First Nine Weeks
This year, we have around 230 singers in chorus, it has grown from 180 in 2014! The classes are large and have had to change a little, especially due to class sizes. On most days, we head into the classroom, grab our "altered" journals, take a seat and watch a video for our daily Essential Question and response. Usually the answers, on some level are open ended responses without a right and wrong answer. We do a left and a right brained answer for each question. The left brain answer is generally organized, lists or definitions. On most days, the right side is completely left up to the children but it has to be a creative answer. In this manner, all students can express themselves in a way that is individually comfortable. Some children are naturally organized and thrive on lists and definitions. Other children need to have room to express themselves in more creative ways. By asking for both answers, I hope to allow everyone to show off strengths and strengthen weaknesses. Sometimes, I specifically ask for a drawing, song lyrics etc. These short videos cover the many standards we teach in chorus that are NOT simply performance based. We cover vocabulary, composition, theory, connections to the world, connections to the other arts, music appreciation and fun facts to name a few things. These journals were given to the students at the beginning of the year. We spent a day decorating, re-cycling and "altering" old journals into 'new" places to write!
This year, we have around 230 singers in chorus, it has grown from 180 in 2014! The classes are large and have had to change a little, especially due to class sizes. On most days, we head into the classroom, grab our "altered" journals, take a seat and watch a video for our daily Essential Question and response. Usually the answers, on some level are open ended responses without a right and wrong answer. We do a left and a right brained answer for each question. The left brain answer is generally organized, lists or definitions. On most days, the right side is completely left up to the children but it has to be a creative answer. In this manner, all students can express themselves in a way that is individually comfortable. Some children are naturally organized and thrive on lists and definitions. Other children need to have room to express themselves in more creative ways. By asking for both answers, I hope to allow everyone to show off strengths and strengthen weaknesses. Sometimes, I specifically ask for a drawing, song lyrics etc. These short videos cover the many standards we teach in chorus that are NOT simply performance based. We cover vocabulary, composition, theory, connections to the world, connections to the other arts, music appreciation and fun facts to name a few things. These journals were given to the students at the beginning of the year. We spent a day decorating, re-cycling and "altering" old journals into 'new" places to write!