Teaching Tips from the March Newsletter

There has been an interesting discussion in one of my Chat Groups around vocal problems and music teaching. I penned a bit of advice to those of us struggling with these issues.

Professional help is often necessary and we are all a bit guilty about leaving that too late. “I’ll be OK” – sometimes doesn’t cut it. in the past Jane Mott (Speech Therapist) and voice amplifier has helped me.

A bit of personal advice from an old teacher (me).

One thing we can all do is look to our own practice and see what we can change to help.

There are many things we can’t change – time table,  work load….some things we can change.

Written by a Pre-School Teacher – It says it all!

I was on a parenting bulletin board recently and read a post by a mother who was worried that her 4 1/2 year old did not know enough. “What should a 4 year old know?” she asked.Most of the answers left me not only saddened but pretty soundly annoyed. One mom posted a laundry list of all of the things her son knew. Counting to 100, planets, how to write his first and last name, and on and on. Others chimed in with how much more their children already knew, some who were only three. A few posted URL’s to lists of what each age should know. The fewest yet said that each child develops at his own pace and not to worry.

It bothered me greatly to see these mothers responding to a worried mom by adding to her concern, with lists of all the things their children could do that hers couldn’t. We are such a competitive culture that even our pre-schoolers have become trophies and bragging rights. Childhood shouldn’t be a race.So here, I offer my list of what a 4 year old should know.

I am super excited by my newest addition to Youtube. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJdnNTX8yl8


I am fully aware that all of you techie types out there will probably stifle a giggle when you see what took me literally hours to do. 

I made this (and many more on the way) for a couple of reasons. One of the problems I see in music teaching is the difficulty in becoming truly literate. But this I mean that the symbols and sounds are linked on all levels and in any context. This clip will put notation and sound in front of the kids, and they will be engaged!

Humour in the Classroom

Not everyone is the Class Clown – I confess I am. Humour plays a really important part in my teaching style. Every teacher brings something unique to their classroom and I guess one of the things I bring is laughter. I have one puppet that is so naughty that he can’t come to school very often. Sheldon, the snail, is cheeky and just loves to make everyone laugh, so when he appears we get very side tracked. He is a Folkmanis large snail, well he was before he became mine.
I also have a ‘joke of the week’ for years 4 to 7. It really doesn’t take long, and some kids really look forward to it. I have heard some families get the weekly Joke at the dinner table on music lesson days! (Poor things!) I used to have one for all year levels, but the frustration of having to explain the joke to the little ones got to me! Besides, we have enough laughs with the little ones without a Mrs O’Shea slack joke! But of course the most important thing for me is to have a laugh with the students over things that happen in the lesson. I stress WITH the students. The biggest crime in my music room is to laugh AT someone. The Dragon Lady of the Music Room comes out if that ever happens.

I hope that you all appreciate the talents that you bring to your music room.

(From the Crescendo Free Newsletter - sign up on www.crescendo.com.au )

Hot off the press - Semester 1 aural/written music tests! Year 1 - 7 - here is Queensland. For those not in Queensland the Sunshine State, this equates to 5/6 year olds up to 12 year olds.

The tests are FREE!!!!!!

Click here
While you are in the Crescendo site - have a look around! There are loads of freebies - and over 1000 more downloads for an annual membership. (I think it is great value - but of course I would!)

Dear Teachers,
A very exciting event for musicians (young and not so young) is planned for Saturday July 13th in Brisbane.
We need 6,500 musicians to play in the World’s Largest Orchestra with James Morrison.

Please consider organising a group from your school?
QMF have provided loads of support (everything from media releases like the one attached) to risk assessments and notes for parents… and more.
If taking a group isn’t possible, please promote it to your school community and encourage families to be involved.
The official Media release is attached, including all the links, so it would be easy to send a note home, put an article in the School Newsletter, post something on your blog, tell your students….

Spread this message as wide as you can – access all your networks – PLEASE PASS THIS ON - let’s not miss this opportunity for advocacy!

Teachers Pet
Some nice free music printables!