I think it’s safe to say that most kids do not look forward to studying classical music. This year, as I was planning my unit on classical music for my Music Appreciation class, I decided get a little creative and hi tech with my teaching methods. I came up with a few methods of using technology to enhance the lessons. They are all project based. My students love getting creative with projects, they love music, and they love technology. It’s a match made in heaven, so here’s what I came up with.MY SPACE PAGES
Have each student create a My Space page about an individual composer. Each student has to include a photo, mp3s of the composer’s music, information in the BIO Section, etc. If MySpace is banned at your school, try Virb.com.
BLOGS
Another idea is to have each student write a blog about a composer. They should write a few entries, and some of the assignments should include a post reviewing one of the composer’s pieces, a post about the composer’s life, and a post about an intresting story about the composer’s life.
PODCASTS
This is my personal fave, and if you have the equipment, your kids will have a lot of fun with it. The easiest way to do this is with a current Mac laptop that has Garageband and a built in microphone. It’s easiest if the students do this in groups. Have each group choose a different composer. Each group should write a script that includes the composer’s childhood, career, and family life bios. And of course, the composer’s music should be played.
Hope this helps. I’ll be interested in hearing what some of you are doing to make classical music more exciting for your students.
About the Author
When I was just a college Junior, I started teaching private guitar lessons in order to support myself. I was in a rock band, writing songs and performing on a regular basis, and I certainly did not plan on becoming a teacher. My plan was to graduate, get a job in social work, and just continue writing songs. Teaching surprised me. I ended up falling in love with the act of guiding a student from point a to point b. To watch someone go from knowing nothing about a subject, to simply performing in a recital, is such an awesome thing. I ended up scrapping that social work idea. I was doing more good as a teacher, minus the intense stress that most social workers go home with. I currently have a busy program that teaches private guitar, piano, and voice lessons in Los Angeles homes. I am also the creator of the music and service blog 38 Ways to Change the World Through Music.
by sujith — Sat Dec 22, 2007 @ 5:25 am
I wish, you would find 10 minutes to watch this video on you tube just about it!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bUeNO6U7tI
by Hellene — Wed Dec 26, 2007 @ 2:22 pm
by flametune — Thu Jan 10, 2008 @ 8:31 pm