Blog Chapter 1

Connecting learning goals, strategies, and curriculum to assessment:
There is an obvious need for this. The need to prove to others (teachers and parents) the importance of the program. But it is also a way to work towards achieving, and adjusting programs based on the needs and abilities of students. Determining learning goals, specifically allows for learning to be able to take place, and accurate assessment. It forces a teacher to have specific goals rather than vague, performance based ideas on where they want to be. Connecting these things is just as beneficial for the teacher as it is for the student because it forces the teacher to be accountable for themselves as well. And by monitoring the work that they are doing, they can better serve the music and it’s purpose.

Philosophy:
Knowledge and learning over performance. Every child needs to come out with a love of music that will carry them through their lives. Learning to love music through understanding.
Because I want to work from a knowledge based standpoint, assessment will be a critical part of it. Some assessment of theory and such will be able to be simple objective-based assessment. However, Authentic expression is also going to be a critical part of their education. My primary goal with assessment will be two fold. First, it will meet my initial desire to give the students a way to keep track of their own progress. Many students need goals, and a way to monitor their progress. So assessment will allow them a way to see where they are at. Because my goals are for each student to work to the best of their ability, assessment will allow them to see where they fit, and give me a way to check their individual progress.