Week 1 - JJ Cahill Memorial High School

Mon - Aug 15, 2016

Alarm rings at 7am. Do I snooze my alarm? Freaked out! First day of school - don't know what I will do or how exactly I will adjust to the school environment.

Here I arrive, I tell myself to take a deep breath, relax, and to take one step onto school grounds hoping that my day will run smooth.

Approached by one of the staff, I was shown around the school, where to go to sign in and sign out, and was finally taken up to both my supervising teachers:

Luke Chapman - teaches junior classes (years 7-9) on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Those are the days that I would stay with him observing at least for this week.
Thomas Fienberg (a.k.a Tom) - teaches the senior classes (years 10-12) for 5 days a week, but I will be with him for 2 days (Wednesdays and Fridays) since I am with Luke for the other 3 days.

Tuesdays = sport days.

Every Thursday = staff meeting (period 6). Students are dismissed after Period 5.

This week will be a little bit flexible / crazy as the school is preparing for the big event on Friday night - "Big Night Out." Both teachers told me to attend the function as this will give me an insight to the school's culture and what it is all about.

Luke introduced me to the staff - felt very welcome, and the school day began with a staff meeting at 8:35am. Got told what classes we had today for periods:

Year 7N - observed the class. They are currently learning Australian Music and are preparing for a singing test which they will perform (in groups) to the class in 2-3 weeks time. I tried to gain some skills from Luke in how he controlled, managed the class and most importantly how he gave instructions and delivered content most effectively to them. He began by asking them to sit in a circle - he was utilising the space and instructed them to "Be confident in singing." He used encouragement and constantly gave them positive comments such as "Good job guys." Students learnt the melody on xylophones. I tried to pay close attention to how Luke managed the class: "You have 3 seconds to have sticks / mallets in the air." This is also considered to be a good method for counting them in.
check Tom - Luke has IST. I helped Tom with setting up the stage for Big Night Out, and I also learnt how to connect the multi-cord cable into the mixer.
SU3 (Life Skills - Stage 4: mix of years 7-8) - These students are currently working on their piano projects: learning songs and recording things on piano. Students are familiar with using Garageband - they know how to create their loops and remix them. I helped one student at the piano to learn his part through modelling and imitation (Mine Craft).
Year 7S - Luke gave the class 4 tips for the exam / techniques for them to project their voice. The first, have a clear diction: "You will be marked on how clear and precise your words are. Have a clear voice and clear pronounciation of words - have your mouth opened." Second tip, breath control Third tip is posture: "Move your neck; sit with shoulders up so that the air in lungs can get through as you sing." Last, but not least, show some contrast through dynamics. Luke involved them by having hand gestures to set up dynamics.
Free - went to the hall and watched students rehearsing for their Big Night Out.
Year 7S - students continued working on their song for assessment. I went around the groups to remind them of Luke's tips.

Today was a really fun day. I benefited so much and greatly looking forward to this week.

Tues - Aug 16, 2016

Another day at JJ. Periods:

Year 8B - Trouble with this class is they lose focus and get a bit crazy. Students are going to listen to the song they learnt in previous weeks ('How much does your love cost?') to recognise and listen to the instruments. Luke made a deal with the class: "If you listen to the song without talking, I'll let you pick the instruments you want to play in your groups."
SU4 (with Tom) - They focused on the theme song from Harry Potter. Main aim of the lesson was to get students to see / hear how the theme song is developed throughout the movie. Tom mentioned how the theme is in a minor key and that the use of accidentals make it mysterious. Students learnt to play the theme via modelling and notes (written on the board) were reference points for them. B E G F# E B A F# / E G F# D# F# B B E G F# E B D C# C / A C B A# B G E
Year 9 - focused on developing their confidence to perform on stage as preparation for Big Night Out. I loved how Tom made sure everyone knew their parts and stopped them to make sure they played well. Luke hit drumsticks (as pulse) to make sure the drummer played on correct speed.
Year 7S - chairs were arranged in a circle. Students sung through the song using those tips mentioned in previous lesson (i.e. diction, breath control, posture and dynamics). Xylophone conditions: mallets / sticks in the air = no playing. Students learnt the bass line on xylophones - C C D D G A A A and after a while, Luke taught them a harmony to accompany the bass line - E E F F B C C C. Half the room played the bass line while the other half played the second half. Whole class performed their lines together when they felt together, and they were then challenged to sing the song again, while playing.
Sport
Sport

An interesting day today - really learnt a lot by observing.

Wed - Aug 17, 2016

Tom's advice to me = It is absolutely important to build relationships. In this way you will know how to deal with students. Periods:

Free
Year 10 - Tom took class to practise for Friday's performance on stage. I observed and tried to get known to students. Also tried to encourage them to motivate them and develop their confidence.
Free - helped out where possible and observed rehearsals in the hall.
Year 12 - practised on stage for Big Night Out.
Free - helped out where possible and observed rehearsals in the hall.
Year 9 - practised on stage for Big Night Out.

Today was plainly focused on rehearsing for Big Night Out - definitely great to get an insight on the musical culture of the school, and its band.

Thurs - Aug 18, 2016

Periods:

Year 7N - went through singing techniques to class and went around to observe them and guide them in their preparation for singing exam.
Year 7N - I observed and team taught where possible. I learnt new behaviour management techniques - remain positive all the time. Don't be negative because this approach doesn't work most of the time.
Free - Big Night Out rehearsals in the hall.
Free - Big Night Out rehearsals in the hall - I felt sick and left early that day.
Year 8B

Fri - Aug 19, 2016

This is it - the crazy day because of Big Night Out to happen at 6:30pm tonight.

Period 1, we had year 10. Topic for the rest of the term = songwriting. Tom was in and out of the music room for Big Night Out rehearsals at the hall next door. I was left with students to get to know their names and just open up the conversation with them about songwriting and left it open for them.

Even come with an instrumental if you don't want to or can't come up with lyrics.
If you are coming up with lyrics, picture the melody. Try to find out the exact pitch and work out the correct chords for it.

Tom came in later on and told the class to come and watch them rehearsing.

Rest of the day was spent on rehearsals for Big Night Out. I was even given a job to do, which was to control lights using a mixer along with another girl. I attended the event and helped out with the lights.