Student B Background Profile

Student “B” is a seventh-grade student who has been playing the flute for two years. “B”

has a natural ability on the flute, has a genuine interest in music, and enjoys singing. “B” learns

quickly, especially information related to music theory and notation, and is capable of answering

all the questions asked during band class, whether it is about notes, rhythms, meaning of words.

“B” likes to learn video game music aurally and demonstrate it to anyone who will listen. They

made it into District Band this past year, which is a great accomplishment. Student “B” practices

very inconsistently, which hinders their musical growth. “B” dislikes playing solo in front of

other people and tends to be shy or simply talk to avoid playing alone, even though they are very

skilled.

Student “B” is a very talkative student but is articulate in the way they speak. “B” needs

some work on learning social skills, such as knowing when it is appropriate to talk and make

comments and when it is not. “B” is pretty creative and an independent learner, but has some

issues staying focused if allowed to practice alone.

In light of “B”’s background, I would modify my teaching by creating extensions that

wind the learning forward. For example, when other students are playing their six-note scale in

quarter notes, I would have “B” play their scale tonguing sixteenth notes on each of the notes or

having them play in a more challenging key. I would also provide a space for “B” to practice

alone and work ahead of in their assignments. I would give “B” a list of additional assignments

and create videos for them to watch and learn new material at faster pace that is more suited to

them. I believe that a list of goals and assignments to complete would be beneficial in keeping

“B” focused while they practice alone. Another idea to modify would be to have “B” learn more
music aurally and record themselves playing what they learned. That way they could listen to

their recording and then compare and contrast it to the recording they were learning aurally from.