that. Doing little things like straightening stands and chairs, picking up trash, etc. goes a long way. If you see something that needs to be done, do it. Leave your mark!
 * Don't be afraid to fix pedagogical practices that need some attention. Make sure your cooperating teacher agrees with this, and REINFORCE, REINFORCE, REINFORCE. Middle school students are soon to slip back into old habits.
 * Start by working with small groups. Take a few minutes before starting the lesson to remind yourself of everyone's name. There are some kids whose name you will always forget. That is okay, as long as you make it clear to them that you are putting in the effort.
 * Pick up a minor instrument everyday. Focus on those you don't know a lot about. Asking your students questions helps them reinforce the concepts while teaching you something new.
 * This took me a long time to learn: as a teacher in front of a class, it is perfectly okay to ignore (or "not hear") a student speaking out of turn. Middle school students don't always think before they speak.
 * Don't be afraid to get creative. It's important to differentiate your instruction to these students. Doing the same style of teaching and lesson planning on a daily basis gets old for any grade level. Take advantage of the various FREE softwares and programs out there that will enhance your teaching. These are not only fun but simple to do. Taking a simple rhythm exercise and making a game out of it can be fun and easy to create.
 * Get to know your kids! Find out what interests them, don't just tell them about your life and your experiences--make them feel like their life is interesting enough for you to want to learn about them! It helps to forge deeper connections with students and will get them motivated to want to play well for you.
 * Create worksheets for rhythms/melodic motives/scales that your pieces use. Transpose them for all the instruments so everyone can read and play them together. Use them as part of your warm-ups and make sure that the kids know what they are and where they happen in your pieces--this goes a long way to having kids learn about the piece!
 * Do some background research on your pieces! Teach a bit of history or science or cultural upbringings that go along with the piece every day, and the kids will develop a deeper appreciation for the music. Think outside the Music Theory/Music History box!
 * There's always a time and a place to inject a bit of humor into your lessons, but keep in mind why they are there and why you are there--the students are there to play their instruments, not to hear your stand-up routine.
 * Even if you are not staying here for a long time, get in the habit of acting in a professional manner even when no one is watching. Make it a habit now, and it will save you time when you step up onto the podium later. Kids pick up on that quickly, and they will respond accordingly.
 * Again, ask lots of questions! You are only here for two months out of the year--ask about programs/activities/concerts/traditions that occur when you are //not// going to be observing and teaching them! That information is just as important as everything you see and do!
 * Don't be afraid to go outside your comfort zone! If you're a brass player, pick up a clarinet and play along in technique classes! If you play saxophone, pick up a trombone and join in with a band class you don't teach! If you are not comfortable teaching/playing jazz, get involved with that as soon as possible! Diversify your experience as much as you can!
 * As much work as you're doing for edTPA or whatever other final assessment you're doing now, keep a journal or diary of your experiences along with your notes and resources. It's a great place to celebrate your personal victories alongside your challenges without anyone else having to know. It also gives you a great gauge for monitoring personal growth along the way.

(Scale Sheet for "Uptown Funk", including F Major, F Lydian, D minor, and D Dorian scales)
 * Projects **

(Rhythm Sheet for "Uptown Funk"; uses six different motives from the piece and can be played on any note or up/down a scale for warm-up)

(Sample Middle School Program)