041 - Focus On the Music

A renewed commitment in my teaching practice

Episode 41 of the Field Notes on Music Teaching & Learning podcast, hosted by Ashley Danyew, titled "041 - Focus On the Music" was published on February 16, 2022 and runs 9 minutes.

February 16, 2022 ·9m · Field Notes on Music Teaching & Learning

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Summary

This month in my teaching, I'm making a conscious effort to focus on the music. I know that might sound obvious. You're a music teacher—what else would you focus on? But the truth is, as teachers, there's a lot we're thinking about: Are we managing our time well? Will we complete everything on the lesson plan? Are we keeping a good pace and keeping our students engaged? Is there enough variety in the activities we're doing today: theory and sight-reading, aural skills and musical expression, on-the-bench and off-the-bench activities, rhythm and movement? How are they doing with this activity? Do they understand the concept? Have they developed this skill? Do they need a challenge? All of these things are important and necessary to our work. As teachers, we are responsible for organizing and sequencing learning activities, managing time, and assessing the outcomes. But this month, I want to prioritize the music we're making, the music my students are making. In his book Deep Work, researcher Cal Newport wrote, “Clarity about what matters provides clarity about what does not.” That's what this episode is all about.

Episode Description

This month in my teaching, I'm making a conscious effort to focus on the music.

I know that might sound obvious. You're a music teacher—what else would you focus on? But the truth is, as teachers, there's a lot we're thinking about:

Are we managing our time well? Will we complete everything on the lesson plan?

Are we keeping a good pace and keeping our students engaged?

Is there enough variety in the activities we're doing today: theory and sight-reading, aural skills and musical expression, on-the-bench and off-the-bench activities, rhythm and movement?

How are they doing with this activity? Do they understand the concept? Have they developed this skill? Do they need a challenge?

All of these things are important and necessary to our work. As teachers, we are responsible for organizing and sequencing learning activities, managing time, and assessing the outcomes. But this month, I want to prioritize the music we're making, the music my students are making.

In his book Deep Work, researcher Cal Newport wrote, “Clarity about what matters provides clarity about what does not.” That's what this episode is all about.

For show notes + a full transcript, click here.

Resources Mentioned

*Disclosure: I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World (Cal Newport)

Ep. 021 - “How to Praise With Intention”

Mindset: The New Psychology of Success (Carol Dweck)

Fixed and Growth Mindsets (What I Learned from Carol Dweck’s Book)

Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less (Greg McKeown)

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