School's out

It has been some time since I have blog. Now that school is out I will be concentration on the summer and having a good time. I still have some work to do on my portfolio. I plan to finish it this week and turn it in. I do not how well I've done, but I think that I have completed it as best I can and placed information that I hope to be relevant to what I learned in the class. As much I want to enjoy myself this summer and try to take my mind off of school, there will always be various events that will get me to think about some of the lessons I learned in the class.
The BP oil spill has brought many of the senses that Daniel Pink wrote about. Drama of the spill itself, the emphathy for the people involved, symphony of working or not working to complete the capping of the well. There is no way to get around what we have learned in the class. I guess now I will focus on how the company will try and recover from this devestation and develope ways to renew people's trust.
The types of commercials and public relations that will be used to get themselves back on track will be interesting to see. While traveling to and from Savannah this weekend, I couldn't help notice all the BP signs at differents exits. When I did stop for gas I noticed the empty BP stations. Emphaty played also in the fact that those people working for the company have to be unwilling part of the blame game.

Intonation

Today my students were videoed working on the open strings of their violins. Basicially I wanted to secure some of the findings on my action research. The students worked on the d and a strings and eventually I added the first and second fingers on the d and a. I tried placing their fingers in the right position and verbally directing their positions. Some of performed well placing their fingers in the right place even without the tape. Next year I want to use various techniques to try and develope intonation with the beginners. I feel with some thought and innovation and suggestions from my collegues, we can get students to play in tune on the elementary level leading on to the middle and high school level. One more event I would like to mention. I listened to the kindergarten students at D.H. Stanton sing the songs " Lean On Me" and " I Believe I Can Fly" the sound quality and intonation was excellent. Mr. Strictland had them sounding better than some fifth grade choruses. This only confirms my belief that students can learn intonation in the elementary level.

Thursday I attended the first rehearsal for the 2nd annual String Fling. The rehearsal was well attended for the first rehearsal. I was glad to see some of my parents and students there. Ms. Kane conducted the rehearsal and I along with my students learn a lot from her teaching technique. Bowing, intonation, dynamics were stressed and I was able to emphazsize each one during my lesson the following day. The students went through the scale using the round and we talked about and played dynamics on our instruments. It was a very interesting rehearsal. I will end my post for now. My computer battery is low and I do not want to loose this post

Today I was able to work with my students for the upcoming String Fling coming in May. the students at Thomasville have come a long was for the first year. They are eager to play. I have become more aware of intonation with my students and I am using some techniques Dr. Rensburg suggested in my lessons. Some of the students are placing their fingers in the correct tape and area of the fingerboard without corrections from me. Also behavior and confidence is increasing. Next year will bring new changes throughout the system in regard to the overall curriculum. I will have to see how all this will affect music in general.

As far as my research is concerned, I think I have some results that will help me next year. I plan to start as soon as possible and get my students playing and listening more.

Class Musical Project

I have just listened to the recording we made last Saturday. It was very interesting and dynamic. After listening I commented that it was already long enough for me and basically making it any longer we would have to turn it into a full compostion. The ideas and sounds we incorporated for this piece come together dramatically. It reminded me of the music from 2001 Space Odyssey.

As for my action research, I think it is coming together. Following Dr Rensburg suggestions not to get too complex in my research. This research project will give me something to consider for next year.

I enjoyed yesterday's classes very much. Mrs. Terry introduction was very informative. I know the class is a lot of work and time but I am now just beginning to see some things that can help me not only in my string classes but with the community band, chorus and church. I am seeing some things that can make me a better musician even after all these years. After reading these two books there I can see what needs to be done in the arts to make in workable in the schools and community. This is more than just a class and it is not like a class is some respects. We have ownership is the success of this project.

The session with Dr. Rensburg was a good hour or more but it was still too short. We were able to get a handle on the action research project. I myself was rather nervous about the direction I was heading and if what I was doing had any validty. With the help of Dr. Rensburg and members of the class, I was able see clearly the direction I needed to go to complete my project. In any case I will be posting my results and seeking further comments. The second session with Mrs. Colbert is now pretty much in completion for our class project. We worked out our basic ideas for our composition so we are now ready for the completion. Writing down our ideas and having them visualized in music is exciting. You could see the interaction and reaction during the preparation and after the performance. This is something that can be done in the classroon to enhance the arts in the schools. I enjoyed yesterday's class.

Thank goodness for spring break. It is Wednesday and the week is halfway over. I made a video of my class lesson the week before. I used my beginning class for my video. There were some methods I wanted to use with the students to see if they would work. I used my brother's video camera and I need to copy it on to a DVD when I get back. I am still compiling the data on my research. The research is not extensive but I hope it will show some valid conclusion based on the topic I chose.

The students are working on the music for the String Fling. I am having each student write the names of the notes to make sure they know what they are playing. I do have some who could play in the middle school orchestra. When I return I will try and get them ready for that music. They seem excited and ready to play. The String Fling is a great diversion from the routine of getting ready for this test. They definitely need an outlet from what is going these days. Everyone seems to be cautious about the upcoming CRCT. I will be glad when this is over.