Domain 3: Instruction. The components in Domain 3 are what constitute the core of teaching – the engagement of students in learning contest. These include communicating clearly and accurately, using questioning and discussion techniques, engaging students in learning, providing feedback to students, and demonstrating flexibility and responsiveness. Charlotte Danielson, “Enhancing Professional Practice: A Framework for Teaching,” Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.
Addressing Modalities Through Stations
As mentioned in Domain 1, using learning stations provided a new and unique process for students to reinforce their knowledge and understanding of music. In addition, these stations provided opportunities for all students to be successful, regardless of preferred learning style or modality.
During a stations activity used with 3rd graders, students demonstrated their understanding of notes and rhythms while linking this knowledge through English Language Arts Skills, as well as Mathematics Skills.
During a stations activity used with 3rd graders, students demonstrated their understanding of notes and rhythms while linking this knowledge through English Language Arts Skills, as well as Mathematics Skills.
Using Music To Teach Skills Beyond the Music Room
Incorporating English Language Arts and Mathematics Skills into a music lesson is seamless, and is often done subconsciously, due to the nature of the craft of music. While learning rhythms, numbers, counting and fractions become relevant. Syllables and speech dictate rhythm and beats. Synthesizing these skills make them more advantatious and useful, across the board in all curriculums. The lesson plan described below included stations utilizing both Math and ELA skills to further reinforce those skills through the use of music.
Creating Original Compositions
While learning to read, write and understand music notation, using these skills to create an original composition shows one of the highest levels of comprehension. By breaking down these steps into simple instructions, these 'small' tasks lead students into a greater understanding of this notation, and for what it actually stands. It is also an extremely rewarding experience, to hear something that you created. Students were inspired, and excited by what they heard.
Invented Instruments
While studying ethnomusicology and musical instruments, fifth grade classes watched a documentary on "The Recyclers", an orchestra comprised of instruments entirely made out of "trash". Entitled "From Trash To Triumph", students were inspired by these musicians, as well as other videos and resources. Students created their own "Invented Instrument" made from unconventional materials, and were asked to create their own "sound piece". The creativity, independence, and organization of this assignment revealed a lot about the individual's abilities, as well as their inhibitions. Students had to really put themselves out there, as they presented their homemade, individual composition.