Monday, December 7, 2020

Yes, we know that these are some crazy tough times in teaching (understatement). So I decided to ask some of my friends and colleagues (even students) "what is working for you?" The answers were truly interesting and encouraging. While we are hearing all the stories of heartache, discouragement, and disappointment, it was great to hear some actual excitement in these folks' voices as we talked about teaching and learning during these hard times!

As usual, teachers have stepped up to the plate, and are being incredibly creative and versatile in their approach to learning in a pandemic.

One of my teachers said "I am teaching to the abyss." Some districts have incredibly stringent policies concerning students on screen. For example, you cannot post students faces on recorded, and uploaded lessons. Hence, the "abyss". Charya Wolfe, Director of Bands at Mayfield Middle School in the Putnam City school district (OKC), logs on to Google Meet and teaches the lesson. There is a Google Meet attendance extension to Chrome that sends the teacher a list of students, and when they log on and off. She also uses Google Meet grid view mix; this allows for more students to be seen on one screen. Questions while doing the lesson are sent by the students via the chat platform. Content is much like what she would be doing for in-person learning, but she does not see the faces of the students. She is recording to post for those students who log in later! After she goes off the recorded time, she tries to engage the students just about any way she can! She asks if they have questions about the content, but often just asks them about random things. She tells me they have had some great conversations that probably would never have happened in a regular classroom setting. She also has found that theory worksheets are not the answer, and too much is too much!

Ponca City (OK) Schools, has had in-person and virtual learning for most of the school year. They are utilizing staff in very creative ways. Each staff member is assigned specific students to monitor and teach, instead of one person doing all. Students have 3 assignment options daily.

1. Participate in class rehearsal or watch via Zoom/Google meet.
2. Complete a practice submission to their director.
3. Complete a video assignment.

Rehearsals are recorded live when they were in in-person. Virtual students can log on and participate in the live rehearsal. Attendance is taken by the director at the end of class to ensure students were involved to the very end. Here is the practice rubric link used by the band for the practice submission portion.

The video assignments include "how to add vibrato", "how to circular breath," etc.--interesting things that hopefully will engage the students and excite you as the teacher!

The most important piece of these assignments, in my opinion, come on Wednesdays! This is mental health check in day. The directors poll the students on how they are doing. What is bothering them, and if they need help or need to talk. If students appear to be sliding down the slope, a director reaches out to the student and parent in hopes that they can help in this area. Paula MacPherson-Cochran, Instrumental Music Coordinator and Ponca City High Orchestra Director, feels like this portion of the week is more important than the lessons, and is a great way to have some accountability and personal interaction with the students.

I have a private student who prefers video explanations from teachers rather just posted assignments. She says she would like to see teachers Google Meet at class time and approach the meet as an in-person class experience. She told me that her teachers are doing a good job of answering her questions via email and Google Meet.

I'm sure that you have found many things that work for you and your students. Keep up the good work, hang in there, and continue to be creative in your assignments. I also found out that Edpuzzle is a way to make YouTube videos interactive. Check it out if you haven't already! Also, if you have a great idea, I would love to hear about it. Please email me at [email protected].

Susan Clothier is a native Oklahoman. She attended Oklahoma City University where upon graduation, she immediately started her teaching career. Susan taught in Oklahoma Public schools for 37 years. She took two years off to complete her Masters degree at Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, TX. Susan spent her entire career in Oklahoma, teaching at Western Heights, Washington, Tuttle, and Tecumseh before retuning to OKC to serve as Director of Bands at Putnam City North High School for 19 years until retiring in 2018. Susan was named Oklahoma's Band Director of the Year and has been inducted into the Oklahoma Bandmasters Hall of Fame. She received the "Outstanding Service Award to Oklahoma Small School Bands" from the OK Small School Band Director's Association and was named the Area 6 winner from the National Federation of High School Associations. Susan joined the Palen Music Center staff during the summer of 2018.

Ryan Boone - Repair Technician, Broken Arrow

Ryan began his career as a band instrument repair technician in 2001 after attending Missouri State University where he studied Anthropology and Religious Studies as well as participating in a many university bands. During a break in studies in 2001 he was hired to repair band instruments, quickly became obsessed with the field, and has been working full-time repairing band ever since. Since then he gained a reputation in Springfield as a highly skilled repair technician and trumpet player, repairing for and playing with many professional musicians in Springfield, Branson, and the surrounding areas. Ryan joined the Palen team in 2016 and moved to Broken Arrow soon afterward to manage the shop there. When he is not repairing instruments or performing, writing, and arranging music he enjoys almost any kind of outdoor activity--especially cycling, mountain biking, floating, hiking, and backpacking, as well as spending time with his friends, family, and dogs.