Planning the Online Music Course
I have finally reached one of the courses in the DLL program that I have really been looking forward to. Online Learning is one of the main components of my musical innovation plan, but I had no clue how to go about planning and creating the classroom. My school district uses Schoology in the older grade levels, but the elementary school teachers have not embraced it as much as we probably should. I am extremely excited to create and develop this course. The hardest part for me is narrowing down my focus. I have TONS of ideas that would be awesome in an online course or elementary music, but I need to start small, build a solid foundation, and then begin expanding to my other ideas.
My Innovation Plan is to create a blended learning environment in the elementary music classroom. My online course will be a small, but crucial part of this classroom design. Learners only visit my class one day a week for about 45 minutes of instruction time. My hope is that students will be able to access the course during station rotations and from home and help with information retention and student engagement.
Recorder 101:
Beginner Recorder for the 4th Grade Music Student
This course is designed to assist 4th grade music students through their journey in learning the recorder. My learners only visit music one time a week. It will share information about reading music on the staff (note names, rhythms, symbols, etc.), music history & appreciation, and how to play the recorder. This is not meant to replace the traditional music classroom, but to enhance learning and increase engagement. The outline below will include the first 5 weeks of online recorder lessons, however, I hope to continue the online learning experience well beyond the 5th week.
Big Harry Audacious Goal (BHAG): Learners will be able to use technology skills and live performance to show competency in music literacy and recorder playing.
Knowledge and Skills: (Taken from Coppell ISD 4th Grade Music Curriculum) These are the learning objectives that will be covered throughout the year. Some skills will just be introduced or experienced, while others will be practiced and assessed.
Students can read and reproduce 8-beat rhythm patterns that include a variety of note values.
Students can recognize known rhythmic and melodic elements in musical examples using appropriate vocabulary.
Students can sing/play melodic patterns with accurate intonation and rhythm.
Students perform various types of part work.
Students can justify musical preferences using musical vocabulary.
Students can interpret musical symbols through performance.
Recorder Online Course Outline:
Week 1
Introduction and Pre-Assessment:
Learners will have a chance to introduce themselves to myself and their classmates in an informal discussion board.
Learners will take a pre-assessment to determine what skills will need the most attention.
This assessment could possibly direct advanced learners to skip ahead in the course.
Determine a personal Smart Goal
Week 2
Note Reading Tutorial:
Video explaining how to read the notes on the treble clef staff.
FlipGrid activity to share knowledge of note naming with teacher and peers.
Introduction to the Recorder:
History of the Recorder
Digital Breakout
Week 3:
"Hot Cross Buns"
Video Tutorial
Learners submit videos to FlipGrid and give feedback to at least 2 peers.
Rhythm Reading Practice:
Rhythm Wars or another video or online practice activity.
Note Reading Help: (If needed)
Video, Website with note-reading game
Week 4:
Listening & Reflection Activity:
Compare and contrast a recorder performance. Submit to FlipGrid in any format the learner desires.
"Gently Sleep"
Video Tutorial
Learners submit videos to FlipGrid and give feedback to at least 2 peers.
Week 5:
"Merrily We Roll Along"
Video Tutorial
Learners submit videos to FlipGrid and give feedback to at least 2 peers.
Introduce the Recorder Repair Shop
Learners of all levels can create a help video about anything related playing recorder. It can be as simple as how to put it together or how to play some of our most difficult pieces.
Learners will submit videos or other media to a "Repair Shop" FlipGrid that can be accessed by all recorder students, possibly from other schools as well.
Week 6-7:
Composition Project 1
Learners will use a pre-made template to begin their first recorder composition using the notes and rhythms they have learned up to this point.
Practice playing the composition, record performance, and share with the class.
Leave feedback for at least 2 classmates.
Week 8:
"It's Raining"
Video Tutorial
Learners submit videos to FlipGrid and give feedback to at least 2 peers.
Music Literacy Digital BreakOut
Weeks 9 -- ?
I'd like to continue these units for at least 9 more weeks. This will give plenty of lessons for my advanced learners to work ahead, but still give us time to progress as a class.