W estern M ichigan University School of M usic

Choral Methods Teaching Evaluation Student Kyle Karum Date November 19, 2012 Evaluator Kenneth Smith Site Pennfield High School Class or Sectional High School Mixed Chorus ______________________________________________________________________________ Classroom Management (Social) Planning/Organization Lesson plans and materials prepared and practiced beforehand and appropriate sequencing. On the Likert-type scale 1 2 3 4 5 above: 1 = Excellent Quick and appropriate response to needs/problems 2 = Very Good 1 2 3 4 5 3 = Good Eye Contact -- connect with all students 4 = Fair 1 2 3 4 5 5 = Poor Appropriate, purposeful movement around the classroom 1 2 3 4 5 ______________________________________________________________________________ Presentation Skills Student-centered approach ensuring participation of all students
Regularly occurring, appropriate feedback Positive and Needs Improvement comments in at least equal measure Regular checks for comprehension

1 2 3 4 5 Pacing appropriate speed (while not leaving students behind) with variations in speed 1 2 3 4 5 Spoken Presentation
Appropriate use of the English language = clear, concise communication Appropriate and direct Questions = no open-ended questions, no guess what teachers thinking

1 2 3 4 5 Awareness of and Effective use of time 1 2 3 4 5 ______________________________________________________________________________ Subject Matter (Academic) Content of the Lesson remained focused on the stated objective and completed the objective 1 2 3 4 5 Pedagogical and Musical Knowledge
Demonstrate ability to analyze what is heard and identify and attend to problems appropriately Attends to Musical Fundamentals

1 2 3 4 Approach/Technique Instructional Delivery

Modeling = Sing/Play in tune w/ appropriate tone quality Establish pitch and tempo

1 2 3 4 5 ______________________________________________________________________________ General/Personal Professionalism

Proper Attire, Proper Grooming, Promptness Attitude = what is the teacher projecting? enthusiasm for the subject matter? for the student(s)?

1 Confidence 1 Adaptability 1

2 2 2

3 3 3

4 4 4

5 5 5

Strengths: You demonstrated an excellent pacing of rehearsal that kept your students focused and engaged. The warm-up was very unified in purpose and flowed from one exercise to the next. Your lesson plans for practicing Bogoroditse Devo were also well structured. Your vocal demonstrations were well modeled demonstrating good vocal technique. And, you demonstrated a good rapport with the students. They were focused on the music and task at hand, and they responded quickly to your instructions. Areas Needing Improvement: When working on rubato, you asked your students to attend to your conducting patterns but they were looking at the music and not at you. Make sure you have eye contact with them. You could practice how to look over the top of the music or work on a shorter section of the music that they can hold in memory (and not be bound to the music). During sectionals: This part of the lesson seemed less structured and planned. You should still have in mind what you want to accomplish. Slow down your piano playing. You were rushing the tempo and contributing to the singers rhythm problems. Plan(s) for Improvement (for student self-evaluation): Continue to improve your piano skills. At some point you will have to be your own accompanist. I thought you demonstrated good teaching skills by asking your students for their reaction to the performance, and for suggestions of how to improve the ensembles singing. However, you need to follow through immediately if possible, by trying some of the students ideas. This will allow them to hear the results of their suggestions. You showed a practice of including student ideas in your lesson planning, but also make sure to let the students know that their feedback was useful and being implemented from past comments.

Kyle, during my observation, you demonstrated the essential skills for being an excellent high school choir director. There were times in your rehearsal that you looked like a seasoned conductor. It was evident that you have been working on the pacing plan of rehearsal with your mentor teacher. I look forward to hearing about the success of your future school choirs.