6th Grade PLC!

It's finally here! The new band schedule is beginning! I am thrilled, and looking forward to seeing all of you today!

6th graders, there is a LOT to do and only 75 minutes to do it. We need to stay on task.

Volunteers will make sure everyone has a copy of Wipe Out. When you come in, I will again have a recording of it playing, so quietly come in, take your instrument out and get your music and have a seat where you sat last week. While waiting for volunteers to make sure everyone has a copy, listen to the tune and try and follow along in your music. I will also do attendance quietly while you are listening and getting set up (5 - 10 min). Here is the attendance procedure: as you walk in the band spread sheet will be on the cabinet by the door. Please put a check next to your name, get your instrument out, and have a seat. 


I will conduct and do some direct teaching at the beginning of the period. 15 (min)  But then it will be time for a student conductor! 

Conducting Lesson: I will teach a conducting lesson: how to conduct in 4/4 time at loud, soft, and medium volumes and at various tempos. (10 min) You you will ALL conduct! Then volunteers will come up to conduct the band on Wipe Out. I will go around the room and play the various instruments with you. (10 min) 

At this point we will discuss student selected pieces. Each section will have a meeting. Your job in your group is to generate 2 songs that are appropriate for band that you would like to play this year. (5 minutes)
After our meeting we will report out. Each section will have a reporter. We will generate a list of pieces. (5 minutes)

I will use this list of pieces to generate a google survey which I will email to you so you can vote on which pieces you would like to play. First though I will do research to make sure they are available for band, are appropriate for our learning objectives, and also are at our difficulty level.

After we enjoy our discussion it will be time to play again. I call this part of the rehearsal "Assessment Time!"

You will play and I will conduct. We will be making a recording of ourselves playing "Wipe Out" using the iPad. I then will connect the iPad to the band room stereo and we will hear ourselves playing "Wipe Out."

I will share with you at this point our 4 point rating scale, the descriptors, and what they mean. YOU will be rating our performance, and giving me a list of things we can improve upon. You are leaders, and you need to exercise leadership if this band is to be everything it can be. We will use this list to drive future rehearsals on this piece.

If there is time remaining, with student conductors we will begin to address the weaknesses we identified. At the end of rehearsal I will share a Google form with you asking you what you learned in rehearsal today. You will use your device to fill out the form before leaving.