Category: curriculum

choir, curriculum, education, music education, online learning

High School Choir Online Learning Options: Growing as Musicians

If this helps anyone, here is how I am going to proceed with online learning for my high school choirs in the next weeks (approximately 130 students).  My school uses Google Classroom, so this assignment will appear there and students will be able to submit.  But this would also work through email.  Many of these ideas are industry standards.  I’ve only compiled them in a … Continue reading High School Choir Online Learning Options: Growing as Musicians

Doreen Fryling21 Comments
curriculum, education, online learning

Don’t just assign crap. Questions to consider in this bizarre time.

Many of us are now suddenly faced with distance learning situations. So, here are some ideas to consider when teaching from home (these work for sub plans or long-term school closures). Fortunately, there are a ton of great resources being generated online and shared out there right now. Join social media groups for your professional organizations to get access to ideas and plans. But then, … Continue reading Don’t just assign crap. Questions to consider in this bizarre time.

Doreen Fryling1 Comment
curriculum, education, music education, positive pyschology

A frank guide to a better back-to-school night

A frank guide to a better back-to-school night As noted in the title, this is intended for teachers who are looking to come through the other side of back-to-school night with fewer scars. If this is your first year, well, good luck.  There’s a strong possibility that it’ll be a disaster, but that’s okay.  Your entire first year may also be a disaster.  Hang in there … Continue reading A frank guide to a better back-to-school night

Doreen Fryling2 Comments
creative thinking, curriculum, education, music education, writing

Practicing What You Preach: Learning What You Teach

Summer is the perfect time for me to try out some of the nonsense I spew all year long.  Okay, not nonsense. Well thought-out, research-backed, pedagogically sound, veteran tested, best practices stuff.  But honestly, stuff that sometimes makes me feel like I’m just a carnival barker. I’m talking about the practice-what-you-preach stuff.  Things I say a million times over the course of a school year, … Continue reading Practicing What You Preach: Learning What You Teach

Doreen FrylingLeave a comment
curriculum, education

The Other 98% of the Time…

The Obama Administration recently issued support for limiting testing time for students to 2% of their school year.  Critics have already pointed out that this is more testing time than many students already face. While I appreciate the administration showing concern for students who sit for 9 hours of testing in only a few days, I think most people are still missing the real problem … Continue reading The Other 98% of the Time…

Doreen FrylingLeave a comment
curriculum, education, positive pyschology

Don’t tell them they can’t.

Want your students to excel? Don’t tell them they can’t. Why not tell them they can? You’d be surprised what students can do. Sometimes it just takes you getting out of the way. Provide curricular opportunities that are open-ended in their design instead of curriculum that only has correct and incorrect answers. Allow ALL students chances to demonstrate mastery, creativity, and ownership of their work. … Continue reading Don’t tell them they can’t.

Doreen Fryling1 Comment