Kansas Music Standard #8: The teacher of music has skills in establishing effective music-learning environments.

Knowledge

• The teacher understands appropriate administrative, financial, management, organizational, and operational aspects of an overall music program.
• The teacher understands planning and implementation skills for music classroom instruction and performance at all developmental levels.
• The teacher understands use and implementation of appropriate technology for the music classroom.

Performance

• The teacher manages instructional time effectively through appropriately structured learning-activities, efficient transitions and pacing, balanced presentations of music education materials, and music for performance.
• The teacher develops strategies for a balance of auditioned and all-inclusive musical participation.
• The teacher incorporates technology in instruction.
• The teacher applies music assessment strategies that evaluate the program and ensure students’ continual improvement.
• The teacher operates and maintains musical instruments and equipment.

A student thrives best in an effective music classroom environment. Many courses and projects have helped me design a classroom which helps the students learn, not hinder them. Included is a Classroom Handbook which deals with scheduling, class rules, and other important information for an organized and productive classroom. It is also important to reflect upon teaching and to make improvements to aid in the student’s learning. My second artifact is a reflection I wrote after teaching a voice lesson to a middle school student. This reflection is an example of what shall be used in future classrooms to reflect and improve lesson plans for the classroom.