(Personalized gifts online) How to write a lesson plan for music

March 10th, 2010 admin Posted in music |

By Kevin Tuck

Lesson plans are an indispensable tool for music teachers. They are critical to the success of one lesson, and the whole terms lessons, and the teachers life in general.

There is nothing like the old saying “If you don’t prepare, then prepare to fail”. However, once you are a little more experienced then preparing lesson plans becomes a lot easier.

For those who are just starting out, here are a few guidelines for creating compelling music lesson plans.

1. Think about the age group of the students you are teaching

The best thing to start with when preparing any lesson is to consider the age of the students you will be presenting to. What are their likes and dislikes? What music do they listen to on the radio? What are the other cultural factors that affect them at this age? Sometimes they can be at an age where they are very shy in front of their peer group - is this one of those ages?

Whenever you create a music lesson plan, in your head or on paper these are the things that you need to consider. Ready made lesson plans that you might buy or find online that are created in a rigid format usually don’t work. Each individual class and student needs to have the lesson plan tailored to their individual needs. Once a teacher has been teaching for a number of years they are able to do this adaptation in an instant, referencing the lesson plans that are in their head, and adapting as they go. When you are just starting however a good starting plan is to spend a few minutes researching the age group, and learning how they think and interact with each other.

2. Have much more than you thought you would planned

You might prepare a lesson with approximately ten points to cover. Sometimes you’ll only get up to the fourth one and the bell will ring for the end of the lesson. Another day, perhaps even with the same lesson and a different class you’ll get through all ten activities and there will still be another 15 minutes to go! You just don’t know for sure, and that is why its always a good idea to have a backup plan. Have copies of spare worksheets, or an interactive game on hand so that you can always go to at the end if you have a few spare minutes.

3. Include a mixture of activities.

In many schools the curriculum is planned for set lessons for the week: one lesson will practical, one theory etc. Often this is unavoidable due to practical concerns and the length of the school lessons, however why not try and mix them around a bit. You could spend half a lesson on theory, then pull out the instruments for the second half of the lesson. It’ll be interesting for the students and keep them guessing.

4. Start simple - simpler than you might think!

Its always a good idea, particularly if working with younger students to have the simplest version as a backup of your complicated idea. For example if you’re introducing a new piece of music in a practical lesson you may wish to plan for the scenario of it being way too hard for the students. Start with a section that you know the students will be able to play, then come back and deal with the harder sections.

5. Listen to feedback

Students will give you feedback - even if it is extremely subtle. Teenage students (and pretty much most students for that matter!) will never say “Mr Brown, I thought you did a wonderful job today, we learned heaps, and had fun at the same time!” Perhaps you might have a dream that your student says that - but its not going to happen in real life! What you will see is students eager to come to your classes, and happy to have a joke with you at an appropriate time. You’ll also see students putting band or orchestra ahead of their other activities. When this happens, you’ll know that what you are doing is on the right track.

Kevin Tuck is a music teacher who has taught in private music studios and schools in Australia. Kevin is also an editor of music theory worksheets for the Fun Music Company.

Connecting with God Through Music
&
Preschool Childrens Books

By Mark Arens

”Music is well said to be the speech of angels; in fact, nothing among the utterances allowed to man is felt to be so divine. It brings us near to the infinite.” Thomas Carlyle

I remember the first time I played the piano for the special music during the church offering. I was about eight-years-old and somehow my parents had talked me into it, despite my introverted personality. I don’t recall what song I played but I remember the fear induced adrenaline rushing through my body making my hands shake violently. Somehow I managed to get through the song and stand for the congregational applause. But I didn’t make it back to my seat next to my parents without bursting into tears.

You see, my parents recognized the value of kids and music and signed me up for piano lessons when I was just 5-years-old. They saw that I loved the lessons and obviously had a talent for music. What they didn’t see was that music was my catharsis; it was my personal way of connecting with God.

I have my own little girl now and her tiny hands prevent her from formal piano lessons yet but I believe in the value of providing opportunities for her to experience music and express the unique and wonderful personality and beauty God gave her.

My little one gets swept away in music. She cranks the stereo and she floats and spins around the house in her “dancing dress.” She sincerely feels the music and displays the most powerful interpretive dances-with no guidance. She feels a connection to the music that I can only relate to as a connection to God. At times, music even makes her cry.

Her childhood freedom in music without apprehension, nerves or expectations reminds me of David dancing in the streets as the ark of the Lord was brought to the City of David:

David and the entire house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouts and the sound of trumpetsMichal daughter of Saul watched from a windowshe saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD. (2 Samuel 6:15-16)

David had complete freedom worshipping God leaping and dancing, just as we are completely free in Christ. Maybe God gave us music to experience a glimpse of complete freedom in Him.

Kids books music; I believe this is one of the most powerful combinations we can create for preschool aged children. Because they are not quite old enough to read or learn a formal instrument, it’s the best time to instill in them a sense of understanding and expression without guidelines.

It’s a time to give children background knowledge much like pre-reading skills. Elementary children learn to flip through books and look at the pictures prior to reading a story to gain an understanding of the book’s content before they actually read the words. Providing musical experiences for kids before they are ready to play an instrument is the same thing.

I will continue to read my precious one preschool childrens books that are reinforced with music, and smile as she leaps and dances before the Lord.

Kids books music; try the recipe and see what it does for your child. I’m sure it will open the doors to a new connection with God that will stay with them throughout their life-even when they have children of their own.

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Mark Arens, owner of ThumbPeople, Inc. & author of Thumbuddy Books & products wants to share with you simple tools and ideas of how to empower your family to live a great life! visit ThumbPeople>> http://www.preschoolchildrensbooks.com

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