Looking for some ideas

[Heather Bryson]

I teach a high school level music appreciation course. The class is primarily freshman. There is no textbook. This year all freshman have MacBooks. I'm looking for student-centered activities in the areas of: musical instruments, basic theory, history, technology using GB.

Anyone have anything to share or sites to direct me to?

[Heather Bryson]

I should also mention that these students usually have little prior knowledge in music.

[Carol Broos]

See the above post. I would stay away from music history and theory, If you must, do current history, their favorite group, etc. The more hand-on you are the better Engage the students, don't enrage them with subject matter they don't understand. Have them become musical, not musicians, creating moods and reaction to pictures.

[Heather Bryson]

I do some of that already - and I try to make relevant analogies when talking about some things. I have to teach some of those things per the curriculum. I do keep the theory very basic and the history very concise - usually with lots of listening. I've also done some of the mood stuff too. I also try to talk as much about more contemporary things as possible.

Thanks for the tips and I'll check out your presentation site.

[Carol Broos]

I had students create GB songs in class and post them on my website www.carolbroos.com If you can get the school to pay for a ,mac account you can have the same website I have. I also discuss what is a "good" and "bad" GB song. You can view details of this on my presentation wiki - musictechie.pbwiki.com, under the ABC's of GB. I have students also create stories using all the sound effects. Invest in some USB headsets that students can use the mic and headset. If you have any problems, just email me, I have been using GB for four years. I would try to stay away from music theory, Non-musician really don't understand it if they never really played an instrument. I also do keynote, powerpoint - using GB songs and an interesting subject they enjoy. Since we are musicians, we understand about timing and presentation. Have fun! I also have games on my website that students play as well. Keep in touch!

[Barbara Freedman]

Hey there! My Intro class is all on GB and most of my kids are, like yours, freshmen and little or no music experience or knowledge. I'll see what files I have with me and send you some ideas for lessons. Promise not to publish them... I'm working on that myself!

[Heather Bryson]

Holy Cow, you are awesome. Not only will I not publish, but I'll sing your praises!

[Barbara Freedman]

Oh geesh! Just use them in good health if you like them. Check this out:

http://167.206.79.135/staff/bfreedman/ghs/tutorials/Home.html

I made some screencast tutorials on GB. I'll put the lesson overviews here tomorrow.

Barb

[Carol Broos]

This website is incredible. I love screencast and will be using it this year. Again, what a great website!!

[Barbara Freedman]

Thanks so much! I did it myself on iWeb. The weird URL is because it's a district server so it's a free feed for me! I don't want to advertise it too much because it IS my school district server and if my site crashes the server... OY! I tried putting them up on Teacher Tube but for some don't work there. :-(

Those screen casts were done with SnapzPro. Bill Bauer told me on an Apple networking group about another program that looks like it can do a little more. I forget the name...

[Barbara Freedman]

OK... I am going to try to up load this file. It is a very, very brief overview of some of the assignments from my Intro class. There are mini and main lessons in and around these projects but this should be a good start. I am happy to go over them with you or answer any questions. I hope this is helpful.

[Wendy Strauss]

Here's a fun website--I think it was made by some high school students in the '90's.

http://library.thinkquest.org/15413/


I teach high school music apprec., and have a textbook--it's actually a college textbook--here is the website--there are online quizzes and things, that may give you some ideas. There are web exercises with links to the answers!

http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0073526568/information_center...

(You have to buy the textbooks to get the license for the instructor edition, but the only difference is the test bank and power point presentations on the teacher site)

[Susan Ferdon]

I've bookmarked several sites on delicious - my user name is sferdon. You are welcome to see if there is anything there that would be useful to you. I teach 2nd -5th grade general music, so many of the sites are geared toward younger students. I've also got a few sites on my blog (http://blog109.org/communities/kiplingmusic/default.aspx) listed under the Post Catagory "Music Websites."