Ashley Hoke

September 13, 2014

Student Teaching
Reflective Journal
My first week and a half has been great! Even though I've just been observing,
giving some pointers to the students, and helping where needed, it's been fun! I've been
able to listen to the arts staff, and school staff, about what to look for when I finish
student teaching and start working. I've heard things about DPS, and have seen how
politics plays a role in the way education is today. It's not the greatest situation, but, that's
neither here, nor there.
There are 5 classes I will be over; Beginning Theory, Jazz Vocal, Harmony (solo
& ensemble), Vision (male chorus), and Concert choir. Beginning theory is a large group,
because there are 9th and 10th grade students. They are pretty talkative, but that's
expected a little. I got to have the class to myself Thursday, because Mrs. Valentine had
some business to handle at home. Of course, they treated me like a sub. But we got our
work done as needed. I could've been more aggressive, but chose not to this time. I
explained to them that their academic classes play into music. I focused on physics
dealing with sound waves and acoustics. I did that to show them that the slightest noise in
that room carries. I was trying to take a different approach about their noise level and
talking besides just constantly telling them to be quiet. Mrs. V later confirmed that
Friday. Before the class was over, someone bullied a young lady and caused her to fall
off of the riser with her chair. Apparently someone sabotaged her chair, and kicked it,
causing her to fall. When I looked over, she was in mid fall with what looked to be a
smile on her face. So, my first instinct was to tell them to stop playing around cause

someone can get hurt. I didn't get up immediately. She looked as though she was fine
because of some of her actions. However, when the students went to help her up, they
said she was crying. That's when I went to try to tend to her. She couldn't tell me what
happened due to the crying. Those around her that we're helping her didn't know exactly
who did what. They just said someone behind her or in front of her kicked her chair. I
asked them to make sure she got to the office. By then, the bell had rung, and I couldn't
address the class. We, Mrs. V and I, later found out that that young lady had been bullied
anther previous school and almost tried to commit suicide.
Jazz Vocal was next. They pretty much handled themselves. One of the young
ladies who are running for the class secretary position took attendance for me. I informed
them of what Mrs. V wanted them to do that hour. They pretty much complied. There
was a senior that was out of uniform who I made get dressed properly. He then came
back in the class and started eating. I calmly went to him and he stopped eating after our
polite exchange. It was to show him that, just because Mrs. V wasn't present, and I seem
nice, doesn't mean that he could do what he wants. I wasn't completely alone in that class.
The accompanist was there as well.
In Vision, Mrs. V did quartet testing on Lift Every Voice and Sing verses 2 & 3.
The majority didn't do too well because they didn't listen to her. They figured they had
time because she didn't tell them when she was going to do it. This may have been on
Wednesday.
Friday, Mrs. V addressed the Theory class about the incident before it was over.
She later had to address Concert choir about the prank they're doing on the freshmen
voice majors. They we're play jumping them.

Tuesday after school, I did the physical warmups. They liked what I did. They
just don't realize that I went easy on them. We stretched, and did 25 jumping-jax and
push-ups in increments of 5. I think next week, they will start running up and down the
steps, according to Mrs. V.
So far, I've gotten some great information career wise. I've also gotten warmup
ideas, and classroom management ideas. I really like the phones in the basket idea. That's
where the students place their phones in the basket on the piano at the beginning of class,
and get them before they leave. I've also watched her set up the grading scale on the
computer. I need to see the attendance sheet. DSA is also using Google Drive to submit
their lesson plans. They also have their own format where they play by week, instead of
by day.