Journal/ Assignment # 6

This week we did our first teaching presentations. I felt that we all did very well. I was with linda and she told us that she was very impressed that we all used our "head voice". I was really worried when i did my lesson because i had lost my voice the day before due to all the weather changes so i sounded like a frog. I think i talked way to fast and my lesson seemed a little short, but all and all i felt like it went ok.

Here is my evaluation i did on myself. I always feel the need to be harder on myself so that i can leave A LOT of room for improvement!!

Evaluation Form for In-Class Teaching Assignment

Name: __Lauren_____________
Lesson: ___The hokey Pokey___________

Musicianship (5 pts) _______5______
In tune, accurate pitch
Accurate rhythm
Appropriate tempo
Phrasing
Expression

Leadership (10 pts) ______9__________
Body language
Facial expression
Voice tone and volume
Eye contact
Intensity (energy)

Preparation (15 pts) ________14_________
Knowledge of music
Knowledge of plan
Written plan
Instruments/equipment ready
Recordings/charts/materials ready

Delivery of Instruction (20 pts) _______18______
Motivation, capturing attention
Sequencing of steps
Verbal instructions
Questioning
Pace of lesson, flow, transition
Flexibility (ability to diagnose and adjust)
Feedback to the learners
Continuity/focus of lesson
Closure

Total Points ________46______ Date _2/24/09 (Date i did evaluation)____________

Journal # 5

This week we learned about lesson plans. In preparation for us teaching our first lesson next week. We turned in a first draft, then we had a chance to work with classmates to help us on making our lesson plan the best it could be.
Friday we practiced with our same group so that we would be prepared for teaching our lesson. I think many of us are nervous because we aren't really singers. But hopefully we will have fun with our lessons and learn a lot from each other as we go!

Journal #4

This week we learned how to create a lesson plan by using the song Tideo, we had learned the song the week before. Using Tideo gave us a better idea of how we should fill the lesson plan out.
It's important for us to learn how to write a lesson plan because a plan will help us to organize the lesson step by step. This will help us to be more confident when we are teaching. It's important for kids because they will learn better if we are well organized. The more confident we are the more comfortable the students will be learning new songs and concepts.This week we learned how to write a lesson plan. We talked about the different components that make up the plan like making sure that the song is appropriate for the grade level. We learned that there are National Standards that educators follow when teaching. We learned rest symbols for the different notes and we learned the C note on the recorder. I am still having some trouble on the recorder but will hopefully start to grasp in more in weeks to come.

Journal # 2

This week we learned about rhythm and steady beat. We did a activity with our names (which is also posted for you to see) and then we talked about rhythm being a combination of long, short, and silent sounds.

I found this all very intresting since i know NOTHING about music. This is all very foreign to me except for the little instuments we used, and the only thing i remember aboiut them is that i used them in grade school!

It is important that learn about all of this so that i can intigrate it in my class lessons when i become a teacher. Also if a student ever has a question about a musical instument or a certain type of rhythm excetra i should be able to answer there question, and not just make up a answer.

Music is very important in childrens lives. and because of all of the budget cuts sometimes classroom teachers are the only exposure these students are getting to music.

My fav kids songs are: Baby Baluga, Farmer in the dell, Abc's, itsy bitsy spider, you are my sunshine, Cinderella, Ring around the rosey...that is all i can think of..

Well thats all for now. See ya next time!

name Rhyme

My name is Laur-en
I don't speak fore-ign
I am not bor-in
Don't forget i'm Lau-en

Journal #1

Well week 1 has come and gone and i have been asking to tell about my musical history etc. I really have NO musical talent. I have been a preschool teacher for 2 years so i am pretty good at being goofy but i can't really sing...and i have even had my kids say "Miss Lauren can you please stop singing" haha so i must be pretty bad. Most of the time i remember listening to music when driving with my parents when i was little, or at my dance classes. I did ballet for 13 years and that is where i heard most classical music. My parents always listened to country music which is why i think i like it today. Now i listen to music alot. I have a pretty long drive to work which is -4 times a week so i listen to a variety of music.

I do have a ipod and it has well over 1000 songs on it. But since i have a old car i don't use my Ipod in my car much, usually just when i travel or when i am working out.

Since i only attended class on monday (due to the weather on wednesday and my car wouldn't start :(. ) I thought that this class is going to be a lot of fun as long as none of us mind being goofy around each other! I thought the hello song we sang was intresting and reminded me of one i use to sing to my pre schoolers every morning. All and all i think i will learn alot and have alot of fun!

Well i think that is all for me this time!

~Lauren~