Dakeyan C. Graham
Accomplished Practice # 7: Human Development and Learning
Illustration # 3
Source of Illustration
MUE 4940
Professor
Dr. Charles R. Hoffer
Semester
Spring 2007
Type of Assignment
This human development and learning example stems from a lesson plan developed and used in teaching a group of fourth and fifth grade African Drummers. The students attending the class were engaged in a musical lesson evaluating rhythm, musical characteristic identification, part memorization, and echo and response ability.
Description of Assignment
A lesson was taught at Duval Elementary School in an effort to become more acquainted with teaching an actual class, as opposed to teaching ones peers and having them act as though they were in an elementary school; real life representative on-the-job training. The students of MUE 4940 are required to create lesson plans and teach as if they were the teachers in their various school placements. The students have the freedom to choose what subject matter and content they wish to cover in their lessons, as long as it adheres to the direction the music teacher wishes to go. The students then prepare visual aids and whatever other materials they need to be able to engage the class and teach as if they were the teachers in the class. This lesson plan demonstrates Accomplished Practice #7 in the following ways:
Selects developmentally appropriate material and activities
Uses a variety of activities to motivate students
Seeks to develop both musical skills and useful information about music
Develops activities that reflect current theories of musical development
Artistic Processes/Medium
This lesson plan reflects a responding activity because the students were required to interact with the teachers in various activities. The students were required to listen to various musical examples while maintaining a steady beat, discuss different aspects of rhythmic patterns that were being taught during the lesson, and identify various basic elements of music that are integral to a firm foundation of musical knowledge. They were also responsible for maintaining their individual part while the rest of the ensemble played various other rhythms. The students understand their individual role in the ensemble and the importance of part independence.
Rationale
This lesson plan is directed specifically towards the learning levels of sixth graders who are just beginning in music. The information provided for the children is aimed specifically on a comprehensible level that is easily understood by the students. The material covered in the class demonstrates Accomplished Practice #7 in that it is age appropriate, motivating, developmental in both the skills necessary to continue in music and useful in being able to identify and distinguish in the future, and reflective on the principles of modern Western music philosophy.
Illustration
From the moment the students entered the classroom to the time they left, they were engaged in various activities that were not only entertaining but educational as well. The activities were chosen and designed in such a way that the children would have no trouble understanding what was being asked of them or demonstrating what was required. For an in depth description of the activities, see Lesson Plan.
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