Standard 5: Innovative Application of Content
The teacher understands how to connect concepts and use differing perspectives to engage learners in critical/creative thinking and collaborative problem solving related to authentic local and global issues.
As a music educator, the very nature of our subject matter promotes qualities that the global society values in productive citizens, including critical/creative thinking and collaborative problem solving. Music in a classroom requires students to think critically while evaluating performances or learning a new piece of music. It also requires creative thinking when composing or improvising. And collaborative problem solving is inevitable when students are given instruments and need to learn how to work together to make music together, as one single ensemble. Music provides a safe means for students to practice real-world skills like these and a good music teacher knows that and incorporates it into their teaching philosophy.
I feel comfortable in this area of expertise. Successful music ensembles are made of members who understand the skills needed to better the group. These skills include teamwork, work ethic, and self-accountability, which all can be applied to authentic problem solving in the arts and areas outside the arts. I feel that I have been in music ensembles long enough to have gained a strong understanding of these skills and will be able to educate my students of their importance. In my MUSE 375 class, we discussed classroom activities geared toward skills like group creativity. The activity that we explored the most is a group composition activity. This kind of work requires students to practice working together with people who may not think the same way as them, which is a necessary skill in the real world.
I think that one of the best ways to improve myself in this area is to seek out real world experience with students. But that is something that will only come with time. I look forward to deepening my understanding of this standard and hopefully discovering that I am more prepared than I currently feel that I am to build myself in this area. I have grown in this area already while working with several high school front ensembles, but this is still area that I will continue to strive for growth in.
comprehensive_musicianship_lesson_plan.docx | |
File Size: | 64 kb |
File Type: | docx |