I. Curricular Framework

Concept:

Self-Discipline

Essential Question:

To what advantage is having the students play an important role in planning their next presentation

Bridge:

Comparisons

Content:

Rehearsal and Listening Techniques

Outcomes:

II. Standards Aligned

III. Instruction and Assessment

1. Connect: Connecting to the Concept Experientially

Objective: That the students will develop a deeper awareness of the need for more practice at home on their instruments.

Activity: On the first day of band, the teacher will place a tape recorder in front of the class with the speakers facing the students. Hand them copies of a medium/hard piece of music with which they are unfamiliar: an energetic piece. The band will do a quick warm-up. The teacher will then have the band play the unfamiliar piece from beginning to end, while s/he tapes the attempt. The students will then listen to themselves on tape. Next they will hear the tape of another middle school band playing the same piece well.

Assessment: Quality of student participation.

2. Attend: Attending to the Connection

Objective: That students become aware of how to contrast two different renditions of the same piece for polish and professionalism.

Activity: The teacher will conduct a class discussion covering the following topics: The good characteristics of each tape (they must identify what they did do well); the students' general feelings as they listened to the two bands; the potential of middle school students for playing an instrument, and what it takes to play well.

Assessment: Quality of the discussion and conclusions reached.

Assessment, Phase One, Level of Engagement, Fascination:

3. Image: Creating a Mental Picture

Objective: To integrate personal listening with analysis and conceptual development.

Activity: Using the chalkboard, the teacher makes two columns: one is headed "Our Band," the other is headed, "Their Band." The students will analyze the tapes using the following procedure:
1. Determine differences in the two bands in specific sections of the music.
2. Indicate dynamic changes, rhythmic differences, and basic texture variations.
3. Analyze the intent of the composer in each section of the piece.
4. Using the piece as an example, the teacher will make sure the students comprehend note values and their dynamics.

Assessment: The students will rehearse the piece in sections demonstrating improvement, comprehension of note values, and the dynamics.

Assessment, Phase Two, Seeing the Big Picture:

4. Inform: Receiving Facts & Knowledge

Objective: To integrate personal listening with analysis and conceptual development.

Activity: Continuation of activities begun in Quadrant Two Right Mode. NOTE: The method used by Mr. Maginn in this quadrant is whole brained, a simultaneous right/left approach. This combination seems to work very well in this lesson.

Assessment: The students will continue to rehearse the piece in sections demonstrating improvement, comprehension of note values, and the dynamics. Teacher gives written quiz covering these topics taught.

Assessment, Phase Three, Success with Acquiring Knowledge:

5. Practice: Developing Skills

Objective: The students master the music in the correct style with proper dynamics and rhythm.

Activity: During the week's lessons, the teacher coaches the students in groups of four and five.

Assessment: Student progress and eagerness during lessons.

Assessment, Phase Four, Success with Acquiring Skills:

6. Extend: Extending Learning to the Outside World

Objective: That students learn to manage their practice time. That students experience their own individual improvement over time.

Activity: Students will contract daily practice time with the teacher. Students will be required to tape record their playing at home at the beginning of their practice, and retape at the end of their time. Teacher will give input as to improvement, and ask students to comment on the same.

Assessment: Commitment to practice contracts and personal improvement.

7. Refine: Refining the Extension

Objective: That students will again analyze the progress the entire band has made in mastering the piece.

Activity: The teacher will once again record the band playing the entire piece. Students will then listen to the "pre" and the "post" tapes. Students will analyze the band's improvement. The teacher will emphasize the obvious connection between individual improvement and the entire band's improvement.

Assessment: Quality of final tape and student contribution to discussion and analysis.

8. Perform: Creative Manifestation of Material Learned

Objective: That the students experience the presentation of their music in a concert setting. That students plan their next concert based on their expertise.

Activity: The students will present their band in concert. (This presentation could also be recorded.) And the students will discuss the level of challenge they feel they can handle for their next concert.

Assessment: The concert performance and the level of challenge the students choose.

Assessment, Phase Five,Performance, Creative Use of Material Learned: