I still wanted listening and diversity to be the central focus of the lesson. This time, however, I made the diversity piece more subtle (but with equal impact). In the 1st lesson I played recording of an pianist and then had the students guess their race/gender and then sketch what they think the musician looked like. In the new lesson, I gave each student a packet containing pictures/profiles of a diverse group of pianists, then I randomly played a recording of each musician represented in the packet. I asked the students to match the artist with the recording and hold up their choice for me to see. I then revealed who the artist was and asked the students to answer the pre-written questions on that artist's page.
Overall, I felt that this lesson was more successful than the first.
1. Student engagement seemed to be the biggest improvement. When the packets were passed out everyone seemed to look through them with interest and curiosity. As each recording was played, students were actively listening and formulating their responses.
2. Elimination of the computer/smart board helped me narrow the classroom area down and keep the students more focused on the material and me.
3. The lesson packet provided a tangible method for student response and improved assessment. It also served as a jumping off point for future lessons on specific pianists.
4. My goal was to make the students hungry for more info about the piano. I think, if this class had been 9th grade general music, that would been an achievable goal.
With a few more tweaks this lesson could go in the tool bag.
Overall, I felt that this lesson was more successful than the first.
1. Student engagement seemed to be the biggest improvement. When the packets were passed out everyone seemed to look through them with interest and curiosity. As each recording was played, students were actively listening and formulating their responses.
2. Elimination of the computer/smart board helped me narrow the classroom area down and keep the students more focused on the material and me.
3. The lesson packet provided a tangible method for student response and improved assessment. It also served as a jumping off point for future lessons on specific pianists.
4. My goal was to make the students hungry for more info about the piano. I think, if this class had been 9th grade general music, that would been an achievable goal.
With a few more tweaks this lesson could go in the tool bag.
