scholarly journals Extending the Discussion: Introductory Improvisation Applications for Elementary Educators

2018 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-51
Author(s):  
Ben Torres
Keyword(s):  
Primary Grades ◽  
General Music ◽  
Elementary Educators ◽  
Review Of The Literature ◽  
Intermediate Grades ◽  
Practicing Teachers ◽  
Discussion Article ◽  
Elementary General Music

Based on the concepts introduced in Chandler’s article “Improvisation in Elementary General Music: A Review of the Literature” this “Extending the Discussion” article provides a rhythmic improvisation lesson for primary grades and a melodic improvisation lesson for intermediate grades to assist practicing teachers in pragmatically applying improvisation activities in their classes.

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

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.

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.

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.

Being the Change: Music Teachers’ Self-Reported Changes in Mindset and Practice

2020 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-26
Author(s):  
Karen Salvador ◽  
Allison Paetz ◽  
Abby Lewin-Zeigler
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Analysis ◽  
Teaching Practices ◽  
Classroom Practices ◽  
Music Teachers ◽  
Teaching Experience ◽  
Music Educators ◽  
General Music ◽  
Practicing Teachers ◽  
Years Of Teaching Experience ◽  
Inclusive Instruction

Music educators sometimes enter the workforce un(der)prepared to design and implement inclusive instruction. The purpose of this descriptive interview study was to explore practicing teachers’ self-reported changes in mindset and practice as they worked to become more inclusive. Participants ( N = 20) were music educators with between 1 and 17 years of teaching experience. All participants taught some combination of preK–12 students in general music, choir, band, orchestra, jazz, and other music classes in 10 states. We present qualitative analysis from two sets of interviews concerning self-reported changes in mindsets and teaching practices. We conclude with implications of this study for practicing teachers who wish to enact more equitable and just classroom practices.

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.

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