Teacher Observation: Day 1

Charlotte Avenue School Observation Day 1

Melanie Paul, General Music/Chorus Teacher

Arrived- 8:45 AM

First Class- 9:10 AM(5^th grade General Music)

Exploring West African Music

• shows students a map of Africa, explains that Africa is a continent not a country
• talks to students about the talking drum, explains the sounds it makes and how that happens
  - compares it to the drum they have already talked about previously
• talks specifically about Uganda- interested about the vegetation and shows them pictures- like a combination of different areas
  - then compares that to how there is a large combination of instruments in Uganda
• shows them a video that explains these instruments
• asks them what they found interesting about the instruments
  - what parts there were of the instruments(melody, harmony)
  - compares it to when they did jazz( improvisation)
  - use the instruments/sounds in every part of their life
• asks students what the purpose of music is in America- form of entertainment here as opposed to a tool, part of everyday life
• has many African instruments- each of which she explains and shows around
• connects everything back to things they've discussed before- differing rhythms
• talks about djembes(Ghana), and then shows them different drums from Kenya
• gives everyone an instrument, and gives them different rhythms to play together
• explains polyrhythms and syncopation
• explains each rhythm, and students play together on different percussive instruments
• shows homeroom teacher what they have learned

2^nd period- 4^th grade general music

• they had just done standarized testing- giving them a relaxing morning
• watching a Britain's Got Talent clip- boys choir
• talk about the experience and influence music has on children- more than just entertainment
• stresses the importance of keeping music forever- even if they don't perform professionally
• shows them Quaver's Marvelous World of Music- an interactive computer music program
  - uses a Garage Band esque program- will create song together

3^rd period- Special Needs class

• plays guitar
• starts with the same song every time
• anywhere from five to ten students
• five paraprofessionals
• she has each student come up to the guitar and play it
• she brings out boxes of instruments and has the students each pick one out(percussive)
• plays a track for them to play with- will stop and start it to see their response
• then invites them to switch to play a different instrument- move and sing with their instrument

FREE PERIOD/LUNCH

• sat with other teachers for lunch period in the teacher's room
• once finished, went back to the classroom to help Mrs. Paul set up for her chorus dress rehearsal
• brought in chairs, piano, risers, etc
• once done, started folding programs for the choir concert tomorrow

Fourth Period- Chorus Dress Rehearsal

• Mrs. Paul introduced me and the accompanist to the students
• Chorus is made up of fourth and fifth graders
• Concert is tomorrow- one for the students in the morning, and for parents and friends
• first time both groups have sung together with accompanist in full order
• concert program has wide variety of pieces- seven total
• when students aren't giving as much as Mrs. Paul would like in terms of emotion and expression, she asks them to think about what the song means to them, and immediately sees/hears a change
• has five more minutes, and asks students to get into different positions for “Old Joe Clark”
• song includes clapping, movement, and storytelling aspects
  This ran into two periods, so for the rest of her period, she prepped for the concert.
• Bus Duty- after school Mrs. Paul had bus duty, so I went with her to complete that