Today we had two informative sessions. The first was the Critical Aesthetic Response Class where we discussed the upcoming action research project. We brainstormed some ideas for the project as Orchestra Teachers. There was alot of discussion concerning assessment and keeping track of the data. Dr. Adriana Janse van Rensburg was very effective in guiding the discussion and steering us to think outside of the box. She encouraged us to work smart and not try to make it too overwhelming.
We had some brief dialogue on "Whole New Mind" by Daniel Pink. Our assignment for the next time is to select one theme from the book to re-read and to try to implement into our classroom instruction. I will need to design activities by restructuring my lesson plan to incorporate "symphony", one of Pink's six ways of thinking. What is symphony? It is the ability to put together all of the pieces, the ability to see the big picture. This will help me to exercise the right brain of my students. As teachers, we are often encouraged to use the higher order of Bloom's Taxonomy, but do we really know how to achieve this task? Symphony allows the learner to synthesize the information as opposed to analyzing it. It allows students to see the relationship between the various instruments in the orchestra as opposed to seperate sections of the orchestra. I think this will be very helpful for them in understanding how to be an effective member of the total ensemble. I am looking forward to implementing this strategy.
The second session was Teacher as Artist. I really enjoyed this session today. Colleagues shared stories and played music selections of those who were influential in their music careers and who provided inspiration and mentoring for them as musicians. We heard selections from Nancy Wilson (The Nearness of You), James Swearingen ( Novena), Earth Wind and Fire ( Imagination) and Lee Hoodrige (Violin Concerto in D).
Reflecting back over my life, "Climb Every Mountain" from "The Sound Of Music" by Rogers and Hammerstein is one of my earliest memories of musical inspiration. It was my fourth grade music teacher, Mrs. Law, who help to nurture my early years in the school chorus. I also participated in the string orchestra program. My high school band director, Willie Lyles, was probably the next important person in my formative years. He guided my musicianship and encouraged me to compose. I ended up singing with his adult band for over 15 years after high school graduation. I would list these two fine music educators as being my mentors and my inspiration for being an orchestra teacher for almost 25 years now.
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