So, here's the deal. In late November I have to teach a class of secondary school students, together with three fellow students, as a part of a project. These childeren are around the age of 12/13. It's a special school meaning a very low level of education. So it should not be too difficult, things have to be explained more than once and so forth.
For your information: I study English and my subject is... MUSIC!
My question: Does anyone of you have any nice ideas of what I could do in class? I already have a few things (a video excerpt of Songmachine as introduction, a warming-up exercise, a short speaking assignment, maybe a gap text).
Since it's such an extensive subject, it's really hard to find something suitable. I thought about bringing my keyboard to class and do something with that, although this idea still has to be concretized.
Any good ideas, ladies and gentlemen? Thanks in advance!
I would try an introduce these kids to different kinds of music than they listen to normally. Give them a crash Jazz course. Most jazz albums in the day pretty much included so many liner notes that you could LITERALLY give a class on each album.
Hehe, I'm not in jazz myself either, so I don't think that would be a good idea. Thanks for suggesting, though! Music in general is a better idea, I think. Something interactive is probably the best option. It's hard and my mind is totally blank at the moment.
Make it clear to them that in music, there is only Freddie, and any nonbelivers shall be punished. There is only ONE singing god, and he roars the Day-O for the everyday American. This is the word of Treasure Moment 12:6.
Classical Music is generally good for special education students; many studies have shown that music has a positive and calming effect on them.
Here's an idea for you:
Classical music is GREAT for variations on themes. Get the kids together and play them different clips of classical music (like JS Bach's Goldberg Variations or Handel's Harmonious Blacksmith). Play it through for them once, and then again and ask them if they can identify when they hear similar themes. Then you can ask them to explain the differences they are hearing in the different variations on the theme.
Music is often perceived in school as just another boring subject that students reject just because of that. Mainlyl when you get grades and and a bad grade can make your school carrer difficult. I think singing is the best way to make students realise the fun and beauty of music. If you sing something with them - not too difficult but something that makes them feel they achieved something new - that would probably have a good and lasting effect. For example a "quod libet" is something that students usually like (it's a Latin word we use in Germany , no idea if you use it, too). A "quod libet" contains of 4 or 5 melodies that can be sung at the same time and sound like a choir.
It's also great when the students can pick something they want to sing but that requires some preparation.
I thought you (1) might have a sense of humor and (2) was a fan of Wayne's World 2.
I don't think "Chet" is name calling, is it? Who is Chet anyways? Wayne said it originally.
So you get your feathers ruffled THAT easily and your going to teach? That should be interesting...
Oh well, I bet the quod libet, Classical, or Jazz ideas were better anyways. They'd get more out of it.
Have a better day, you don't have to add a "P" to your name, ya know.
Micrówave wrote:
Sorry Rick
I thought you (1) might have a sense of humor and (2) was a fan of Wayne's World 2.
I don't think "Chet" is name calling, is it? Who is Chet anyways? Wayne said it originally.
So you get your feathers ruffled THAT easily and your going to teach? That should be interesting...
Oh well, I bet the quod libet, Classical, or Jazz ideas were better anyways. They'd get more out of it.
Have a better day, you don't have to add a "P" to your name, ya know.
First of all, I'm not a fan of Wayne's World. What's more, I'm not even familiar with it.
Secondly, maybe I did overreact. However, your post made me do this, fair or unfair, that's the question.
Teaching is something different than defening yourself on QZ. Oh yes, as different as chalk and cheese.
Classical and/or Jazz aren't extactly suitable. It's special education, meaning a very low level of the English language. Jazz and Classical music are quite complicated to do something with (I'm not even familiar with them, let alone explaining it to the kids!) Besides, those kids are far more into popular music anyway, which I intend to use in class. Again, I appreciate your contribution. After some good consultation with my teacher, I decided to go for my own ideas.
Finally, sorry for misunderstanding you. Maybe I should have taken your comment with a grain of salt. No hard feelings or whatsoever.
Rick, definitely the best thing for you to do would be to learn and sing the Beatles songs with the children. They are still small and they don' speak good English, I guess. So take the most transparent in meaning and sense lyrics, like One, Two, Three, Four, Could I have a little more...(if I am not mistaken), We All Live In a Yellow Submarine and so on. Thus you will teach them Music and English. Sing the songs, which are trully British and enjoy it!!! This would be the best choice, trust me!