Elementary School Orchestra

Despite the fact that I was not attending my regularly scheduled classes at the time of my observation, I still had the utmost hope that I would be able to "pull myself up by the bootstraps" and change my behavior patterns. This did not prove the case, as we well know, but in my hope I still made my way to my second Elementary School observation. Fifth grade orchestra had been my only non-techniques-class instrumental instruction, and so I was excited to see Chandra Lind teach and be reminded of my youthful experiences. I must say, my memories of my final elementary year are still hazy, at best, but I was thoroughly impressed with Mrs. Lind's teaching. Before class began she enlightened me on a small section of her planned teaching: she would be teaching the students a new piece that was required for the district music festival -- one which they had not played before -- and had created large rhythm cards with four beat sections taken directly from the music. I loved this! The students took to the instruction remarkably well, and while the piece was not perfect when played together, it was obvious that the students had applied what they played on the flashcards to what was in the music. Chandra pointed out specific sections that matched those cards that had been played in rehearsal, and the students were able to see directly how it related to the new piece in front of them. What resulted was students who felt confident in their ability to play something new, and who played with a newfound passion to apply their learning. I loved watching Mrs. Lind work with the students, and would love to continue having observations with her in the future. I feel she has a great amount of teaching knowledge from which I could learn.