Recording+Self+Asses-+Plan

Lesson Plan for Self Assessment on Recorded Piece :

This lesson plan took place 2 weeks before an adjudication performance for an 8th grade orchestra. The given piece "Burst!" by Brian Balmages had reached a point where the majority of the notes and rhythms are present and now details on dynamics and phrasing are being solidified. The national standards utilized include: Rehearse & Evaluate & Refine, Analyze, and Evaluate.

Learning Target: Self Evaluation of adjudication piece "Burst!"

Lesson Length : 25-35 minutes

Behavioral Learning Objective(s): Students will improve playing on needed sections in "Burst!" and self evaluate a class performance recording of Burst! .

__Sequence of Activities:__

Tune with Dr. Beat one string at a time - mp at the tip * posture check*

Warm up with D major Scale- accented half notes - one octave with a strong forte sound. Sinking into the string (letting arm weight and gravity assist- do not force or push).

Rehearsal of struggling sections in Burst! - correcting obvious wrong or out of tune notes/ rhythms

Run-Through of Piece performance style. (students are in ready position when conductor arrives to podium, Instruments and bows up when conductor's hands are up and set - breathing together on upbeat )

Press record on audio or video recording device then Play a Run-Through of Piece. Then, Press Stop on recording.

Then listen to recording once as a class without taking notes - for overall sound.

Listen again after students have written prompted questions in a notebook (shown just below) : Students answer written questions during second hearing.

How is the overall sound of the group? Did we stay together?

Can you hear your section? If so, is it in tune and with the rest of the orchestra?

What is one thing you can improve in your own playing to help the overall success of the ensemble?

Recap of which musical aspects still need to be solidified. And predict how the performance will go for the adjudication judges. Encourage slow and careful practice in small segments- then combine the segments. Encourage taking ownership of the music and to not let other students "do all the work".