Episode #107: Increasing Student Engagement in the Music Room

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Main Theme

In this episode, Carrie and Tanya discuss some strategies for increasing student engagement in the music room. We encourage you to read this article, "How to Ensure Students Are Actively Engaged and Not Just Compliant," by Katrina Schwartz. In the article, Schwartz shares a list of qualities from John Almarode, associate professor at James Madison University and co-director of the school's Center for STEM Education and Outreach, that promote student engagement. Through his research, Almarode has observed students demonstrating cognitive engagement 84-86% of the time when at least 3 of these qualities are observed in a classroom. These 8 qualities are great to keep in mind when planning. Look for opportunities to purposefully plan at least a few of these engagement strategies into each of your lessons or :
  1. Does the activity, strategy, task, or idea allow for the student to personalize his or her response? Can they bring their life experiences into the activity and make it their own?
  2. Are there clear and modeled expectations?
  3. Is there a sense of audience above and beyond the teacher and the test? Does the activity have value to someone else?
  4. Is there social interaction? Do students have an opportunity to talk about the learning and interact?
  5. Is there a culture of emotional safety? Are mistakes valued because they are an opportunity to learn?
  6. Do students have opportunities to choose within the activity?
  7. Is it an authentic activity? This doesn’t mean it always must connect directly to the student’s world, but it should connect to reality.
  8. Is the task new and novel? If kids are bored, it’s hard to see engagement
Past Music Teacher Coffee Talk episodes with more ideas for student engagement:
Episode #77: Student Choice and Voice
Episode #59: Student and Teacher Resilience
Episode #47: Building Relationships
Episode #12: Mindfulness in the Music Room

Know Better, Do Better

When planing days for Spirit Week at your school. please reconsider having a "Crazy Hair Day" at your school. Oftentimes, these days can cause harm to BIPOC students, particularly Black girls, as this day can promote messages of what "normal" hair and hairstyles look like. For more information and a deeper perspective, read this article, "On 'Crazy Hair Day': A Letter to Daycare," by Relando Thompkins-Jones.

Work Smarter, Not Harder

Check out Dr. Musik's website full of fun games and apps for your students!

Coda

Tanya recommends reading the Scythe series by Neal Shusterman
Tanya recommends the new Spoon album, Lucifer on the Sofa

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