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| Online Resources for Music Teachers |
| posted by: Alix | May 24, 2012, 03:43 PM |
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Being a good music educator requires more than just teaching the notes on a page. Music is a subject that is likely to be labeled as “old school” because – let’s face it – playing the violin does not involve a username or password. In this age of MP3 players and online radio, music educators are finding great ways to engage music students by bringing technology into the classroom. Music educators have a wealth of information available to them on the internet to help keep the music classroom on the “cutting edge.” Teachers looking to teach students about the symphony orchestra, composers, and instruments have an invaluable resource in the Dallas Symphony Orchestra for Kids (DSO Kids) and the New York Philharmonic for Kids (NY Phil Kidzone). On the DSO Kids page, teachers can refer students to music history trivia games, mini music theory lessons, and even instructions on how to build homemade instruments. The NY Phil Kidzone page allows students to write their own music, hear the music of many different composers, and gain an understanding of what the orchestra is. Although these websites are fun for students while at home or in the computer lab, they are great resources for interactive classroom learning, too! Another great resource for music educators to consult in teaching students (particularly young students) about musical instruments is Color Me Good. This website has other topics available, but it’s great for music teachers because of the variety of musical instruments that can be printed and colored. DSO Kids also offers a virtual tour of the orchestra hall, which is a great way for students to see where the various instruments are situated in the orchestra. Teachers might even entertain showing students a clip of a symphony orchestra playing so that students can see the orchestra in action. Classics for Kids is another great tool for music teachers who are looking for a little bit of everything to share with their music students. This website provides a composer timeline, a musical dictionary, and a tremendous music listening room. New teachers might appreciate this website because it provides sample lesson plans that could easily be modified to suit different classrooms. In addition to “meeting” composers like Mozart, students can also “meet” conductors and performers to learn what it’s like being a professional musician. At the Suzuki Association website, educators can learn a little bit more about the Suzuki Method of teaching music. As teachers are aware, good teaching requires reflection, and looking at the teaching philosophies of other pedagogies, like the Suzuki Method, might enable a teacher to be more effective. On the Suzuki Association website, teachers can read topics on the Suzuki Association blog, seek out trainings, and find good summer music programs to recommend to interested students. Are you a general music or instrumental music teacher? Do you have any go-to resources to share? How do you keep your classroom “cutting edge?” Comment below.
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