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A Progression of Skills for Student Teachers
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Many new student teachers are relatively young or are performance majors who do not take methods classes. The curriculum of your university should work in tandem with your String Project curriculum, and the experience of working in a String Project should serve as supplement not a substitute to an adequate methods series.
Here is a suggested outline of skills needed by student teachers, including the points at which student teachers should be incorporating these skills into their teaching repertoire. (Compiled by twenty-three student teachers at the University of South Carolina String Project during the 2000- 2001 academic year)
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First Year (assistant)
Musical/Pedagogical Skills
Tune a group quickly
Hone ear training, diagnostic skills
Give mini-lessons
Know the basics of all the instruments
Organizational Skills
Assist with room set-up
Keep records for the class teacher (attendance/practice)
Professional attire.
Interpersonal and Communication Skills
Patience
Be flexible
Take initiative
Be dependable
Interact with peers as colleagues with proper language and demeanor
Interact with authority figures
Interact with students in an age-appropriate way
Non-verbal communication
Learn how to encourage children appropriately
Recognize that every child wants to learn and be praised
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Second Year (studio teaching) and Third Year (small group classes)
Musical/Pedagogical Skills
Learn varied teaching strategies
Set achievable long-term and short-term goals for student achievement
Identify strengths and weaknesses in student playing
Incorporate areas of strength into the lesson
Learn appropriate repertoire
Follow a curriculum
Set goals on the edge of the students abilities not too high but not easily accessible
Adopt teaching techniques that recognize varying levels of aptitude among different students
During classes, explain in a succinct and precise manner so that varying levels of students all understand your instruction
Pace lessons and classes appropriately. The balancing act is moving quickly enough to keep students with high musical aptitude engaged while not losing the ones who may be struggling
During classes, it should be evident that advanced student teachers are thoroughly prepared for lessons and can confidently manage the classroom
Organizational Skills (for both lessons and classes)
Develop and maintain lesson logs
Demonstrate effective time management skills
Prioritizing lesson plans
Prepare for recitals and concerts
Use of effective public speaking skills for communication with large classrooms and audiences
Coordinate the recital: setup, warm-up room, supervision
Create a program
Anticipate potential problems (stage fright, accompanists)
Interpersonal Communication Skills
Communicate effectively with parents
Make decisions with confidence
Ask for help when needed
Take care of personal health
Have a real bond with students
Be open to suggestions and ideas to help your teaching
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Fourth Year (large beginning class, second-year orchestra)
Musical/Pedagogical Skills
Know all the instruments fingerings, clef, and so forth
Have effective conducting skills ?
Read a score
Choose music that engages the children
Make minor instrument repairs
Make distinctions between the violas and the violins
Rememberyour students are only eight or nine or ten years old. Student teachers are very involved in their own performance skills and have to remember to make the adjustment to younger music learners
Organizational Skills
Foresee problems and plan remedies
Keep records for large groups
Manage rehearsals
Coordinate sectionals
Design programs for holiday and spring concerts and recitals
Interpersonal Communication Skills
Ability to work with lots of eyes watching you during rehearsals
Learn and memorize 65-70 names
Interact with assistants. The less experienced teachers need specific instructions until they become more familiar with the programdont assume they will know what to do intuitively
Interact with parents. Young teachers can find it challenging to let parents know about minor behavior issues
Pick battles carefullybe sure you understand the consequences of having a confrontation with a colleague
Ask for help and encouragement when feeling discouraged
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