I start band in the 5th grade. My elementary principal asked how I felt about that band meeting twice a week. I need your help to put in educational words why this will not work. I appreciate your help.
Re: Beginner Band
Posted by Retired but not done on 6/2/2022, 2:59 pm, in reply to "Beginner Band"
"Respectfully, sir, what would happen if these same students had English twice a week? How would the language teachers feel about that? Or math? or science?"
The State Board of Education says that Fine Arts are part of the Required Curriculum, and that as such school districts must provide TEKS-based instruction.
The downside of this is I was at a district once where this was brought to the attention of the principal and she shut down the band program and put music on the shoulders of the academic teachers.
Posted by Old Dude on 5/19/2022, 3:27 pm, in reply to "Beginner Band"
I did something similar with meeting woodwinds and percussion on MW and brass on TT with the whole group on Fridays. I was rotating with the PE teacher. It worked ok but I used a very slow moving beginning band book.
Re: Beginner Band
Posted by Jake on 5/18/2022, 2:49 pm, in reply to "Beginner Band"
Retention of concepts learned are difficult if they aren't re-enforced daily. The minimum four day gap between class instruction is like starting over every week, especially if you are dealing with beginners. I would push for shorter class periods ,but classes more often.
Re: Beginner Band
Posted by really retired on 5/18/2022, 2:32 pm, in reply to "Beginner Band"
for one thing - you would only see students twice every 7 days - learning a skill. It is not like general music class. Before I would agree to this, I would drop 5th grade band and start them in the 6th...5 days a week. The 6th graders will learn faster.
Re: Beginner Band
Posted by 2A Director as Well on 5/18/2022, 1:28 pm, in reply to "Beginner Band"
Learning to play an instrument is incredibly similar to learning to speak, read, and write; in that one of the most critical aspects of learning these skills is repetition and being able to practice that skill.
Students who practice reading, and practice writing more through repetition will be more successful, and learning how to play an instrument is pretty much the same. Do students only practice writing every other day? Do they only have reading lessons twice a week? Obviously not because that would drastically hinder their ability and progress.
Moving band to twice a week will hinder the students ability to learn that instrument the same way it would hinder their reading ability if that were cut down.
I would also emphasize that 5th grade band isn't really a "band" more so, a "how to play an instrument class". Talk about how beginner band is pretty much the most important year for developing a students playing ability, and cutting down the time at that level is incredibly damaging. Some principals don't realize how different the first year of band can be compared to every other year in band.
My 2 cents is, if the principal doesn't budge and moves your beginners to twice a week, is to stop doing 5th grade band and see if you can improve your beginner situation by starting in 6th grade. In my own opinion, daily beginning band one year later (especially if you can divide the instruments in any way), would be significantly better than twice a week 5th grade band.
Also, do some research, find some other 2a bands in the area (or more effectively, your football district) and ask about their beginner situation. I bet their is a direct correlation to the bands UIL scores and their beginning band situation. Data is important, and the better you can show that not daily beginning band =/= success, the better.
Re: Beginner Band
Posted by Susan on 5/23/2022, 7:31 pm, in reply to "Re: Beginner Band"
I taught beginners for many years and I would totally agree with you. Kids these days need reminders, constant reminders and that it hard to give only two days a week.
One of the biggest things I hated for 5th and 6th grade band I had the last 16 years was providing me with a 25 minute teaching period. The schedule did not have 5 minutes between classes built in. It was the elementary thing/setup.
The only reason 5th graders were started was to build the band program.It did to a degree.
I really wanted to ask the principal if she was insane!
This was at a 5A with a small school atmosphere.
Re: Beginner Band
Posted by Hugo on 5/19/2022, 5:46 am, in reply to "Re: Beginner Band"
This.
When looking for data, TEA groups schools from across the state into comparison pods based on student pop. Social Economic status, and a few other factors. Not sure exactly what it's called, but that would be a good place to start with data collections. It's a little more of an apples to apples comparison.
If you google it or ask your admin, they'll know what it is.
Re: Beginner Band
Posted by Amen on 5/18/2022, 7:27 pm, in reply to "Re: Beginner Band"
Time on task is critical. The beginning year of band IS the most important. Start band in the sixth grade with a full week of instruction and you won't regret it!
Re: Beginner Band
Posted by Ex RGV BD on 5/18/2022, 4:19 pm, in reply to "Re: Beginner Band"
Ask your principal how he feels about 1st grade math only meeting twice a week.
I think you are better off eliminating band in the 5th grade and starting beginners in the 6th grade that meet 5 days a week.
