Improvisational Practices in Elementary General Music Classrooms

2013 ◽  
Vol 61 (4) ◽  
pp. 379-395 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa M. Gruenhagen ◽  
Rachel Whitcomb
Keyword(s):  
Music Educators ◽  
General Music ◽  
Musical Skills ◽  
Percussion Instruments ◽  
Elementary General Music ◽  
Pitched Percussion ◽  
Musical Understanding ◽  
Ongoing Support ◽  
Music Classrooms

Despite historic and ongoing support for the inclusion of improvisation in the elementary general music curriculum, music educators consistently report challenges with implementation of improvisational activities in their classes. This study was designed to examine (a) the extent to which improvisational activities were occurring in the participants’ elementary general music classrooms, (b) the nature of these improvisational activities, and (c) participants’ perceptions of the quality of their students’ improvisations. The most common improvisational activities reported by these teachers were question-and-answer singing, improvising on unpitched and pitched percussion instruments, and improvising rhythmic patterns using instruments. Analysis of their reflections on these activities revealed three broad themes: (a) process, practice, and experience, (b) sequencing, scaffolding, and modeling in instruction; and (c) collaboration, reflection, and creation. These teachers stated they were most interested in the quality of the improvisational process rather than with the product and indicated that sequencing was crucial in the instruction of improvisation. While some put less importance and priority on improvisation, the majority perceived it as necessary to the development of students’ musical skills, as an important way for students to show musical understanding, and as an empowering creative process that produces independent thinkers and musicians.

Characteristics of Early Childhood and Elementary General Music Methods Coursework for Preservice Music Teachers

2021 ◽  
pp. 105708372110245
Author(s):  
Karen Salvador ◽  
Mara E. Culp
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Teacher Candidates ◽  
Music Teachers ◽  
Music Educators ◽  
Music Teacher ◽  
Teacher Education Programs ◽  
General Music ◽  
Music Teacher Education ◽  
Music Methods ◽  
Elementary General Music

Although many music teacher candidates begin university studies planning to teach secondary ensembles, most will ultimately be certified to teach younger children and may be called to do so. The purpose of this study was to examine how music teacher education programs prepare preservice music educators to teach music to children from birth through elementary school through coursework. We emailed survey invitations to representatives from 512 institutions accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music to prepare music educators. We received 134 usable responses (response rate = 26%). Nearly all respondents offered elementary general music methods (EGMM), and over three quarters required EGMM for all students in initial licensure programs. Only about one in ten responding institutions offered early childhood music methods (ECMM). We describe findings on EGMM and ECMM course structures, content, and materials as well as the employment status, degree background, and other qualifications of the person who typically taught this coursework

Teaching the Korean Folk Song (Arirang) Through Performing, Creating, and Responding

2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 16-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hyesoo Yoo ◽  
Sangmi Kang
Keyword(s):  
Music Teachers ◽  
Music Educators ◽  
Folk Songs ◽  
Folk Song ◽  
Upper Elementary ◽  
Depth Information ◽  
General Music ◽  
Comprehensive Musicianship ◽  
Music Standards ◽  
Music Classrooms

This article introduces a pedagogical approach to teaching one of the renowned Korean folk songs ( Arirang) based on the comprehensive musicianship approach and the 2014 Music Standards (competencies in performing, creating, and responding to music). The authors provide in-depth information for music educators to help their students achieve learning outcomes for the skill, knowledge, and affect domains of the Korean folk song ( Arirang). Furthermore, the authors offer music lessons for Arirang in a variety of ways that are appropriate for upper elementary and secondary general music classrooms, including performing, creating, and responding to the music. An educational website that includes exemplary lesson plans, videos, and worksheets is also provided to help music teachers obtain content and pedagogical knowledge of Arirang.

Integrating Social-Emotional Learning Into Our “New Normal” Teaching Elementary General Music

2020 ◽  
pp. 104837132096137
Author(s):  
Taryn Raschdorf ◽  
Brittany Nixon May ◽  
Amie Searcy
Keyword(s):  
Music Teachers ◽  
Social Emotional Learning ◽  
Music Educators ◽  
Emotional Learning ◽  
General Music ◽  
Music Curriculum ◽  
Social Emotional ◽  
Building Relationships ◽  
Music Classroom ◽  
Elementary General Music

As social-emotional learning (SEL) initiatives are being adopted by many states and school districts, many music teachers have been actively and successfully integrating SEL into their elementary general music curriculum. Whether teaching in person or remotely music educators can create an environment conducive to SEL by practicing mindfulness, building relationships with and between students, encouraging family music engagement, and engaging in inclusive music activities. In this column, you will find resources and ideas about SEL, discover how it looks and functions in the music classroom (virtual or not), and hear from music educators who currently incorporate SEL in their teaching.

At the intersection of belief and practice: A mixed-methods study of elementary general music educator praxis

2021 ◽  
pp. 030573562110506
Author(s):  
Karen Salvador ◽  
Christina Svec ◽  
Jessica Glaser ◽  
Amy Sierzega ◽  
Alice Broadway
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Teaching Practices ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Linear Models ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Music Educators ◽  
General Music ◽  
Music Teaching ◽  
Time Sampling ◽  
Elementary General Music

Recent research describing the practices of specialist elementary general music teachers and students is limited, and few research studies specifically examine how practicing music educators think about their music teaching practices. In this mixed-methods case study, we bridged these areas of research by examining music educators’ expressed beliefs about music teaching and learning in light of descriptive analysis and hierarchical linear models (HLM) of time sampling data of their teaching practices in elementary music classrooms. Participants ( N = 7) shared beliefs that everyone is musical and that music educators must therefore create an environment in which children develop their musicianship by singing, moving, and playing. Time sampling data indicated that teachers spent most of their time talking, while students spent most of their time sitting still and silent. Children in younger grades spent significantly more time in movement activities than those in older grades. HLM analyses provided predictive implications for teachers’ use of singing and movement. In this article, we present findings from qualitative analysis of planning artifacts, reflections, and interviews and from HLM of time sampling data, and discuss potential meanings for music teaching and music teacher education.

Engaged Listening Experiences: A World Music Sampler

2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 14-20
Author(s):  
Hyesoo Yoo ◽  
Sangmi Kang ◽  
Camilo I. Leal ◽  
Abbey Chokera
Keyword(s):  
Culturally Diverse ◽  
Music Teachers ◽  
Music Educators ◽  
World Music ◽  
Upper Elementary ◽  
General Music ◽  
Listening Skills ◽  
Listening Strategies ◽  
Music Classrooms ◽  
The U.S

As the U.S. population has become significantly more culturally diverse, many music educators have acknowledged the necessity to implement culturally diverse musics in music curricula. One of the challenges in teaching culturally diverse musics is designing a balance between performing-based activities and other activities such as listening, improvising, and composing activities. Despite the importance of developing students’ listening skills, listening lessons are still relatively deficient within the context of world musics. Therefore, we provide general music teachers with engaged listening strategies for implementing world music lessons in music classrooms. The lessons provided in this article are appropriate for upper elementary and secondary general music classrooms.

Promoting Gender Inclusivity in General Music: Considerations for Music Listening

2021 ◽  
pp. 104837132110160
Author(s):  
Tiger Robison ◽  
Mara E. Culp
Keyword(s):  
Student Learning ◽  
Music Teachers ◽  
Music Listening ◽  
General Music ◽  
Listening Skills ◽  
Music Classrooms ◽  
Improve Student Learning

General music teachers can promote gender inclusivity in music classrooms through music listening activities. Helping all students feel included and honored could improve student learning and foster continued and diversified music listening in school and beyond. The purpose of this article, the first of three about gender inclusivity in general music, is to help music teachers create inclusive general music experiences to support all students during music listening activities. By knowing learners as individuals, teachers can help all students feel valued in music classrooms, which may serve to deepen and extend their music listening skills and preferences.

Elementary General Music Performances and Teachers’ Perceptions of Stress

2021 ◽  
pp. 875512332110104
Author(s):  
Jennifer Potter
Keyword(s):  
Time Management ◽  
Music Teachers ◽  
Management Control ◽  
Elementary Music ◽  
General Music ◽  
Teachers Perceptions ◽  
Time Control ◽  
Elementary General Music ◽  
And Performance ◽  
The Impact

The purpose of investigation was to examine the perceptions of elementary music teachers concerning the preparation of elementary music performances and the impact on their perceived stress. Participants were practicing elementary general music teachers ( N = 3) representing three different elementary schools from a metropolitan area in the Midwest. All participants were interviewed twice over a period of two months via Zoom. Data were analyzed through an open coding process (Gibbs, 2007), which yielded three themes: time management, control, and isolation. Facets of time management included strategic planning, organizational techniques, and instructional time; control concerned scheduling, repertoire selection, equipment, and performance venues; and isolation pertained to relationships with colleagues and administrators and an overwhelming amount of responsibility. These findings indicate the importance of acknowledging various stressors affecting music educators and how those might positively and negatively affect teachers and students.

Scott Joplin: A Guide for Music Educators Part III—Ragtime Spaces

2021 ◽  
pp. 104837132110344
Author(s):  
Kendra Kay Friar
Keyword(s):  
Music Education ◽  
Music Educators ◽  
General Music ◽  
Racial Uplift ◽  
Student Activities ◽  
Cultural Contexts ◽  
Cultural Globalization ◽  
Music Standards ◽  
Entrepreneurial Activities ◽  
K 12

Scott Joplin was an African American composer and pianist of singular merit and influence. This article is the final entry in a three-part series considering the biographical, artistic, and cultural contexts of Joplin’s life and work and their use in K–12 general music education. “Ragtime Spaces” focuses on cultural globalization and the modernist entertainment aesthetic which supported Joplin’s work. Scott Joplin’s creative and entrepreneurial activities embodied humanism, racial uplift, and craftsmanship at a time when society became increasingly racially segregated and dehumanized. The discussion is followed by suggested student activities written in accordance with National Association for Music Education’s 2014 National Music Standards.

Research-to-Resource: Developing a Culturally Responsive Mind-Set in Elementary General Music

2018 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 11-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacqueline Kelly-McHale
Keyword(s):  
Culturally Responsive ◽  
Community Context ◽  
General Music ◽  
Practical Applications ◽  
Music Classroom ◽  
School Teaching ◽  
Elementary General Music ◽  
Cultural Responsivity ◽  
Mind Set ◽  
Context Specific

The terms culturally responsive teaching and culturally responsive pedagogy have become more common in the vernacular of public-school teaching. However, practical applications of cultural responsivity are not often clearly presented due to the nature of being responsive. Responsivity requires knowledge of students and community (context) specific to each teaching context. Content and materials should then be derived from the development of the contextual understanding. This is why presenting a tool box of culturally responsive practices is not possible when seeking to become more culturally responsive in the classroom. This article seeks to situate cultural responsivity as a mind-set as opposed to an approach or method within the elementary general music classroom. Practical steps that can be taken toward the development of this mind-set are then presented with a focus on context and content.

scholarly journals Volunteers in a biography project with palliative care patients – a feasibility study

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michaela Hesse ◽  
Simon Forstmeier ◽  
Henning Cuhls ◽  
Lukas Radbruch
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Advanced Training ◽  
Staff Time ◽  
Negative Experiences ◽  
Hospice Volunteers ◽  
Vulnerable Patients ◽  
Time And Energy ◽  
Ongoing Support

Abstract Background Increasing the quality of life with short interventions for vulnerable patients is one of the objectives of palliative care. Biographical approaches are used in a range of different interventions which may require considerable resources of staff time and energy. This study evaluated the feasibility of training hospice volunteers in biographical interviews of patients confronted with a life-limiting disease. For the purpose of this study, we evaluated resources such as time needed for training, coordination and supervision, outcome such as completion of the intervention in appropriate time and risks such as causing distress in patients or volunteers as major determinants of feasibility. Methods Nine volunteers from a hospice service attended an advanced training with an introduction to palliative care, biography work, interview techniques, transcribing and writing. Volunteers interviewed a patient and developed a written narrative from the interview. Volunteers completed a questionnaire before training and were interviewed at the end of the project. The interviews were audiotaped, transcribed, and evaluated using descriptive and qualitative content analysis. Results Patients provided positive feedback from the intervention. Volunteers felt that their involvement was personally rewarding and were moved by the courage and confidence of the patients. There were no systematic problems or negative experiences reported neither by volunteers nor by patients. Conclusions We found the use of volunteers for biography work with patients in palliative care feasible and effective in this study. Volunteers needed supervision and ongoing support in providing this intervention.

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