Big Kid Conference

My mind is ready to EXPLODE in the best way possible!

Right now, it's testing week/parent teacher conferences...surprise! I had no idea that this meant minimal classroom time for me, as we have canceled all rehearsals in order to comply with the policies, and only a handful of teachers are requesting general music this week.

So, I'm getting caught up on all kinds of things like grading, piano practice, and sending home lovely emails to parents about their glorious children.

Yesterday, however, I had the good fortune of being able to attend the Schools of the Future conference here in Honolulu. One of the amazing teachers at the school told me that I should go because she goes every year and we want to get some new blood in the mix. This particular teacher is so, so good to me, and so supportive. She is too kind.

Anyway, I got to see many of my teachers from the Priory, who I absolutely adore! First up was the keynote speaker, and I was immediately blown away and inspired. That would've been enough to send me home thinking all night, except for the fact that it was only ten am! The whole day was filled with many useful ideas, and I almost called it quits, as many were, at 3:30pm. However, as I was in my way out, I passed a session on the chaotic classroom and project-based learning, which I want to incorporate into every general music class next semester, so I just couldn't pass it up. I stayed, and I'm so glad that I did. The one downside to the day is that I have so many ideas and notes, and haven't had any time to process it. Today, however, between the end of school and the beginning of my one and only conference, I can sit down and reflect.

One idea that I am going to implement as soon as next week is video-recorded comments in my literature students' papers. Instead of handing back papers that are covered in red ink, providing students with the chance to hear my voice and to process my explanations for certain marks or comments will humanize this event. My students write pretty well, but I loooooove to mark up their papers, usually with encouraging comments and helpful hints. I see them flip straight to their grade when they get their paper back, and file away the paper, which is filled with helpful comments. If I can humanize that event and utilize technology to improve a process that happens once or twice a week, it will actually save me time, save trees, and help the students.

Amazing.

We need to use technology to improve already-great teaching and humanize our moments together, not to just fancy up a classroom. I can't say that the other ideas are as clear-cut, but they're stewing in my brain. For example, band and orchestra are taught in a certain way, and have always been taught that way. However, I would like to try something different. The strings groups seem pretty content, but I can't help but feel that my band kids are plodding along, but not getting as much out of practicing and rehearsals, nor enjoying it as much, as they could be. I might try flipping the classroom with my band classes and posting parts, lectures, and information online, and turning rehearsal into a chance for them to practice. In a way, band is already flipped - kids are supposed to review music outside of class first, practice, and come prepared to rehearse. However, it's not working out that way. Thankfully, I have a very, very supportive principal who gave me the go-ahead to try something new. The nice thing about no expectations for the instrumental programs is that the possibilities are endless. I need to stew this one over, discuss it with the students, and figure out how to proceed. On one hand, I've been implementing a lot of new procedures and I don't want to overwhelm the students. On the other hand, this is my time to try things, to get crazy, and to get messy - nothing is impossible at this point, and now is the time to try, make mistakes, and find out what works for these students at this school.

So what's the catch? It feels weird. I'm all for the new wave of teaching and learning and for trying experimental methods. However, as open-minded as I am, I myself was taught in older, more rigor-based settings. The keynote speaker had us fold our hands the opposite way (my right thumb is usually on top, so I switched to my left thumb on top) and describe the feeling. It was weird. Why? Because I've been doing it another way for twenty-two years. That feeling of comfort just takes time, and next time we encounter a teacher slow to change,it is because they are feeling this way. That helped me to be slightly more comfortable with change (and having an amazing principal helps a ton), but this is still uncharted territory, especially for band and orchestra, and it will take me a while to feel comfortable as I develop my philosophy of (music) education.

Thoughts? I'm open!