PhD Student Kelly

ACTIVITY:

• analyze a storybook with a small group in steps starting with the cover, then the pictures, and finally text
• discuss your observations between and during steps
• create a song based on the emotions evoked and present themes in the story
• share a brief explanation of the story you had, the observations made, and then perform the song
• most of the stories given to students were based off of classical works, so after the activity, allow the students to hear the piece
• take away is that all music can have a story

CONCEPT: Difficult Students

• often there are cases where a student takes a music course simply to fill their arts credit/requirement, and are not at all interested in the course
• as educators we need to try and engage these students in music class, and maybe even make it enjoyable
• break the stereotypes right away. Music class is not just studying classical music and learning to play the concert Bb major scale. Music class is about exploring personal musicianship.

MY OPINION:
    The best part of this activity for me was to hear all of the different perspectives on the same story, one unique perspective belonging to each member of the group. The way we began to shape a story from the images as a group was so wonderful to experience. I can definitely see how this activity would help students understand that all music does have a story or background, and that each individual will interpret the story differently, just like music.