Diane

How do inquiry based experiences create independent learners in our discipline?

What does is mean to be an independant learner? What happens when students are given the opportunity to take part in all aspects of putting on a concert/show? How does that effect independant learning?


 * Summary: This year I used inquiry learning as a springboard for student independence. My students took over the planning, design preparation as well as the performance of the concert. My students did everything from choosing music and conducting to the layout of the stage and lighting and order of the show as well as the concert programs and advertising. **
 * I have found that my students learned to find resource help from each other, parents and teachers. This broadened their learning because students utilized many sources and I feel that the concerts were a great collaborative learning opportunity. Parents and the community loved the shows. **

The holiday show setup.


 * Students started doing more than planning the concerts. They planned workshops and trips to the opera. Some took on the task of learning to conduct and they conducted music in the concert; others collaborated in the planning choreography for some of the songs. My students took on all aspects for the concert including lining up a teacher to supervise the greenroom for during the concert. (My students felt that they would be more relaxed if there was an adult in the greenroom, so they lined up the teacher.) **

From days in the classroom improvising to an opera matinee.

African Circle Drumming Workshop

Vocal Workshop with Mr. Atkins

Planning and preparing for the concerts

This has been an incredible opportunity it has been for me to be part of the Art Ed 2.0 grant project. This project as let me grow and become a better teacher; one willing to look at new possibilities. Look for solutions in collaboration with my students as well as with great teachers in and out of the grant project. The friends I have made have been a strength to my teaching and technology has been the way to learn and grow from them.