Student Work Time
It can be difficult for the band, orchestra, or chorus director to step away from the podium and leave students to their own devices. With a properly supported and regulated creative community, students’ internal motivation drives them to create and engage with the material. It’s not always smooth, but keeping the items below in mind will keep student work time productive and fun:
Lectures should almost never be longer than 20 minutes.
Even the most dedicated students’ eyes will start glazing over. When we’re talking about writing music, the best way to learn is to actually write songs!
Writing music takes time.
The wide availability and portability of Chromebooks and other computers allow some students to work at home, but other variables can come into play outside of school. Class time is the best time to work.
Facilitate, don’t lead.
Your taste and background is important, but a music production class is all about the students and what they like. There will be times when you don’t understand or agree with students’ creative choices. That’s a good thing!
Teachable moments will arise!
Students will encounter problems specific to the goals they’re trying to achieve. Oftentimes, these moments can be instructive for the whole class.
Grading Creativity
Giving students grades as they engage with the creative process can be difficult, especially for music teachers that are used to judging a student’s performance on an acoustic instrument. When a student performs a piece, they either play the notes on the page correctly or not, with varying degrees of expression and depth. There’s some wiggle room there, but it’s rather black and white.
When students write their own music, there is no right or wrong. If the student likes what they made, then their composition is valid! Whether you like it or even understand it is irrelevant.
We recommend basing your grades off of the two following criteria:
Projects
Did the student meet the requirements of the project or assignment?
Did they demonstrate an understanding of the underlying concepts?
Participation
Did the student consistently show up to class on time?
Did the student turn in their projects and assessments on time?
Was the student respectful with their peers during work time and listening parties?
Did the student treat you with respect?
If the answers to all of the questions above are a yes, we encourage you give that student an A.