TPE Domain E (5)

Creating and Maintaining Effective Environments for Student Learning.

TPE 10:  instructional Time

Candidates for a Teaching Credential allocate instructional time to maximize student achievement in relation to state-adopted academic content standards for students, instructional goals and scheduled academic tasks.  They establish procedures for routine tasks and manage transitions to maximize instructional time.  Based on reflection and consultation, they adjust the use of instructional time to optimize the learning opportunities and outcomes for all students.

TPE 11:  Social Environment

Candidates for a Teaching Credential develop and maintain clear expectations for academic and social behavior.  The candidates promote student effort and engagement and create a positive climate for learning.  They know how to write and implement a student discipline plan.  They know how to establish rapport with all students and their families for supporting academic and personal success through caring, respect, and fairness.  Candidates respond appropriately to sensitive issues and classroom discussions.  They help students learn to work responsibly with others and independently. Based on observations of students and consultation with other teachers, the candidate recognizes how well the social environment maximizes academic achievement for all students and makes necessary changes.

Artifact 1:  Student Music Skills and Technology Assignment- Making a Music Video

Artifact one is a video multimedia project created by a student.  Artifact one is evidence of teaching as the students have taken the requirements of the class project and produces a video with a performance including skills adopted from the music class.  The students are thriving in a successful musical environment and are able to transfer that knowledge off-campus- the goal of long term learning. Artifact one relates to Domain E as Domain E discusses the importance of a thriving learning atmosphere and the maximization of instructional time.  

Artifact 2:  Classroom Environment Design

Artifact two is a series of classroom photos to capture evidence of the social environment within which my music students learn.  The classroom displays the materials needed in order to conduct multiple daily ensembles.  The photos also show the variety of posters and equipment that make the room a comfortable yet educational atmosphere.  It is expected that ‘teachers know how to establish rapport with all students and their families for supporting academic and personal success through caring, respect, and fairness’ (The California Teaching Performance Expectations (TPEs), 2012, p. 15).  Artifact two relates to Domain E as Domain E discusses the importance of a strong learning environment with clear rules and consistent patterns.

Artifact 3:  BTSA Classroom Management Guides

Artifact three includes a series of classroom management documents retrieved from a BTSA classroom management training.  These elements are staples for every classroom as no matter the subject, the class needs an accepting, educational, and structured atmosphere with guidelines that give a path down any possible discipline incident, classroom procedure, and event.  There are many commonalities between classrooms despite the vast differences in teaching styles and subjects.  These commonalities must be researched and prepared for in advance.  Artifact three relates to Domain E as Domain E discusses the importance of a structured learning environment with again, clear rules and consistent patterns.

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Artifact 4: Literature Review:  “Finding Inspiration in Middle School General Music” 

Artifact four chosen for TPE Domain E is a review of supporting literature entitled “Finding Inspiration in Middle School General Music” from the GeneralMusicToday Journal in 2011 by Elizabeth McAnally. This article is important and was selected for TPE Domain E, as mentioned in the above literature review, as it is related to the content within the domain such as  social environment and instructional time.    It is extremely important to not only maintain a physical environment of a classroom but a mental environment.  Middle school students are going from childhood to adulthood and artistic expression is prevalent- a music classroom is commonly safe place where middle school students can be where they are comfortable and able to express themselves.  How can the music educator best prepare this environment and instruction time to cater to each student?

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Article number two to be discussed is for TPE Domain E is entitled “Finding Inspiration in Middle School General Music” from the General Music Today Journal in 2011 by Elizabeth McAnally.  Elizabeth McAnally ‘is a general music teacher and choral director at Woodrow Wilson Middle School in Philadelphia, PA and is the author of another middle school music article’ (McAnally, 2011).

This article was selected for TPE Domain E as it discusses the importance of the music classroom atmosphere.  Middle school students are at a critical point of change between childhood and adulthood and the artistic zone within which they are contained must provide a safe, engaging, and fun space for these minds to do an enormous of growing.  It is the teacher’s responsibility to not only create a great physical classroom atmosphere but also a platform of all elements related to atmosphere such as character, professional development, problem-solving skills, mental health and exceptionality assessment and modification and adaptations, procedures and classroom management, and excellent music education to only name a few.

            This article ‘discusses how to work with rather than against adolescents' age appropriate characteristics when planning content, process, assessment, and classroom environment and  offers a brief description of thematic study from the author’s own general music classroom, through which students explore five composers and the inspiration for their work” (McAnally, 2011).  The introduction of the article discusses common belief’s regarding the author’s position as a middle school music teacher.  McAnally discusses how to make positive the common middle-school characteristics such as inquisition and widespread tendencies.

            The next part of the article discusses that “as music educators, we all strive for vibrant, exciting lessons, where students participate eagerly in making and learning about music, ask and answer challenging questions, and find meaningful connections between music and their lives” and suggests that we can achieve these goals by properly planning and maximizing the components of content (what), process (how), assessment (how), and environment (what) (McAnally, 2011).   Content, process, assessment, and environment are then discussed in full throughout the article.

            The discussion of four key components of a successful middle school music program starts with content.  The article mentions that although there are standards, there is no list of required repertoire, therefore there is an enormous amount of material with which teachers can work which brings the article to the key content point of the importance of diversity.  The component of process which highlights the importance of engaging material to keep the students busy, learning, and interested as well as allowing students to become someone of their own identity.  Assessment suggests that “rather than relying strictly on traditional paper-and pencil tests, assessment embedded in instruction is a particularly helpful tool” (McAnally, 2011).  The component of environment is discussed last and states that “a productive and inspiring middle school music room is characterized by an underlying, consistent layer of respect” (McAnally, 2011). 

            The final part of the article discusses the author’s thoughts regarding projects that inspire the students.  The article discusses the students studying five composers and how they are inspired by this project.  It concludes with the author reiterating her high quality of work-life and that the use of the components and inspiration will set a strong foundation for success.