Best+Lesson

National Standards: -Responding: Analyze, Interpret, Evaluate

Objective:

When provided with expectations and incentive students will develop a stronger sense of teamwork and rehearsal etiquette

This lesson is a week unit on rehearsal participation and expectations of individual student musicians.

Materials Needed: Expectations Posters, transparent bottles, water, food coloring, paper, and pencils

Day 1: Friday week before competitions.

+Lead discussion about how to have a successful rehearsal. “Based off of what we just talked about, do we always have successful and productive rehearsals?” +Split the ensemble into two equal sized teams. Instruction +On a sheet of paper write down-name of your team, write down everyone’s name, and expectations that you think are important for a productive rehearsal. We aiming for full class participation when forming these lists. +The instructor will form a list of expectations they should follow for Outside of rehearsal work for instructor Look over expectations the students came up with and narrow down them into categories +Design and make posters for the ensemble and podium expectations. -We Respect Each other -Only bring what is needed for rehearsal -Participate and Remain Engaged in Rehearsal -We are Expected to Solve Our Own Problems -We Play with Our Bets Sound and Posture -We Will Work Together to Be the Best We Can Be!!! Podium Expectations -I will Listen to One Person at A Time -I Will Listen to Students Who Raise Their Hand and Wait to Be Called On -I Will Work with an Ensemble That Is Fully Engaged

Day 2: Monday First day of competition

+Present Poster and Explain Rules of Competition -You are rewarded points for applying ensemble expectations that the other team is not. -When a point is earned, 1/4th cup of water will be added to your team’s bottle. -There are no Negative points/points cannot be taken away -Directors will not announce how points were earned. It is each teammates job to diagnose the situation and decide why points were earned and adjust accordingly. -When a student takes the podium, they are to follow podium expectations -The points will be finalized Thursday by the end of rehearsal -Use the next four days to think about and discuss with your team what you want the prize to be.

Competition will take place days 2-5

+Lead rehearsals as normal and observe rehearsal participation +Reward points accordingly +Follow podium expectations

Day 4: Wednesday second to last day of competition +Provide opportunity to class for extra points

“It is important for musicians to know when it is there job to work on music outside of class. For rehearsals to run smoothly, we need to make sure that we are not practicing our own part during rehearsal but rather learning to play together. We should show up to rehearsal ready to play. To work on this concept, we have an optional assignment to earn extra points. If you would like to, you can choose ONE of the expectations on the poster and write a short statement (4-8sentences) about why that expectation is important for a productive rehearsal. Each statement will get ½ point. I do not add half points to the bottles, so to get a full point, you need to have a partner write a stamen too.”

Day 5: Thursday +Collect all written statements and give 1 point for every 2 statements +At the end of rehearsal on Day 4-Thursday, announce the winning team and ask them about the prize they want.

Day 6: Friday +Provide winning team with prize of choice +Provide Everyone with a small treat for hard work and participation +Mix bottles together to show that the whole ensemble is one team that must work together.

This exercise is meant to develop ensembleship and teamwork. For this to be affective, the instructor must be fair with all point rewarding, must hold everyone to the same expectation, and do not make exceptions. Have fun and show them that you care about their progress.