My students are excited about music - making music as well as learning about it! Sometimes I wish I could clone myself - especially when I see kids who become frustrated or upset because they need more one-on-one attention.
Our school is a large, diverse, urban public elementary school in New York City.
My students are a talented group of kids. Our school values the arts, and students receive instruction in art, music and movement each week. I see about 450 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students in my music classes, and they learn to play the recorder and guitar as well as concert band and modern rock band instruments. In addition to performing in our two concert bands, recorder ensemble, chorus and rock bands, students also learn to read music, play games and attend orchestra and opera performances.
My Project
With assessment becoming such an important part of the school day, I'm always looking for fun and interesting ways to track and boost student progress. I've been learning about apps for the iPad which can be used to help students who are struggling, as well as students who could use an extra challenge. I've also been creating mini video lessons, which students can watch in small groups or individually while I am working with another group. Having an iPad will be a new and exciting way to interact with students!
Unless people start cloning teachers (or lowering class sizes), I will use whatever I can to reach out to my students who need more one-on-one attention.
An iPad in our music classroom will help motivate and challenge those students, and allow me to work with multiple levels and abilities at the same time.
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