Homework of the week, by a music teacher! - La tarea de la semana, por una profe de música

Hello!

On his post I will be answering the questions from the
@steemiteducation's Homework for this week

Earlier this week, I wrote an article on what I've done as a parent to help my daughter start her reading process, you can click here if you want to check it out (I think it answers part of the homework). Today I want to focus on what I've done as a music teacher:

What have I suggested parents to help their kids?

In 2016 I was teaching music at a bilingual private school. I believe kids were doing great in class, and unlike traditional music teachers in this country, I was teaching them the fundamentals of music, instead of the usual musical repertoire.

So the parents were a little bit puzzled. Why is there a music test? Isn’t music one of those areas in which all kids get straight A’s? What is all this?. The kids were good, but the parents felt that if they don’t know something or can’t help kids at home, then their kids will be lost.

So they started calling me, because the kids were explaining the musical concepts but the parents didn’t have a way to know if that was true… in other words, they didn’t believe the kids, and they didn’t know anything about the subject, so they were lost.

So I came up with this idea: I made a video explaining the concepts. It was addressed both to kids and their parents, so they could use it to reinforce the subject at home. Music is one of those subjects that you only have 40 minutes a week in this country, so I really had to make the most of it and prepare some material for them to go over at home during the week.

Using technology

This year I’m working at the National Music Education System. I have this lovely group of 4 kids. Three of them have cell phones. So I created a messaging group with them (and the parents of the other kid). We have been studying intervals, and they told me that for the first time they feel they understand. But they need to practice the ear training at home. I explained the theoretical part in class and did some interval recognition exercises and techniques in class, using the piano, hand bells, hand signs, body movements and everything I could think of.

But I need them to get them right every time, so I sent them the link to web page with ear training exercises. I know as parents, we worry about our kids’ screen time, so I figured it’s ok to spend 5 minutes a day online practicing something that is actually good for them. It can be literally 5 minutes and they get instant feedback so I think they will be mastering intervals pretty soon.

I also have a couple of groups, one of them of much younger kids. One of these days I used a YouTube video to show them the sound of different instruments of the orchestra. Some of the students were missing, so I sent the same video to the parents, so that they can watch it at home and catch up with the class. I find that parents find it reassuring when teachers share resources, and care for absences. They take it more seriously from then on.

Teacher and Tutor

10 years ago, I was working on a high school in Venezuela. Two sophomore students told me they wanted to pursue Music as a career in college. So I became their mentor. I knew that in order to be able to do good at college, they had to change schools. So, although it meant I’d be “loosing” them, I knew I had to help them. We had free after school lessons at my house for a few months, and next year they were already in the musical high school. That same year, I started working at the same University they wanted to get in. And they eventually made it! Best part: I was there to welcome them, and I got to teach them a few more courses during their career. But I didn’t have to worry too much about them anymore… I had planted a good seed years before!

I am very happy to remember and share all of these experiences with you, being a part of two awesome communities that represent my two biggest roles in life: mother and teacher.
Till next time,