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In this blog post, Bernadette describes the scenarios and performing experiences she has provided for her students. She focuses on the aspect of student confidence and how performance can build confidence.

I enjoy building things myself and feel confident that I could create this IWB and pen.  The IWB has numerous applications in the music classroom including all students viewing the score and circling the parts you are working on and how they relate to the whole selection.  

This is a discussion by New York Times columnist, David Brooks, and Kathy Fletcher, and the director of Turnaround Arts Initiative about the important work that Turnaround Arts does through the strategic use of the arts. The discussion talks about how music facilitates brain development, why certain things in music leave people fascinated, and what magic music brings to emotion. The discussion also unfolds how the arts, and music education in particular opens the student's mind to memorisation. David Brooks says "Students understand better when topics are introduced through music". I agree with that because most students become more alert when a topic is introduced through song and it fosters the interest of students. Therefore we need arts to succeed in education. A lot of artists came from struggling backgrounds so when they talk to children that would like to succeed in the music world but are frightened that they'll never make it, they tell them "I know what you are going through but you can make it". This encourages those children to push on and excel in the arts. Kathy Fletcher says music boosts critical thinking and confidence which is ideal for students and they end up excelling in all other fields. The arts connect us all through music in a way that music created is shared all around the world. Partnerships are created to perform music and people come together to listen to music. This makes us one.

This is an ear training game using a "matching card" format. It looks simple and almost boring, however, once a person starts playing the game it becomes very interesting, This is well suited for middle school as it does not appear to "babyish".

Note pair is an online music game designed to help children read music notes easily and quickly. This game helps children learn to read music notes step by step, at their own pace. A child listens to a note, and tries to match it to a similar note. This ear training computer game lets you learn music notes and their pitches. Students and pupils who play a musical instrument as a child have a better verbal memory than those with no music training. Aural listening skills enhance brain development and students who listen more to music are calm, critical thinkers, and confident. Introducing such a game as a lesson starter even for classes that are not learning music fosters concentration and interest of the learners. Their brain becomes alert and ready to take in any information.

I like this particular blog post about being confident in teaching improvisation. It breaks down some great ideas for keeping everyone engaged and growing.

Getting students to improvise is sometimes a very tricky task--lending itself as one of the most difficult challenges we face as teachers; however, author Steve Treseler provides a concise list of 10 steps, or strategies, for approaching the aforementioned topic with students, which includes but is not limited to building community through improvised games, choosing a piece that remains in one key center, and teaching all students the melody. By following these 10 easy steps, Treseler is convinced that students will receive the support they need to perform with confidence.

Resource for UF Masters in Music Education. This site is helpful to read, connect, collaborate, and steal great idea through blogs. I always gain a sense of confidence when I see that other educators are having similar issues that I am but more importantly dealing with them in similar ways. Lesson planning, resources are easily accessed through blogs such as these!

Teaching middle school students HOW to practice

This is an interesting read that was linked on Dr. Bauer's resources discussing the connections of arts and common core standards.

This informative Edutopia article by blogger and professor Karin Nolan encourages educators about the simplicity about integrating their current teaching approach and curriculum structure with a standards-based curriculum. You do not have be a musician to satisfy the standards either.

This is a great article for the classroom teacher who is looking arts integrated lessons.

Helpful insight on starting your beginning band students.

Helpful insight on starting your beginning band students.

MusicTheory.net is a free resource that provides lessons and practice on music theory concepts. Lessons include musical concepts such as note names, meter, scales, key signatures, intervals, chords, chord progressions and more. Each lessons comes with exercises that provide an opportunity for students to gain confidence with the concept at hand. Exercises can be personalized to the students knowledge and ability.

Musictheory.net is a free and powerful online resource for teachers who are looking lessons, student exercises or other learning tools. Teachers can browse various lessons that cover topics ranging from the basics of the staff to understanding complex time signatures. The lessons on this website can prove to be useful for all levels of music education.

Musictheory.net is a great resource for students to learn about music theory and explore learning more on their own. The lessons and exercises are well-crafted and of great quality. The recent addition of apps for lessons and exercises provides a great low-cost option for students to continue learning on their own, but also allows for classrooms to be equipped with the apps for low costs, assuming that iPads are available.

A TED talk by Jody Espina, saxophonist and industry professional who founded JodyJazz Inc. Jody talks about creativity in all walks of life, and that the fear of taking risks and learning from our mistakes are important to growing as musicians and individuals.