Just a thought… or two…

I was introduced to a great quote this year from our physical education department… “If we do what we’ve always done, we’ll get what we’ve always got!”  With all of the research and technology out there today, there are many other means by which we can organize and deliver content.  Maybe we should refocus our attention on how we can effectively and efficiently deliver content to our current students.  What worked for us may not work for the students of today.  Let’s look at the recent trends, at least in the middle school band arena…”people say” – band student retention is becoming more difficult, students are coming to us with less of a work ethic, parents will even tell you that their child doesn’t have time to practice, we’re fighting the status of the economy and what I affectionately classify as “disposable instruments” (i.e. the Walmart clarinet!), etc. 

These are challenges that we face that many teachers before us may not have seen… we’ve taught the way we were taught and these challenges have arisen.  If we keep teaching the same way and decide not to grow as educators, we’ll start spiraling downward.  Does that mean that we have to toss all rehearsal techniques utilized before 2000 out the window?  No.  What it does mean that we should look at ways to take old techniques and make it more meaningful for this generation so they will want to work, want to practice, want to purchase quality instruments, want to continue in an instrumental ensemble even though there are a plethera of other opportunities for kids these days.   Rather than pointing fingers at students, parents, administrators, etc… maybe we should take the approach of “NOW WHAT?”  What can I do given the time, resources, energy, lack of student motivation, lack of parental support, and schedule conflicts given to me in order to engage all students in learning.  Stop making excuses… make changes.

Melinda Gates told members of the National Conference of State Legislatures in San Francisco last summer, “We must reinvent our high schools so that they give all students a new version of the three R’s: rigor, relationships, and relevance.”

Rigor – exposing students to challenging classwork with academic and social support                 Relationships – Building caring and supportive connections with students, parents, and communities Relevance – demonstrate how students will use this learning

Change doesn’t have to be viewed as a bad thing.  Is it difficult?  Sometimes.  Is it scary?  Maybe.  Should we always examine ourselves to see if we’re doing our best?  Yes.  Should we be lifelong learners?  Yes. 

I have bought into the concept of Rigor, Relationships, and Relevance.  I feel we should push our students to do their very best (rigor).  I believe that a student doesn’t care what you know until they know that you care (relationships).  I feel that we should help students understand why they are learning the content we provide (relevance).  Utilizing these concepts could possibly intrinsically motivate students to continue their quest for musical knowledge outside the confines of our band or music classroom.