MIENC Music Learning Leadership Institute
2008-2009 Team Certificate Program

Overview

This portfolio explores the connections between rhythm and dance—specifically tap—and the extent to which a musical education can help dancers gain a more thorough understanding and better control of their art. Ultimately, it is about the value of multiple representations (in this case, using physical, verbal, and visual representations as modes of access to rhythm, and rhythm as an additional mode of access to an understanding of dance patterns) in learning. Its core consists of unit and lesson plans, with rationale statements accompanying and explaining these plans.

The extensive and detailed segment on assessment, beginning with slide #39, allows for a clear and objective look at the skills being developed in the unit and lesson plans. This focus on assessment brings a clear picture of the objectives in teaching musical skills for transfer into a related but separate discipline.

Preview J.B.’s Portfolio by Clicking Gallery Thumbnails Below

Overview

Joshua’s portfolio documents a semester of interning at the Atrium School, as well as private studio voice teaching. The majority of the portfolio is comprised of outlines of lesson plans, supplemented with still pictures and videos of teaching. Through this documentation and analysis, Joshua exposes his teaching experiences in areas including basic recorder and introductory solfege, as well as his role in the Creating Opera program.

Of particular interest is the tie-in with the psychological research of Gardner and Medina on slides #29-31. This gives us a clearer picture of why Joshua uses the techniques that he does, and how they affect the learning of the students.

Click gallery thumbnails below to preview J.M.’s Portfolio.

Coming Soon: J.M.’s Portfolio for Download (ZIP file includes videos, etc.)

Overview

The bulk of K.S.’s portfolio focuses on the details of teaching and assessment. It contains detailed examples of assessment rubrics, followed by numerous detailed lesson plans for solo voice lessons as well as group recorder classes. These are all mapped out to an extraordinary degree of precision, providing insight into the specific workings of the educational process. The lesson plans and rubrics are also enhanced by reflections and journal entries that reveal a persona passionate about a “liberal education” that includes music as well as a liberal musical education, one that is broad based and well rounded.

Download K.S.’s portfolio as a PDF (44 MB)