Dear Collegiate Member,
In this issue, you will find this month’s feature article, “Journaling: A Student Teacher’s Lifeline,” by Norma McClellan. You’ll also learn about what’s going on around MENC, get news and announcements, and find interesting opportunities. Brand-new this year, Collegiate Specialty Items for sale! Check out the new pin, pens, and fleece blankets designed with the collegiate student in mind.
As always, if you have comments, questions, or would like to share your chapter’s activities or recruitment strategies with us for publication in a future issue, e-mail Shauna Leavitt.
Journaling: A Student Teacher’s Lifeline
by Norma McClellan
Norma McClellan, Ph.D., is Professor of Music Education and former Coordinator of Music Education at Missouri State University where she specializes in music teacher preparation. Dr. McClellan has served as faculty advisor to the MSU CMENC chapter for 15 years and is past Southwest Division CMENC chair as well as past CMENC chair for Missouri Music Educators Association. A former music teacher in Springfield public schools, Dr. McClellan has directed church children’s choirs for over 40 years. She is the recipient of several teaching awards as well as numerous grants. She has published studies related to children’s music skills and effective teaching practices in several professional music journals. She serves on the editorial board of Missouri Journal of Research in Music Education and is a past chair of the Research Interest Group for the American Orff-Schulwerk Association. She was the CMENC keynote speaker for the Southwestern Division Symposium in Dallas, TX, in June of 2009.
The adage “learn from your mistakes” propels many individuals into productive, successful lives and prevents the unproductive cycle of repeating errors. A lengthened version of the adage for educators might read, “Learn from your mistakes, your surroundings, your students, your coworkers …” That list could get pretty lengthy, but the point is: observe, experience, and adjust! In 1803, noted educator and psychologist Donald Schon coined the term “reflective practice” for such behaviors. The process involves studying our own teaching methods and determining what best facilitates students’ learning.
Keeping a written account of teaching experiences provides a thread of continuity for measuring progress. Journaling can be a way of expressing frustration, celebrating success, describing teaching strategies that worked or failed, and pondering adjustments for future lessons. Typically, preservice teachers learn about journaling early in their teacher preparation courses and continue to practice it throughout their student teaching assignment.
The purposes of journal writing include*
- To encourage active rather than passive classroom observation by the student teacher
- To ensure that the student teacher observes and records information about teaching techniques, student behaviors, students’ individual differences, and routine procedures for future reference
- To reinforce both effective and ineffective techniques and teaching procedures
- To encourage student teachers to record suggestions and comments from supervising teachers
- To encourage student teachers to actively evaluate their own techniques and classroom behaviors
*From the Missouri State University Student Teaching Handbook, authored by supervisors in the Field Experiences Department of the School of Teacher Education.
Observation skills are essential for preservice teachers to absorb the dynamics of the classroom environment. According to the book Prelude to Music Education (2003), “ ... active engagement of all sensory modalities—hearing, seeing, feeling and smelling is necessary so that the observer is able to gather information about the classroom that is as holistic as possible” (Erwin, Edwards, Kerchner, & Knight, 2003, p. 8). Student teachers must observe not only the model teacher, but also the classroom setup and the students’ behaviors and responses. Erwin points out the following specific facets to focus on while observing
- Physical arrangement of the classroom, including lighting and ventilation.
- Verbal interactions between students and teacher, including quotes.
- Vocal expression and inflection used by the teacher.
- Nonverbal communication between students and teacher; facial and body expression, including use of the hands.
- Teacher mobility—moving about the room.
- Modeling—demonstration of a specific skill or desirable result.
- Musical content—composing, improvising, singing, playing, listening, moving, reading, analyzing, or critiquing.
Effective and ineffective teaching techniques modeled by the cooperating teacher should be recorded and explained in your reflective journal. The description provides you, the prospective teacher, with a memory prompt for application (or avoidance) of similar techniques during your own teaching. Noting the instructor’s use of questioning, demonstration, verbal imagery, visuals, and the general pacing of activities will help you plan for successful teaching. Although you should be yourself and not attempt to be a clone of your cooperating teacher, you shouldn’t have to reinvent the wheel, either. You can capitalize on and profit from your model teacher’s experience.
Suggestions and comments from supervisors provide you with valuable feedback about your teaching skill and growth. Thoughtful analysis of written feedback and verbal coaching from your cooperating teacher will enhance your development. Use the teacher’s comments and your reflection to guide future lesson planning. This information can help you avoid problems and improve your technique, so analyze and, if appropriate, implement any useful suggestions you receive or discover.
Active self-evaluation should be documented in your reflective journal so that it becomes a measurement of your growth and progress. Journaling usually begins in your education classes, and for highly effective music educators, it continues for a lifetime. The habit of recording your personal teaching experiences and thoughtfully examining the “who, what, why, when, where, and how” of those experiences may be your most effective teaching tool and ultimately, life skill. Assessment is a basic component of every lesson plan. Your reflection on that assessment and evaluation of what goals were met during a lesson is journal-worthy, whether it’s formal or informal, student-focused or teacher-focused. You may suggest adjustments for future lessons. Such adjustments may include but are not limited to altering your lesson objectives, adding or deleting certain activities, changing the physical arrangement of your room, and/or modifying your assessment strategies.
Reflective journals can provide an objective record of some of our teaching experiences. Teachers must learn to notice and monitor both learning and a myriad of accompanying behaviors. We improve when we identify areas of weakness or strength and adjust to eliminate or increase specific behaviors. Journals are one of the tools to help us identify where adjustments need to be made.
2009-10 Chapter of Excellence
Do you want your Collegiate chapter to be recognized on a national level? Send in your application for Chapter of Excellence. The Chapter of Excellence Recognition was developed to distinguish chapters for their successful music programs, professional development projects, recruitment techniques, and service projects. This recognition is conferred annually and is based on the significant contributions made by the chapter to the development of the MENC Collegiate membership program at its institution between January 1, 2009 and the Chapter of Excellence entry deadline of December 15, 2009.
Chapters submit a description and a Chapter of Excellence Application for each chapter activity to be considered. Activities completed between January 1 and the Chapter of Excellence deadline of December 15 are eligible for Chapter of Excellence Recognition. A committee made up of sitting MENC Collegiate National and Divisional chairs will select the Chapter of Excellence entries to be recognized.
New! Collegiate Specialty Items …
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- Blanket: Light gray, 50 x 60 inches machine washable fleece. MENC Collegiate logo in black and white stitching. #8055. $20.00/$15.00 MENC members
- Pen/Highlighter: Dual ended with black ink and yellow highlighter. Silver pen with black MENC collegiate logo. #8057. $1.60/$1.20 MENC members
- Lapel Pin: ¾” steel pin with dark and light blue enamel. #8056. $1.60/$1.20 MENC members
To order: Call 1-800-828-0229 or visit www.menc.org.
Member Benefit Spotlight
Weekly Article--each week a short article is posted on the Future Teacher section of MENC’s Web site. These articles discuss topics of special concern to future educators, such as job search tips, student teaching suggestions, and help with classroom issues such as discipline. To read current and past articles, go to the Future Teachers Section Archives.
Here is a small sample of some past articles:
What Would You Do? Part 1
What Would You Do? Part 2
What Would You Do? Part 3
Current News and Announcements
2010 BMI John Lennon Songwriting Program
The 2010 BMI John Lennon Songwriting Program offers one $10,000 scholarship and two $5,000 scholarships. This scholarship is awarded to the best original composition for vocal-instrumental performance with the broadest popular appeal. Open only to current students or recent alumnus/alumna at any institution with an active MENC Collegiate chapter. Students may enter by submitting entries to the campus Collegiate Chapter advisor.
The deadline to submit entries to your campus MENC Collegiate chapter advisor is December 1, 2009. Below are the necessary forms for 2010.
If you have any questions, please e-mail Shauna Leavitt.
2010 Guild of Musicians Young Composer’s Award
The Guild of Temple Musicians is proud to announce the details for its 2010 annual Young Composer's Award. Please read the flyer for details on this year’s requirements and submission protocol. This Annual award helps promote and encourage musical works of young Jewish composers. It is a vital addition towards enriching and preserving a vibrant musical tradition.
2010 Biennial Music Educators National Conference
Join us March 25-27, 2010, in Anaheim, California, for this wonderful event! We are in the process of including at least two days of workshops and sessions specifically for collegiate members. For registration and housing information, visit 2010 Music Educators National Conference.
2010 Music Education Week in Washington
June 23-29, 2010 – Washington, DC
Music Education Week in Washington is a new annual event created by MENC at the direction of the MENC National Executive Board. It is built around a new format, different from that of past national biennial conferences. This format is designed to provide members with opportunities for music education advocacy, intensive professional development, and performances in a destination location on an annual basis, and during the summer instead of the school year. Watch MENC’s Web site for program details.
Announcing Collegiate Student Division Representatives for 2009-2010
We are pleased to announce the results of the nominations for Collegiate Student Division Representatives. Congratulations! They are as follows:
Eastern Division - Christine Hadfield
North Central Division - Rachel Gasper
Northwest Division - Christina Hardman
Southern Division - William Johnson
Southwest Division - Micah Gooden
Western Division - Rachel Knight
These students will attend the National Collegiate Advisory Council in Anaheim, CA, in March 2010.
New Book
TIPS: The First Weeks of Middle School Chorus
By Patrick K. Freer
This new publication by Patrick K. Freer offers a simple, concise guide for those entering the realm of teaching middle school chorus. The book is full of useful hands-on strategies for teachers new to working with middle school choirs or those seeking advice on improving effectiveness. For more information, and to order, read the press release. Published by MENC and Rowman & Littlefield Education (RLE). MENC members receive a 25% discount on purchases with the code MENC25.
November Poll: Narrowing Down the News Topics
Each month, MENC asks its members for their input on current issues and trends in music education. This month’s question is:
In September, MENC News sponsored a short poll asking members what kind of stories they would most like to see in the news pages of Teaching Music and Music Educators Journals, as well as on-line. The categories listed below were the most popular.
Please help us narrow this down further and pick the ONE topic that you would MOST like to see written about in MENC news pages.
- Advocating for music education (how, what others are doing)
- Grant opportunities (where to find)
- Taking music education into communities (how, what others are doing)
- Music education in the broader context of education
- Music Education research (what’s new)
- Upcoming MENC events
- MENC competitions
- Teacher success stories
- OTHER: write in
November Monthly Special
Music! Just Imagine…
The NEW 2010 Music In Our Schools Month® Sticky Note Pocket Flag Buddies are now available. The November member special shows off this year’s logo in a unique way! These 3-1/4” square blue plastic sticky note holders hold one 3” x 3” pad and five sticky tabs (all included). In November only, MENC members can purchase the Pocket Flag Buddy for half of the non-member price.
No additional purchase is required.
MIOSM® 2010 Sticky Note Pocket Flag Buddies: #7036R $1.50
This special is not available at state conference resource shops. Call 1-800-828-0229 or visit www.menc.org to order.
Follow MENC on Twitter.
Collegiate Facebook Groups
- Stay connected with other MENC Collegiate members around the world by joining MENC’s Collegiate Facebook group. To join, simply visit www.facebook.com and search “MENC Collegiate Headquarters.”
- Want to know what’s happening at MENC Headquarters? Become a fan of MENC on Facebook!
MENC on LinkedIn
Connect with fellow MENC members and music education advocates on LinkedIn, a professional networking site. Participate in dicussions about current topics, get music education news, and network with others in the field. To join, login to LinkedIn, select "Search Groups" from the top drop-down menu, and search for "MENC." If you haven't created an account yet, you can sign up at linkedin.com.
New MENC Collegiate Home Page
Check out the new MENC Collegiate Home page with announcements and news, and links to all things collegiate.
“Ask the Mentors” Forum
Do you have music education questions? MENC’s mentors have the answers! Each month from September to May, the “Ask the Mentors” forum features a different mentor for band, orchestra, chorus, general music, jazz, guitar, and mariachi. The mentors are veteran teachers who offer advice in response to your teaching questions. Post questions and read responses on the Future Teacher’s Forum. Read about this month’s MENC Mentors.
November
Band – John Christian
General Music – Steven Chetcuti
Chorus – Mary Jennings
Orchestra – Sue Bechler
Jazz – Sebastian Bonaiuto
Guitar – Dan Holmes