Amy El-Khoury and Greg Metcalf (ITRT), Deep Run High School
Summary
The value of feedback in improving performance and achievement cannot be overstated. In light of this key tenet of quality instruction, students were exposed to and familiarized with the Virginia Music Educators District Assessment judging form through large group class discussions. Students were given a “Google Doc version” of the form to use for performance evaluation. (A “read only” copy of the Google Doc Form is being shared with other HCPS music teachers and can be accessed here.)
Ensemble performances from past concerts were video recorded, digitized, and posted on youtube.com and an alternate fileserver. Links were shared with students via email, the department website, and a Facebook group post. Students in advanced ensembles then watched the performances at home on their own time. Students in less advanced ensembles watched the performances in small groups during class. The teacher gathered and collated student data and feedback from the Google Doc for both small and large student group discussions.
TIPC Ratings
Although the focus of this classroom lesson was on communicating and thinking critically, students were instructed on how to analyze various sources of information while responding to an authentic task. In this light, this lesson is rated as Developing for RIF.
Students worked in small and large teams using digital tools to communicate while completing the class assigned tasks. As a result, this lesson is rated as Developing.
This lesson is rated as Approaching as students solved open-ended tasks (evaluating choral performances using a third party rubric.) Although the teacher created the Google Doc form, students were involved in analyzing the VMEA scoring guide and evaluating performances over time. Additionally, students justified their decision-making processes when discussing performance scores within the groups.
Students created meaningful work by making sense out of all of the data while reflecting on their processes and setting goals for future growth. As a result, this lesson is rated as Approaching.
Student Artifact
