MUSIC 182
MUSIC IN THE ELEMENTARY CLASSROOM
Spring 2011
Instructor: Janna Kisner
724-627-7190 or 724-833-0946
jkisner8@mix.wvu.edu
Office hours: available by email
General Requirements
Access to the course website
Daily monitoring of a WVU MIX account email
Computer microphone and camera capabilities for video and audio communication
We will be using free online resources for this course. No textbook required
Two required face-to-face Saturday class sessions in Room 440 of the CAC in Morgantown:
February 26 and April 9 (weather make-up date will be March 5)
Course Description and Rationale
Do not worry if you do not have music experience. You can still do very well in this class.
Music 182 is designed to prepare future classroom teachers to include music in the elementary classroom.
An active approach to class sessions will engage students in ensemble experiences and creative projects
that involve listening, singing, playing instruments and moving to music. By engaging in music as a
performer, creator, and listener, students will be exposed to a varied repertoire of children’s poems,
stories, songs, movement games, and recordings that are appropriate for use in the elementary classroom.
Students in M182 will learn in the same way children do…..through hands-on experience in our face-toface sessions as well as through interactive online music sites and technology tools.
Course Outcomes
Course experiences and assignments will provide students with opportunities to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
MAKE MUSIC - Demonstrate basic musical skills of group singing, moving, listening,
creating, reading and performing on classroom instruments.
GATHER RESOURCES - Assemble a varied repertoire of songs, poems, stories, and
recordings to use in early childhood/elementary classrooms.
READ AND WRITE – Read current literature in the field of music education and
examine possible connections between music and other disciplines such as literature,
language arts, history, culture, math, nature, and science.
TEACH - Develop a foundation for planning and leading musical activities in the early
childhood/elementary classrooms.
IMAGINE - Reflect on the important role music plays in children’s lives and imagine a
future elementary classroom that includes music every day.
Course Requirements
Discussion Board - Read, Write, and Respond: Weekly discussion board prompts will be
posted using free online reading assignments and web searches.
Music Making: Explore free interactive online technology tools to practice your own music
making. Computer audio and video capabilities required (camera and microphone)
Organize: Set up a portfolio of your class work in free Wikispace and Delicious accounts
Creative Projects. You will complete in-class group projects that are designed to promote collaboration,
ensemble, musicianship, performance and presentation skills. These projects will include using
classroom percussion, moving to music, drama, and singing and will be developed in class. (face-to-face
session attendance required)
Teaching Projects/Presentations. You will have an opportunity to develop lessons that will prepare you
to use music in the elementary classroom “every day.” Working with a partner or small group, you will
select and lead experiences with peers during in-class presentations that involve singing, moving,
listening, and playing instruments. Each teaching project will emphasize curricular connections, such as
music and…poetry/literature, science/nature, culture/history, drama/movement and visual art. (More
detailed guidelines forthcoming.)
Point system
Discussion Board – 14 weeks @10points
Online Music Making Projects
In-class Creative Projects (attendance required – 2@ 40)
Teaching Projects and Presentations (2 @ 20)
Organize Wikispace and Delicious Portfolios
TOTAL
140
90
80
40
50
400
Grades
A
A-
376-400 points
360-375 points
(90-100%)
B+
B
B-
347–359 points
331-346 points
320-330 points
(80-89%)
C+
C
C-
307-319 points
291–306 points
280-290 points
(70-79%)
D+
D
DF
267-279 points
251-266 points
240-250 points
239 or fewer points
(60-69%)
(59% and below)
Course Policies
Participation/Attendance. Because Music 182 is based on a participatory-learning approach, your
attendance and participation in class sessions are vital to your success in this course. Contributions to
class discussion, participation in group planning and creative projects, and support for peer teaching
presentations are essential to your learning and success in Music 182. Your approach to this class is a
direct reflection of your professional commitment to your future as an educator.
Days of Special Concern: WVU recognizes the diversity of its students and the needs of those who wish
to be absent from class to participate in Days of Special Concern, which are listed in the Schedule of
Courses. Students should notify instructors by the end of the second week of classes or prior to the first
Day of Special Concern, whichever is earlier, regarding Day of Special Concern observances that will
affect their attendance. Further, students must abide by the attendance policy of their instructors as stated
in their syllabi. Faculty will make reasonable accommodation for tests or field trips that a student misses
as a result of observing a Day of Special Concern
Communication. Communication about course assignments and any updates to the schedule and
assignments will be done through e-mail. E-mail is the best way to reach the instructor with any
questions or concerns you may have.
Written work/deadlines: Unless otherwise indicated, all work must be done on a word processor and
typing is to be double-spaced. Submission of assignments via email will not be the “norm” but may be
acceptable under certain circumstances. Check the course calendar for due dates. Late submissions will
be accepted at the discretion of the instructor and may not receive full credit.
Electronic devices: All electronic devices must be turned off and kept out of sight for the full duration of
each class meeting.
Academic dishonesty: Students in this course are expected to honor the university’s policies on cheating,
plagiarizing, and misrepresenting their work. Students will receive a “zero” for work that has been
tainted by any kind of dishonesty.
Social Justice: In keeping with the university’s commitment to social justice, my goal is to foster a
learning environment based upon open communication, mutual respect, and non-discrimination. Our
university does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, disability, veteran status, religion, sexual
orientation, color or national origin. If you are a person with a disability and anticipate needing any type
of accommodation in order to participate in this class, please advise me and make appropriate
arrangements with Disability Services (293-6700).