EDAD 693 & 694 Practicum/Internship Artifact

Standard 5.0 Professional and Ethical Behavior

Element 5.4 Evaluating Moral & Legal Consequences
Activities: Music Considerations in relation to religion, School Law
Considerations concerning copyright, staff responsibilities, etc.
Time: 20 hours
Artifact: Fair Use of Copyright Materials Handout/Poster
Description: In my lesson planning, I must give special thought to the music I select.
Children of the Jehovahs Witness religion are unable to participate in any holiday
music. Being a music teacher, I also have to think about copyright laws when it
comes to printed music and making copies of musical scores. Staff responsibilities,
such as never leaving students unattended, must also be kept in the forefront of my
mind.
Reflection: When I began my teaching career, I never gave thought to the fact that
some children may not be able to participate in holiday music. I personally never had
an experience in school where kids couldnt sing Happy Birthday or holiday songs.
As a new music teacher in Garrett County, I was given quite the education by
Jehovahs Witness parents when their child came home talking about singing holiday
songs. Some parents sent in pamphlets about why they dont celebrate Christmas,
others talked with me about what their child could do while the others were
practicing for the Christmas Program. Knowing the boundaries of what each parent
allows is important. Some parents are fine with their child being in the room during
holiday songs but prefer their child doesnt participate, while others dont want their
child exposed to it at all. I wonder how they avoid Christmas music while shopping at
the market in December, but I digress. I do consider the best course of action when
it comes to holiday and seasonal music. Ive spent time conferring with each of my
principals on their thoughts and what theyd like me to do so that I have their
support.
I also must be aware of copyright laws when copying music. Some music that I use
through various resources can be copied for my students learning; some music
requires a purchased copy per student. In my School Law graduate course, I created
a poster that could be displayed at school copy machines or handed out to teachers
to make sure they are aware of copyright laws. Other factors to consider as an
administrator include staff responsibilities the things for which you could be sued
such as leaving students unattended. Moral and legal consequences hinge on every
decision made, and being educated is ones best defense.