This week/ Curriculum

I had a very interesting week so far. Yesterday my co op had an inservice meeting all day, so it was just a substitute and myself. I basically taught two general music classes, choir, and a special education class all on my lonesome. I must say it was the most stressful yet most rewarding day so far, I really felt like a real teacher for the first time. All of my classes went very well and not only do I think my students were engaged, but we laughed and had a ton of fun. My special education class was a bit overwhelming because right now I am still at the point where I am feeling out their personalities (there are about 14 students, two in wheel chairs), and trying to manage the class with out being too stern or push too hard. I feel like I am beginning to build a rapport with all my students, as a matter of fact my Special Education students sang happy birthday to me today!

As for my conversations about curriculum, I really found out some interesting information about the way my district handles curriculum. For the music department, General Music curriculum, which is on a 30 day cycle, is based on three main topics per grade, per cycle. There are just broad guidlines and parameters, in general the teachers have freedom to creatively lesson plan and modify their lesson plans to the needs of their students, in fact it is encouraged. Choir actually does not have a curriculum, and this has been a main discussion in department meetings. My co op fears that the supervisors are looking at Choir as just rehearsal strategies to prep for a concert and not necessarily a place where learning occurs, so she takes it upon herself to type up a "choir contract" every year with her expectations/mini curriculum for the year for her choir members and parents to view.

Curriculum wise I also found out that my district has a website where all teachers can view their and each other's curriculums, as well as build their own file with their curriculum. They can edit this file with resources, activities, videos, etc that work well with the curriculum. Then other teachers can look through these files and get ideas for their own classroom, or supervisors can see how the teachers are working with the curriculum. The teachers also use the website as a forum to discuss the curriculum or express ideas for the curriculum with supervisors. I think this website creates a great community for the teachers and allows for the teachers to have a voice, or act like an advocate to their students if they feel there is a problem with the curriculum.