The lesson plan I chose to analyze and deconstruct was a 6th grade
general music lesson plan on Chinese music. Kieth Watlington created this
lesson plan for the South Brunswick public school system. I chose this lesson
plan because it addressed several New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards,
and was addressed to general music, which is a subject area I hope to teach.
The technology used in this lesson was not very detailed throughout the plan-
for example, the lesson plan talks about explaining elements of the lesson to
the students, and it lists several different technologies that would be
necessary to conduct the lesson such as internet and video, but is very vague
as to how these technologies are used. Though the lesson is overall very
cohesive, it lacks clarity in the use of the technologies.
The technologies that were discussed in the lesson plan, such as using Prezi presentations and videos, as well as the use of keyboards, are useful and fit very well into the lesson. However, the lesson could use some more. Instead of watching one video over the five-day unit, I believe that it would be beneficial to incorporate more video clips. For example, a video of someone performing “Silver Moon Boat Song” would be very helpful and would help the students understand the elements such as form and structure, which they are intended to learn during the lesson.
Additionally, a video on the influences that Chinese instruments and musical traditions have had on world music would be helpful in integrating New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standard 1.2, History of the Arts and Culture. I also believe that the integration of Smart Board technology, assuming that it is attainable for this particular lesson, would be helpful. Using the smart board to teach the grand staff, as well as different time signatures, would allow teachers to write on a staff and erase easily. I also feel that it would be beneficial for not only long-term knowledge retention, but for the happiness and excitement of students, to use recording technology to record the performances for the students. This lesson plan was already good, but with the integration of additional technologies, I believe that the unit would be even more successful.
This sounds like really interesting lesson plan! I definitely agree with the additions you made to the technology component of it, especially talking about a video involving the influence of Chinese music on other world musics. I think this is important in helping the students make the connection between why they are studying this music and how it relates to their own lives.
ReplyDeleteStefani, overall your lesson plan analysis is well articulated here. Make sure that you are clear which "Strategies" are student-centered and which ones are teacher-centered, so that you vary your methods and differentiate instruction. I also encourage you to attend SmartBoard training (for free at MSU, when it's offered through the ADP Center) so that you can see all the different teaching methods you can employ with it—not just in the way that you mention here. For example, it's interactive, and can also be used to collect and transcribe the data (think musical notation) that you write on it. Although many schools have SmartBoards in their classrooms, they are often not fully utilized to diversify teaching methods.
ReplyDeleteThis lesson sounds amazing. I liked how you connected art and history to your lesson. I think its important to learn about other culture music, that way they see and listen how other culture differs from theirs.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate the idea of using so many different aspects in one lesson. I think that it may be a little tricky in the sense that you are using cultural music, music programs,a and prezi. I would only worry that many students may be lacking enough experience with all these that your lesson may take a really long time to complete. It is a good idea to integrate culture, technologies, and different programs I would just be weary.
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