It's no secret that public school teachers have a tough job. And it's no secret that teaching got a lot more challenging with the onset of Covid-19 and all of the upheaval of delivery methods for instruction. After more than two years of struggling to reach students through distance learning for which teachers received little … Continue reading Why Teaching Matters More Now Than Ever
Music Education
A practical guide to planning, teaching, and assessing music instruction.
Culturally Responsive Music Education: Are We There Yet?
Culturally Responsive Music Education is a term that has been coined to describe the desirable approach to teaching music that accounts for the personal contexts of students and their teacher, and the effects of the interactions of those contexts between students and teacher. These contexts are filled out by factors of age, gender, cultural values, … Continue reading Culturally Responsive Music Education: Are We There Yet?
Pitfalls and Solutions for Teaching Piano
This morning, I was reviewing a piano course for children. There are dozens of these available. They are series of books that include one for piano lessons, one for music theory, and then supplemental song books, often dedicated to holidays or themes. The pages are colorful, sometimes with cartoon-like characters that serve as friendly guides … Continue reading Pitfalls and Solutions for Teaching Piano
Why Teaching Pitches Is So Difficult and What To Do About It
I am one who easily looses things. Where did I put that sweater? I can’t find my water bottle. I need that wrench to fix the shower but I don’t know where it is. This is more of my life than I care to admit, unless I employ one priceless strategy. Always put things away … Continue reading Why Teaching Pitches Is So Difficult and What To Do About It
Curiosity and Learning
Curiosity may have killed the cat, but it breathes life into every learner. Think of anything you have ever wanted to learn, anything after which you sought more information. Remember times when you thought or said, "isn't that interesting; I wonder what that is." "Or I wonder how that works." Many times, after having your … Continue reading Curiosity and Learning
An Easier Way to Make Learning Tracks
Whether you are musical director for a show, chorus director, or band or orchestra director, you know that students usually learn faster and more effectively if they have a recording of their part with which to listen and practice. While these Cds or mp3 audio files are an effective tool, they can take a tremendous … Continue reading An Easier Way to Make Learning Tracks
Covid-19: What’s a Parent to Do?
As the Covid-19 pandemic persists, and the Delta variant infects school age children much more prolifically than the original strain did, returning to school after the summer recess has suddenly become complex and confusing for parents, students, teachers, and administrators. Laws banning mask mandates fly in the face of CDC recommendations that all students wear … Continue reading Covid-19: What’s a Parent to Do?
Acapella–The App
In the post, Music Technology Tips for Parents and Teachers, several apps were recommended, including Acapella. This is an app that is available in the Apple app store, and in Google play. It is an app designed for use on mobile devices, and can be used for collaborating from anywhere, which makes it a perfect … Continue reading Acapella–The App
Music Technology Tips for Parents and Teachers
Because so many schools are still doing distance learning this fall, parents and teachers are turning to online music resources to help supplement the education of their students. The following tips and resources will help teachers and parents integrate more music technology into their students lives. Tips and Resources for Music Teachers Tips If you … Continue reading Music Technology Tips for Parents and Teachers
Back To School Isn’t What It Used To Be
For most, this is back to school week. If you are a teacher reading this article, I encourage you to share it with parents of your students. This discussion is meant for all stake holders in children and their education. Children are returning to school campuses for the resumption of in-person instruction, or for a … Continue reading Back To School Isn’t What It Used To Be
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