Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
Department of Music
MUU 390/391
Clinical Experience and Practicum
Approved by Department: November 4, 2003
Course Description
Student teaching is the culminating experience of the undergraduate Music Education program. It
provides the student with the opportunity to observe professional music teachers and to participate in the
music education program of the school. The student teaching semester is divided into two segments, one at
the elementary level (K-6) and the other at the secondary level. These are interchangeable. At some point
during these placements the student teacher will have experience with general, vocal/choral, and
instrumental music instruction. The student teacher is expected to participate in planning and teaching
lessons in all of these areas. The Practicum is a seminar scheduled concurrently with Student Teaching.
Led by university faculty, students will discuss a variety of subjects, including but not limited to: teaching
strategies, learning theory, classroom and rehearsal management techniques, community resources, and
other pre-professional concerns.
Prerequisites:
Permission of the Department of Music faculty.
7/7 Semester Credit hours
Course Rationale
Student teachers will have the opportunity to apply their knowledge of music content and
methodology in various settings. Evaluation will include written narratives and conferences with the
student, cooperating teacher, and the university supervisor. Assessment will be based on the student's
demonstrated mastery of appropriate strategies and techniques for the teaching of music in various settings.
Course Objectives
The student will be able to:
1. demonstrate an understanding of the nature of the learning processes of typical and exceptional
learners, relative to developmental readiness.
2. demonstrate various strategies for creating and maintaining appropriate classroom management
in various settings.
3. demonstrate sufficient skill in making music--through the playing of instruments, singing,
listening, creating, and moving.
4. articulate a personal philosophy of teaching which includes an understanding of the importance
of professionalism, leadership, and advocacy.
5. utilize a variety of appropriate teaching strategies and evaluation techniques.
Course Outline
A. Student teaching assignments
1. Observation:
a. of the cooperating teacher
b. of the classroom students and environment
c. of the school community
2. [Student] Teaching
a. classroom
1) prepare and teach lessons and units
2) employ appropriate materials and approaches
b. rehearsal
1) prepare and carry out effective rehearsal plans
2) use appropriate management skills
3. Evaluation
a. assessment by the University supervisor
b. assessment by the cooperating teacher
c. self-assessment by the Kutztown University student teacher
B. Practicum
1. Teaching issues (i.e., classroom management/discipline issues)
2. Multicultural issues (i.e., resources, cultural context)
3. Professional issues
a. obtaining certification
b. finding a job
c. community and professional opportunities for music making
d. continuing study
e. professional organizations and obligations
4. Miscellaneous
a. budgeting
b. copyright laws
c. equipment/inventory management
d. resources for music, supplies, instruments
Assessment
Assessment of each student’s level of accomplishment with reference to the course objectives will be based
upon the following:
1. Preparation of a journal which will be evaluated by the university supervisor.
2. Prepared lesson plans and rehearsal plans.
3. Evaluation of teaching techniques by cooperating teachers.
4. Evaluation of teaching techniques by the university supervisor.
5. Self-evaluation by the student teacher.
6. The student teacher must achieve a satisfactory rating on two separate Pennsylvania Statewide
Evaluation Forms for Student Professional Knowledge and Practice – PDE-430.
7. The student teacher must achieve a minimum of “C” in both assignments of student teaching
(MUU 390/391) to successfully complete the program.
Instructional Resources
Althouse, Jay. Copyright: The Complete Guide for Music Educators, 2nd. ed. Reston, VA: Music
Educators National Conference, 1997.
Anderson, William and Patricia Campbell. Multicultural Perspectives in Music Education, 2nd ed.
Reston, VA: Music Educators National Conference, 1996.
Anderson, William and Marvelene Moore. Making Connections: Multicultural Music and the National
Standards (book and cd). Reston, VA: Music Educators National Conference, 1996.
Barrett, Janet et al. Sound Ways of Knowing: Music in the Interdisciplinary Curriculum. New York:
Schirmer Books, 1997.
Boardman, Eunice. Dimensions of Musical Learning and Teaching: A Different Kind of Classroom.
Reston, VA: Music Educators National Conference, 2002.
Brandt, Ronald. Assessing Student Learning: New Rules, New Realities. Reston, VA: MENC, 1998.
Campbell, Patricia Shehan. Lessons from the World: A Cross-Cultural Guide to Music Teaching and
Learning. New York: Schirmer Books, 1991.
Doerksen, David. Guide to Evaluating Teachers of Music Performance Groups. Reston, VA: Music
Educators National Conference, 2002.
Hansen, Dee. Handbook for Music Supervision. Reston,VA: Music Educators National Conference,
2002.
Gardner, Howard. Frames of Mind: A Theory of Multiple Intelligences. New York: Basic Books, 1983.
Goethals, M.and Howard, R. Student Teaching: A Process Approach to Reflective Practice. Englewood
Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2000.
Kantorski, Vincent. A Bibliography of Source Readings in Music Education. Warren, Mich.: Harmonie
Park Press, 1997.
Lehman, Paul, ed. Teaching Examples: Ideas for Music Educators. Reston, VA: MENC, 1994.
Madsen, Clifford, ed. Vision 2020: The Housewright Symposium on the Future of Music Education.
Reston, VA: Music Educators National Conference, 2002.
MENC Committee on Standards. Guidelines for Performances of School Music Groups. Reston, VA:
MENC, 1986.
MENC. Scheduling Time for Music. Reston,VA: MENC, 1995.
MENC. Teacher Success Kit: How to Succeed in Music Education (CD-ROM). Reston, VA: MENC,
2002.
Moore, Marvelene, et al. Classroom Management in General, Choral, and Instrumental Music Programs.
Reston, VA: Music Educators National Conference, 2002.
Music Educators Journal. Reston, VA: MENC.
National Standards for Arts Education. Reston, VA: MENC, 1994.
Reimer, Bennett, ed. World Musics and Music Education: Facing the Issues. Reston, VA: MENC, 1998.
Scheduling Time for Music. Reston, VA: Music Educators National Conference, 1995.
Sobel, Elise. An Attitude and Approach for Teaching Music to Special Learners. New York: Pentland
Press, 2001.
Taylor, Jack, et al. Music and Students at Risk: Creative Solutions for a National Dilemma. Reston, VA:
Music Educators National Conference, 1997.
Teacher Success Kit: How to Succeed in Music Education (CD-ROM). Reston, VA: Music Educators
National Conference, 2002.