A Teaching Observation from Tom Shelton

WESTMINSTER
COLLEGE OF THE ARTS

Westminster Choir College

RIDER UNIVERSITY

Music Education Department

Name of Teacher Name of School

Sergey Tkachenko Pennsbury High School March 27, 2014 7:45 a.m. - Freshman Boys

Grade Date

Time

Lesson/Rehearsal Plan: Conforms to the required forms. Comments:

+ Excellent, thorough rehearsal plan; including repertoire to rehearse; objectives; summary; procedures; closing; materials; standards; and assessments.

Lesson/Rehearsal Execution: Includes appropriate strategies to meet the objectives and answer the focusing/essential question. Comments:
My Heart's in the Highlands: * Soft singing: needs more core to the sound; you are an excellent vocal model - demonstrate "off the top" vs. "supported" tone. + "Do you have pencils? Mark the breath marks"; "Let's sing in 4 measure phrases"; great visual reminder on whiteboard of appropriate marks in music. + Speak in rhythm; requiring use of chant-sing voices opposed to speaking "on the cords"; Using culturally significant examples to teach a concept: "Julia Child" (maybe "snooty british"); "lofty voice". + Review of choral concepts: Stagger Breathing + Solfege "la ti do"; excellent visual on board = connection to music. +++ Excellent review of musical skills covered during the rehearsal. Having singers share the information before final review of song: Points to focus on before singing: Key change; dynamics; la ti do; + You have great skills; both vocally and on the keyboard.

General: Includes classroom management, assessment and standards. The strongest areas of this lesson/rehearsal were:
+ Moving away from the piano and interacting with the students; assists with keeping students on task and being amongst them. (Know that it's okay to use the piano - just don't get stuck there.) + You are able to use humor in a positive fashion to lighten the mood and create an atmosphere of energy as well as establish an excellent rapport with the students. + Classroom management is excellent; good pacing. + Rehearsal in semi-circle; adds variety and changes the energy in the room - particularly for block schedule

classes.
* "Katusha"; solo conversation; talking over students - attain their focus, before talking. *** "Filler time"; What do you do with chaos at the end of class, when students have to leave at various times? Knowing this is going to happen, create a plan for how to keep the momentum moving. + Excellent use of peer teaching; allowing students to demonstrate their knowledge and sharing with their peers.

Suggestions for the next observation:

* Consider less "talking" before making music * Try not to talk over students; use "wait time" if necessary. *** Great job today! Pacing is good, energy is fantastic, no classroom management issues. Excellent rapport with students. Fantastic musical skills - both vocal and keyboard.

Today's Grade (15 points maximum)