Week 2 Reflection

Devan Whaley

1. I think that this second week has gone rather well. I do attendance at the start of every
class so that I have the chance to learn all of the students names. The students have
made it easy because Mrs. Briggs has taught them to call their names in alphabetical
order so that I can follow along. Generally after this I do a run of everyone's name by
section in the class. I have only fully succeeded in the 8th grade because it has the
smallest class. But generally throughout all of the classes I am missing 5-8 names so I
think that I will have them all by next week. There were no significant bad events, at
least ones that happen in my music classes. A few of the boys in our zero hour “connect”
are constantly just trying to derail the class and make snide remarks under their breath
to get laughs from their friends. I found out that one of my 8th graders is a known
troublemaker to all of the other teachers. This came as a surprise to me because I didn’t
even have a clue that he was like that with anyone else. In our class he works well with
everyone, never shuts down, and doesn’t bring a negative attitude. I definitely learned
that students will treat you how you treat them.

2. One objective that I think we hit in class with the 8th graders was Leadership. I
explained to them that the 7th graders absolutely hate on of our combined songs, March
of the Dragons. The 8th grade loved it so I asked how they think they can influence the
7th graders when we begin our combined rehearsals. They came up with a few ways
that they can point out things that they like about the piece to trick the 7th graders into
liking it as well. External Social Forces definitely hits home when I am with the 8th
graders. One of them that has made some poor decisions and gotten himself suspended
for 3 days recently is almost always late for Connect. We have a rule that 3 tardies at all
is an after school detention. I have found out he is late because his mother is trying to
get him an after school detention so that she doesn’t have to pick him up. As you can
imagine he has some anger issues. But in our classroom we allow him to move around
how he wants, and he does say some positive things. He can be strange sometimes and
says some sad, negative things, but he doesn’t make poor decisions in our class.
3.
a. The organization of the physical space is the typical band room. One center
podium and three half circles organize students by instrument. Since my time in
the classroom, I taped down rows where students can put their chairs to make
sure it will always be the three rows(the 6th grade has a habit of making random
rows and lines). With this tape I have created a center aisle so that I can help
more students instead of having to walk behind the band.
b. Some students have selected instruments to be near their friends, which is great
for building interest, but can be a nuisance when they want to talk with their
friends rather than work with the class. In this case I simply have two students
switch spots.
c. I am extremely lucky to have Abby Briggs as my Mentor, she has allowed me to
make whatever changes I wanted to try with the students: taped rows, changing
the percussion section, binders for some students(I am now going to offer
organization for any student who brings me a binder for their music).