Advertise on ChoralNet
Freshman Exploration Ideas Needed!!!Date: July 14, 2010
My administrator sent me an email the other day telling me, and all the other fine arts teachers in the building, that we would all have a section of Freshmen on a 4 1/2 weeks rotation all year. This, in theory, could be really cool and a great recruiting tool. But I am really not sure what I am going to do for only 4 1/2 weeks. Any help out there?!!?
Replies (2): Threaded | Chronological
John Howell on July 14, 2010 11:10am
Spencer: I really dislike the implication that this exploration policy--which must have been a real bear to schedule!--was apparently imposed from above without consultation with any of the teachers involved. That right there is a pretty good guarantee of failure, especially if you havne't been told what your goals are!!!!
But I think we need more information (as, obviously, do you!). Will you have students who are already active in music ensembles? Does this take the place of General Music classes? How large will these classes be? What, exactly, are the goals of this unprepared program? These are the questions that should IMMEDIATELY go to your "administrator," preferably in person in a meeting with every teacher in fine arts present.
This sounds very much like what is done here in middle school, although the two areas it seems to include are exploratory trades and exploratory athletics. I don't think it's been done in fine arts. But I have trouble picturing it in high school, when college prep AND trades training are both so very important.
And if you're still left hanging by your uncommunicative "administrator," figure out what YOU can do that will be the most valuable for the students in 4 1/2 weeks, and hopefully increase their interest, if not their knowledge, in music. Lord knows that the average teenager could use that!
All the best,
John
Spencer Lloyd on July 15, 2010 7:13am
Well, part of what you took away is correct. The admin did just decide to do this without any discussion with us. All freshmen will be required to take this class. If a student has already requested band, choir, art, then they are also placed in that respective class. When their rotation for choir comes around, they will just be able to be a 'helper' and hopefully aid in steering the class toward more involvement. We also are offering another general music class, called Electronic Music. There is only the band director and myself in the music department. There are two art people involved, and then rotc, and a magnet program. We DO have a meeting scheduled, but not until two days before classes start...unfortunately too late to change anything we don't like...
I am trying to be optimistic...hope this more info helped...any ideas?
|
Help support ChoralNet by buying via these links
|
