Observation #2

2/17/15

Warm-ups:

-Yah, on 1, 3, 5, 3, 1

-So-fa-mi-re-do

-He haw/hah he haw/ee ee/ha/coo (on off beats)/ruba duba dub da da. On piano, play I, V

Some boys have a voice change, to which she would ask them, "Guys, sing down here", and she'd play down the octave. 

The overall sound of the group is innocent. Light. Bethany asked the group, "More or less air for the higher notes?" And the class responded correctly, with more air. 

There was a lot of chatter today. Bethany let it happen, but knew when to bring it back in. The group is very energetic, and excited in general. However, they are very talkative. 

To bring the kids back, Bethany would chant, "Chh, chh, chh chh chh". The kids would echo and get quiet again. 

Since this was the class back from break, she allowed the students to share a short story about what they did over break.

During this time, two students in the back of the class decided to listen to their ipod together. Eventually they did stop to pay attention, but Bethany did nothing to address it... or perhaps she didn't see it. However, this happened during my last observation, too. 

Once the new music was passed out, the iPods/iPads, etc. went away without Bethany asking.The new piece is "Lean on Me" (SAB) Arranged by Alan Billingsley. She played a recording for the students. The song seems fun, especially the clapping part. The students seemed to be excited. 

The guys are going to be on the baritone part. She told the 7th graders, "This will be perfect for you."

About 45 minutes into class, she turned to the white board and wrote both a treble clef and bass clef, and had the students circle the part they were going to sing. 

Then she had them number the measures.

That was the end of class. I didn't see any singing today besides some warm-ups.