Day Ten

So today we had to teach the "class" using literary devices throughout our individual concentration. We had the After Class Literary Devices such as assessment. We pretty much used what we would usually teach in a class and explained how we could make them think about a certain idea. We analyzed the piece "Sing Sing Sing" which was wrote near the early twenties. It is definitely a jazz piece but with some unorthodox rhythms. A lot of what the students will have to play will need to felt and not read.

In a way we needed to teach to ignore what is written or heard and use their imagination. It's not something very easily taught. This type of rhythm has to be learned solely by the individual student. Some of the accents and emphasis is on non-typical jazz beats. This is what the students will struggle with the most.

I enjoyed how everyone was able to use their subject to tie into the same lesson. It's interesting to see how different lessons and subjects can change the output of a certain time period or event. This is one reason why I love conservatories. To learn math and history as it relates to music would be so amazing. I've already learned more in my music history class than anything in the seven or eight years or regular history classes.

Day Nine

So Today was fun. I went to an Elementary School and helped watch over the kid's lunch while the teachers were able to get a little more of a break from things. It was pretty fun hearing the random things kids would say or do. Also reassured me of why I'm teaching high school. I saw a lot of teachers and principles there that I knew either from church or they taught at another school that I attended as a child. It's nice to live in a small community where you know people everywhere.

My spring break was pretty solid. I stayed at home for half of it. I went to my old high school a lot and taught a few classes. It was fun being there a little more consistent than my usual once a week. All of the music students know who I am and I've taught most of them individually so i'm comfortable there. I also know all of the teachers and faculty so it helps with the all around atmosphere. I feel like a real teacher when I'm there in front of all the kids. It also helps that I've played in so many different groups growing up. I've played in various ensembles from Hickory to Greensboro to Rutherford. As a section leader or concert master I've had to stand up and teach entire sections or groups multiple times. I really see these experiences starting to help when I'm in a school setting with fresh faces. I'm able to explain to them what they are doing or need to do in order to achieve a certain style or technique.

While I was there at my old school I hung around one of my friends who is currently working there and just finished student teaching here at the university. He really got my hopes up when he told me that real life teaching is very different than student teaching. A lot less stress and writing, with a lot more teaching and actually doing the thing. They said that they can actually sleep now, which is nice. They also don't have to worry as much about lesson plans being at a certain level or format. I was happy the help this past week and I look forward to going back and seeing how the students have progressed.

Day Eight

So today was interesting. We had another guest speaker who did really well. I learned a lot about star wars... We actually did a good bit to do with real teaching or, doing the thing. We learned new strategies to read at any level and can relate to music pretty well.

She talked about reading briefly through something just to get an idea about it. Then going through section by section discriminating differences throughout. This is something we do in music every time we practice. We get a new piece and try just reading through it. then we go back and practice sections, especially the hard sections. Except for music we have to practice these sections at a VERY slow pace and gradually speed it up. And instead of doing this in a few minutes, it takes us hours or days depending on the piece.

Everything in this lesson however can be used somehow in a music classroom so I actually enjoyed today. But the year is almost over. I'm excited for the summer however I do now know what to do. I've had two summer camps ask me to work for them as well as three weddings I have to play for. If it were up to me I would just rock climb everywhere. The only problem is that I need money because school says I can't have any.