The following may well be strategies you incorporate into your teaching already so please excuse if they are stating the obvious. They are all factors that have contributed to positive results.
KS3
- Boy/Girl seating plan where possible. I have found that this helps the concentration particularly in listening and appraising lessons.
- Creating a performance atmosphere:
- Criteria for success always on the board (including marking scheme).
- Written feedback every six weeks with strategies for improvement.
- When recording the performance there is no break if possible between performances, just applause and then feedback and evaluation at the end. I have found that this makes recording a lot quicker and focuses the class.
KS4
- A meeting is held with all the students who have opted for the subject in Yr 9 (around Easter time). This helps identify any 'non-musicians' who need help with basic theory etc., prior to starting the course in September. Their music lessons in the final term of Yr 9 can be used for this.
- All GCSE students must be involved in all the extra-curricular activities on offer suitable to their instruments. They must also be a member of the Chamber Choir, which is made up of predominantly GCSE students. This especially helps the boys who feel they 'can't sing'.
- The students compositions are performed live, if possible, to an audience. This helps them to analyse and re-work their pieces - it also gives them a purpose to composing.
- I insist on detailed annotations with relevant musical quotations to accompany the compositions
- Once the Performance Exams have taken place and the Composition Portfolios have been submitted, I work out each students target grade and present them with a guide to the percentage they need to achieve in the final Listening Exam to reach that grade.
- Their work is all presented on 'Sibelius' and the Yr 11 final compositions are displayed in the classroom from Easter. As well as taking pride in their own work it also serves to inspire the Yr 10's and the future hopeful musicians!
Suzanne Moran
February 2000