Clay Blackwood

Lesson Reflection

In my first observed lesson, I taught a 5th grade brass class. In this particular class, we were

going through the method book that they had been using before I came in to begin my student teaching.

I honestly felt pretty bad about this particular lesson, as this is one of the classes in which I have

experienced difficulty during my experience thus far.

Prior to the lesson, I felt as though I could have been much more prepared. At this point, I was

just getting up in front of the room and teaching out of the book. I have learned quickly that this is not

the way to run a classroom. The students did not seemed interested in the lesson at all, and that was

partly my fault.

When teaching brass and woodwind players, I have noticed that I only teach notes and rhythm,

paying little attention to the techniques used in playing the instrument and tone production. However,

these aspects that I veer away from are just as essential, if not more, to becoming a successful

musician. I shy away from these topics when I am in front of a band out of fear of saying the wrong

things. As a percussionist, my knowledge is limited in playing wind instruments. I know that if I am to

be a successful band director, I need to expand my knowledge on these instruments and start getting out

of my comfort zone a little more. This way, I can learn what methods work and which ones do not.

Despite the obvious climate of boredom, the classroom management part was great. The

students were attentive and did everything I asked. This atmosphere was already established before I

walked in the room though, so I cannot take credit for how well behaved the students were.

As far as my presence in the front of the room, I did not move from my spot on the podium. I

need to get around the room more so that I can observe the ways students are holding the instruments

and their posture. Also, I think one of the main reasons why I demeaned this way was again because I
was fearful of saying the wrong things, or even worse not having a clue what to say. I have since

learned, that the students have no idea either, and I definitely know more than them. I do not need to

be scared of getting out of my comfort zone and trying different methods to get them to sound the way

in which they are supposed to sound.

Overall, this lesson was one of my worse ones, but that does not mean it was not beneficial to

the students and certainly not to me. I have learned in my experience that at some of my worst

moments in teaching have taught me the most about myself as a teacher and how to do better in the

future. I am getting my hands on these instruments as much as I can in these next few weeks. Whenever

I am not teaching, I am playing these instruments so that I can understand them better and give my

absolute best to these students, and the many more that are going to walk into my classroom in the

future.