Christopher Hoddinott
Music Teacher / Educator
Extended Essay and Personal Project Coordinator
Grade 9 Level Leader
Musician
Academic
Artist
Likes Tea
Extended Essay and Personal Project Coordinator
Grade 9 Level Leader
Musician
Academic
Artist
Likes Tea
I am happy that EARCOS has published my article on Learning Spaces for their latest Triannual Journal.
To read the article you can find it here. http://www.earcos.org/ad_magazine.php
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Thank you to all who came to the festival of lights concert on the 12th December 2018. Despite the rain it was a great success. With fantastic performances from all of our students. Concerts like this take months of preparation and it is a momentous achievement for students to keep their composure for it to come together on the night. The line up included individual performances of Romantic, Rock, and Musical Pieces. And the Guitar ensembles from Grade 9 and 10 who performed Somewhere over the Rainbow - Harold Arlen Home on the Range - Daniel E.Kelley Gymnopedie I - Erik Satie, Bach Canon - J.S. Bach Lemon - Kenshi Yonezu and Wake Me Up - Avicii. We look forward to seeing you at our next Musical event in March. To see more photos.app.goo.gl/vM6xyMyJo4tsKrAc6
As a music teacher, I am a believer in the power of music. One of these powers is the ability to affect how we feel and our mood. Our mood can also greatly effects our classrooms, a teachers reaction contributes to how a students reacts and ultimately performs in a class.
It is a simple step but works, Taking a minute or two to practice mindfulness by listening to relaxing music can help us to contemplate, reflect and reevaluate our moods. I use the music whilst marking, break time etc. I even put some of this music on whilst students enter the classroom. It helps them to listen and realign and focus on the lesson. The following playlist is some of the music I have chosen. I put this together thus that can help ourselves to relax and put into perspective some of those stresses that happen over the school day, thus our mood and influence on the class is better The exam period can cause many students anxiety and stress. Lots of that is due to the bad habits that they pick up. Even more so when there are so many distractions. Many students already know what the good and bad habits are. It is a case of reminding them and trying to come up with solutions to break the bad habits. Students in my year level were asked in groups to reflect on what are good study habits they have and which bad habits they have. They were then asked to pin up their work and discuss the ideas of the other groups. Students were able to discuss and understand what good habits they need to employ but also what stops them studying. They can understand what the good habits are.
Their list included; Good Habits
Bad Habits include
The G12 students are deep in studying their set works for the IB exam. Having completed the study of the Bach Brandenburg concerto. I thought it would be useful to do some open book exam questions with the G12 students and how to approach the section A question.
This is quite a general explanation of how to approach the question. However, the simple steps should help students develop their practices and focus their time when in a pressured environment. IB Music Section A, Exam Preparation - Strategies for Success,
Leaving the exam room do not dwell on what you have written. It is in the past, you can be safe in the knowledge you prepared the best you could, and you gave it all of your effort. By Christopher Hoddinott This week has been busy once again. The Music room is looking great especially with the redesigned practice rooms which are getting more student use. The G10 students are continuing with their Keyboard Skills. They are starting from the beginning of their instrument skills and thus developing accordingly. Cleaning up the classroom The G9 students are currently starting their film music module. Some students are advanced in their guitar playing whilst the new students are just starting. I have added a couple of instructional videos to aid their playing Happy New Year. With the festivities. This week had only with only 2 teaching days and two training days.
The first training day included looking at emotional intelligence with Dr Sarah Whyte. Dr Sarah was a clear expert in her field. What was interesting was how to understand how and why students react the way we do and how we can react in turn as teachers. My favourite Metaphor from the day was that "Teachers are the Weather in the classroom, we can make a place sunny and bright or create a storm where everyone gets wet" The second part of the day included mindful practice and exploring how we can use mindfulness in the school environment. The G10 students started their ePortfolio presentations. Every student is enlightening and giving fasinating insights with their project. Check up next week with their progress.
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About meI am the High School Music teacher at ISS International School Singapore. A passion for seeing students improve and strive forward as well as making music. Archives
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