Observation #3

2/24/15

Class begins with warm-ups. "iPads and phones away". Moving up the scale using hand signs. One boy is singing down the octave. "Yah- ee" (1531, 54321) with snaps. Moving up the keyboard. "Mi, meh, ma, moh, moo" on the same note, moving up the keyboard.

"Lean on Me" is on the repertoire list for the upcoming concert. This is the first time the choir is singing in three-part (Bethany said this was first time ever for this group) She told the group she was "on the fence about it" but wanted to give it a try. If it didn't work out, she would have the boys jump up the octave, or to jump to either soprano or alto.
To begin, Bethany played their part on the piano and sang with them. For the altos, she had them listen first. She modeled the part for the group, and isolated the skips. She told the group "if it doesn't work out, we'll do unison."

The second song was the popular hit "Best Day of My Life". This is a favorite for the kids. Again, Bethany played their parts on the piano. At one point, she asked the choir to raise their hands if they had the melody. To my surprise, no one raised their hand. She had to then teach the class what a melody is--"the part everybody knows".
To get the kids moving towards the end of class, Bethany had part 1 go to the piano to rehearse. Then she had part 2 go to the piano while part 1 put their folders away.

Evaluation is done through class participation.
Bethany said the most difficult part of the job is all of the paperwork. Such as, writing grands and such.
The group of 7th and 8th graders meets every morning from 7:30-8:30ish (Tuesday and Thursday end at a different time than Monday, Wednesday, Friday). The 6th graders are at the elementary school.
Bethany does a Spring concert with popular music. That is why the pieces above are contemporary.

For behavior techniques, Bethany says she allows breaks because the class is so long. She allows the kids to finish their breakfast before she gets started (this is usually 5-8 minutes). She allows time to talk here and there to keep the students engaged during the time to focus.