I had determined a great way to assess my choir students ability to sight read and to demonstrate their knowledge of solfege is to have them actually do it. Yes, instead of testing them with the standard written test, fill in the blank, or multiple choice option, I would have them actually SING in choir. I know I am very forward thinking... ha!
The trick with this kind of assessment is to alleviate any unnecessary fear surrounding the assessment. Choir kids are already self conscious. I opted to allow students to test in groups. This really seemed to ease some of the pain surrounding the testing.
Round ONE:
The first time I did this type of assessment I learned some important things.
1. Don't let the kids pick their own groups.
Why, you may ask? Well, I found the stronger singers tended to group together, leaving those needing extra help totally helpless. The second assessment consisted of groups of TWO students, and I had put the groups together. This means that I put my strongest singer, with my weakest. The assessment was MUCH improved for my weaker singers this way.
2. Make a rubric!
I didn't think that far ahead the first assessment. I thought...correct notes, full credit! However, the students didn't know how to get a good grade, and what I was looking for. Silly of me, huh? So the next time around I made a clear rubric. It consisted of a possible four points and included details such as how many notes or rhythms they could miss, what happened if they stopped singing, or didn't sing at all, and if they missed a solfege word. This was so much more clear the second time around...duh!
3. Allow classroom time for practice as a partnership.
This was an obvious alteration the second time around. It was clear allowing the groups to meet and practice sight-reading together would assist with the nerves for the final assessment.
4. Don't speak about the assessment with hushed voices.
Don't mention the word TEST, or QUIZ or any other such word. Just announce the activity like it is no biggie. It is expected for a choir member to sing in choir, right?
Saturday, December 7, 2013
Monday, November 25, 2013
All about me...silly tidbits of nonsense!
Hi! My name is Rebekka Austin. I am a High School choir and piano teacher and I love it so much. Being an intern is rough business, but I am learning so much. A busy mom with three boys, I have little time for much else! Although my life I crazy busy, I want you to know some of the fun and quirky things about me so you can feel like you know me! Here are 25 nonsensical tidbits about me...enjoy!
1. I read a magazine from the back to the front.
2. I cant eat gluten, beef, dairy or yeast.. yeah...its pretty horrible.
3. I am a "People's Court" junkie.
4. I almost died in a Florida swamp when I was a senior in high school.
5. I am a really good roller skater. I used to work as a floor guard at a roller rink.
6. My husband and boys love to fish, but I HATE fish. I gagged down the first fish my eldest son caught so he would know I was proud of his 'catch'.
7. I am a word game nerd. I love boggle, text twist and just about any word game there is.
8. I sing opera, but I love ROCK! I have seen Bon Jovi, The Stones, The Eagles and Aerosmith in concert.
9. My mom and I were once kicked out of the ballet for laughing at one of the male dancers. He was horrible!
10. All three of my boys were born nearly 2 months premature, but still weighed nearly 7 pounds.
11. I take a bubble bath every night.
12. I have a weakness for Dark Chocolate.
13. I have insomnia and lay in bed for hours every night before I finally fall asleep.
14. I am a bookworm. I LOVE to read and can't put a book down once I start. I read the Twilight series in a week. My children suffered a little I am sure.
15. I used to barrel race my horse when I was 12.
16. I have been bitten by a rattlesnake.
17. I once toured London England by myself in the rain.
18. I love hockey and am the first on my feet screaming during a fight.
19. I used to make up commercials in the mirror when I was younger. I think some of them had potential.
20. I love grilled onions, but won't eat them if they are crunchy or raw.
21. I have seen ghosts and am scared of the dark. When my husband is away camping I don't sleep at all.
22. I have lost count of the number of times I have moved. I think it is near 50.
23. I would love to write a book someday.
24. My eyes are green when I cry.
25. I have been a nun five different times on stage.
What are some fun tidbits about you? Share them below.
1. I read a magazine from the back to the front.
2. I cant eat gluten, beef, dairy or yeast.. yeah...its pretty horrible.
3. I am a "People's Court" junkie.
4. I almost died in a Florida swamp when I was a senior in high school.
5. I am a really good roller skater. I used to work as a floor guard at a roller rink.
6. My husband and boys love to fish, but I HATE fish. I gagged down the first fish my eldest son caught so he would know I was proud of his 'catch'.
7. I am a word game nerd. I love boggle, text twist and just about any word game there is.
8. I sing opera, but I love ROCK! I have seen Bon Jovi, The Stones, The Eagles and Aerosmith in concert.
9. My mom and I were once kicked out of the ballet for laughing at one of the male dancers. He was horrible!
10. All three of my boys were born nearly 2 months premature, but still weighed nearly 7 pounds.
11. I take a bubble bath every night.
12. I have a weakness for Dark Chocolate.
13. I have insomnia and lay in bed for hours every night before I finally fall asleep.
14. I am a bookworm. I LOVE to read and can't put a book down once I start. I read the Twilight series in a week. My children suffered a little I am sure.
15. I used to barrel race my horse when I was 12.
16. I have been bitten by a rattlesnake.
17. I once toured London England by myself in the rain.
18. I love hockey and am the first on my feet screaming during a fight.
19. I used to make up commercials in the mirror when I was younger. I think some of them had potential.
20. I love grilled onions, but won't eat them if they are crunchy or raw.
21. I have seen ghosts and am scared of the dark. When my husband is away camping I don't sleep at all.
22. I have lost count of the number of times I have moved. I think it is near 50.
23. I would love to write a book someday.
24. My eyes are green when I cry.
25. I have been a nun five different times on stage.
What are some fun tidbits about you? Share them below.
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