9/28/14

Dear Mrs. Posey,

My name is Shannon Light and I am a Junior Music Education Major at JMU. I was placed
with you for MUED 273 field experience this semester and am very excited to learn from
you and your students!
For class I am supposed to complete two observations and two teaching segments. If
you could please let me know when the best times would be for me to come in, I would
really appreciate it.
Thank you,
Shannon
9/30/14
Dear Shannon:
Sorry it took so long to get back to you. Had a busy weekend & a busy Monday at
school. I have three instrumental classes that you could do for practicum. They are:
(Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday)
6th Grade Beginning Percussion - 12:44 to 1:25
7th Grade Woodwind Class - 1:31 to 2:15
7th Grade Brass Class - 2:19 to 3:05
The Thursday schedule is slightly different:
6th Grade Beginning Percussion - 12:54 to 1:36
7th Grade Woodwind Class - 1:38 to 2:19
7th Grade Brass Class - 2:23 to 3:05
The 6th Grader percussionists have only been playing for a month - but are doing
really well. We are working on mallets (Scales & scale patterns), Bass Drum, Snare
Drum, Suspended Cymbal, Triangle.
The majority of the 7th Grade classes have been playing for a year. I have a few
beginners in both classes that you could work with.
We are currently working on a simplified arrangement of the Star Spangled Banner,
The Charioteers and are about to pass out some holiday music in 7th Grade Band.
Please let me know which time works best for you.
Sharon

10/2/14
Thank you, Mrs. Posey.

Could I come and observe 6th grade percussion and 7th grade woodwind class on 10/16
and then teach both classes on 10/30? If you would rather me space out the teaching
experiences, I am available any Thursday (aside from 10/23) for either class.
I'm very much looking forward to learning from you and your students!
Shannon
10/2/14
Dear Shannon:
Come & observe on October 16th & then we can talk about small group instruction
for the classes after your observation.
See you on the 16th. You have to register in our main office before you come to
class. Please dress appropriately. Thanks.
Sharon

11/1/14
Dear Mrs. Posey
Attached is my lesson plan for Thursday. Please let me know if there is anything you
would like for me to change. I look forward to working with your clarinet players!
Thank you,
Shannon
11/2/14
Dear Shannon:
This looks great. You may have to give them a few minutes for each activity. They
usually take a little longer to learn new passages. Once they get it, you can move a
little quicker.

11/10/14
Dear Mrs. Posey,
Here is the link to my teaching video from
Thursday. https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4eDpHMTCdE3VGtIYUZ1TWlKdU0/view?us
p=sharing
Please let me know what you would like to see me improve upon this week.
Thank you!
Shannon
11/12/14
Dear Shannon:
What a great lesson. You are a very patient teacher. You taught everything correctly
& talked to the students about the air vs. finger placement. Liked how you reviewed
fingerings. Liked when you had them blow & you fingered for them.

I know it has a lot to do with their register key. Maybe focus on less movement with
the left thumb & supporting the clarinet with the right thumb. Also, check to see if
their fingers are curled or relaxed in the front of the clarinet.
I like the pace you are using. Just take it slow. It is a process & it takes a while to
learn. There is no rush - you are doing exactly what you are supposed to be doing
I haven't had a chance to touch on Ding, Dong at all this week. Anything you can do
will be helpful to the students. Take it from the beginning and do it in small chunks4 measures at a time on Thursday.
If you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail me & I will see you tomorrow. I
will keep the bass clarinets with me, so you can focus on the Bb Clarinets.
Keep up the good work.
Sharon

11/12/14
Dear Mrs. Posey,
Thank you so much for your positive feedback, I really appreciate it!
Attached is my lesson plan for tomorrow (I just listed what I will work on in each section,
although I don't at all anticipate being able to review the entire piece).
Thanks,
Shannon