Student Centered Learning:

Using my knowledge of my students backgrounds and interests, I designed a 4th grade world music unit in which students were able to learn about music in other cultures as well as share their own multicultural musical experiences.

Knowing that my 5th grade students learn better when choice is involved, I created a unit in which they worked in small groups on their choice of ukulele song.

 

Classroom Management:

Because I am currently teaching music to TK students through grade, keeping each age level engaged and interested was a challenge. Pacing was another one of my focuses this year. It seems that 3rd grade responds well to fast-paced, repetitive learning, whereas 4th and 5th grade tend to want to dive deeper into certain areas of music that grab their attention. Second grade and younger seemed to thrive in one-class lessons rather than units that spanned over multiple music classes. Since classes are a week apart, getting younger children to retain information that is brand new to them proved to be challenging!

 

Differentiation:

Being new to the special needs world, I focused greatly on ways that I can improve lesson designs in my moderate-severe classes this year. I realized that students benefitted from a music therapy approach on their lessons, rather than a theory focused curriculum. This is discussed on other areas of my site as well, because it was a big focus throughout both my induction journey and projects completed in my Master's program.

 

Meeting the Needs of Students:

I have learned that utilizing multiple means of engagement and expression are helpful when it comes to keeping students interested in the material. Additionally, it motivates them to push themselves and helps them to feel comfortable with taking risks in a musical environment!

Allowing children to express their musical knowledge solely through performance can be nerve wracking. I assess progress and needs by allowing students to show what they know both on paper and in practice.

 

Pictured above: 4th grade class learning xylophone Orff arrangements, 2025.