My final video reflection from block 3 is from a preschool class.

The plan for this class

was to use instruments to enhance a story and do a coordinated movement sequence to music.

I started class with our routine hello song and sang to each student. This is important to

me because not only does it help me learn the students’ names quicker, it gives me the

opportunity to have a moment of connection with of them. This is important to build

relationships and a comfortable learning environment. Even though the process of singing to

each students takes extra time, it is something I will always do at the beginning of class.

When I began reading the storybook I checked to make sure that every student could see.

I instructed the students to be my echo as I read through the book. I incorporated hand motions

for the students to do with me, so that when it came time to select students to play the

instruments, the rest of the class would had something to do with their hands, too. Another

reason I asked the students to echo me reading the book and do hand motions was to make sure

they stayed engaged. Sitting still long enough for me to read them an entire book would have

been a challenge for such young students if they didn’t have something to do to move or speak.

All of the students were excited to do the motions with me, and the teaching aids helped keep the

more rowdy students under control. Everyone was excited at the chance to play the instruments,

and also did well following directions when I asked them to put them down.

When it was time to move on to the coordinated dance, I asked the students to show me

that they were ready for another activity. I have learned that if I do an activity that involves

movement, it is best to give instructions while the students are still seated because as soon as

they stand up, they want to run around and have trouble focusing on listening. When I did have

them stand up, I told them I was looking for who could be my “best copycat.” This allowed me
to ensure that the students were all watching me. I taught each movement to the class before

adding in the music. This way I could ensure that the students were following me and learning all

of the motions. I added in a section for them to create their own dance pose. Whenever the

students got to excited that they couldn’t hear my instructions, I just yelled, “Freeze!” This was

very effective in getting their attention.

Overall I felt very comfortable with this lesson and with this class of students. In a way I

feel like classroom management has been easier with the younger students because they tend to

buy into things like, “Who is being my best copycat/the best statue,” and “How do you show me

that you’re ready for the next activity?” These games/sayings get their attention and make it a

competition to see who can be the most still and/or quiet. I have learned through teaching the

preschool and kindergarten classes that no class with young students will ever be silent or

completely still and I am now able to be flexible with that kind of environment. I feel like I am

learning how to recognize when it is okay to have some extra noise and movement going on and

when I need to address those behaviors.