Practicum Syllabus

Course Description:
MUSC345. Practicum in Elementary School. Students, through observation and participation, are introduced to the daily routine and music curriculum in the elementary school. 1 credit
MUSC346. Practicum in Secondary School. Students, through observation and participation, are introduced to the daily routine and music curriculum (instrumental or choral) in junior high, middle or high school. 1 credit.

Text, Materials, Opportunities:
The classroom placement.
Guidelines and other materials are posted on BlackBoard.

Objectives: By the end of the Practicum the student will be able to
1. identify and describe normal activities in the music classroom.
2. recognize appropriate and non appropriate student behavior and practice as relates to the assigned classroom.
3. consider and form opinions about certain factors of school policy.
4. assess the assigned classroom situation and make comparisons with his/her ideal teaching situation.

Course Requirements:
Attendance at the Orientation meeting
Attendance, observation and participation in the classroom, as assigned
Written Assignments to be completed on BlackBoard (Guidelines for each appear under COURSE DOCUMENTS:
          Daily journal entries - Submit through ACTIVITIES
          Seminar Questions and Answers- Complete through COMMUNICATIONS / GROUP PAGES
          Annotated List of Materials -(Bibliography) - Complete through ACTIVITIES
Written materials (paper and pen) to be mailed to the instructor by US Post Office,
                              postmarked no later than the first Tuesday after the observation
          Field Observation reports - to be completed on three different days during the Practicum
           Log - signed by your host teacher
Evaluation - to be sent to Dr. Lust by your host teacher

April 29, 2009	Orientation - Wygal Room 233 - 10:30-11:30 p.m. First set of seminar questions to be completed at midnight the previous evening.

One week prior to your start date	Contact your cooperating teacher and introduce yourself

May 4, 11, 18 - M	Observation at your practicum site - all day

May 5, 12, 19 - T	Monday's journal entry is due on Blackboard by 8:00 a.m. Observation at your practicum site - all day Volunteer to assist wherever appropriate Second set of seminar questions to be discussed after school

May 6, 13, 20 -W	Tuesday's journal entry is due on Blackboard by 8:00 a.m. Observation at your practicum site - all day Volunteer to assist wherever appropriate

May 7, 14, 21 - R	Wednesday's journal entry is due on Blackboard by 8:00 a.m. Observation at your practicum site - all day Volunteer to assist wherever appropriate Third set of seminar questions to be discussed after school.

May 8,15,22 - F	Thursday's journal entry is due on Blackboard by 8:00 a.m. Observation at your practicum site - all day Volunteer to assist wherever appropriate Fourth set of seminar questions to be discussed after school

May 10, 17, 24- Sat. Saturday after your practical experience	Friday's journal entry is due on Blackboard by 12:00 noon List of Materials you observed in use is due electronically by 12:00 noon

May 15, 22, 29- F	Field Observation Reports and Log are due in Dr. Lust's mailbox by 5:00

Prior to the Practicum Observation Period:
- Contact your cooperating teacher to introduce yourself before you show up on the first day. You may contact him/her by phone, mail, e-mail or in person.
- Read the "Host Teacher Guidelines" so you have a clear understanding of what he/she is expecting of you.

During the Practicum Observation Period:
-Be prompt and professional. Teachers usually arrive half an hour or more before classes time. Plan to arrive when your cooperating teacher arrives and to be helpful in whatever way you can. Attend performances and meetings in which your host teacher is involved.
-Dress appropriately and professionally. You must observe any dress code which may be in place at your school.
-Be sure to wear your name tags at all times.
-Keep your journal up to date. Submit each day's entry before 8:00 a.m. on the following morning
-Volunteer to assist your cooperating teacher in whatever ways you can. If he/she doesn't assign you as much responsibility as you would like, ask if you might do more. Take advantage of all the opportunities presented for you to develop your professional skills.
-Don’t be afraid to ask your cooperating teacher questions. You will probably see and experience some ideas and activities that are new to you. Be sure that you understand the concepts and how they support the goals of the lessons. Be sure to include your reflection on these conversations in your journal.
-Be sure to notify all appropriate people, if you should have an emergency and need to be absent.

At the end of the Practicum Observation Period:
-Ask your cooperating teacher to fill out the evaluation and send it to Dr. Lust in the envelope provided.

Bibliography:

Boonshaft, Peter Loel. Teaching Music with Passion. Galesville, MD: Meredith Music Publications, 2002.

Boonshaft, Peter Loel. Teaching Music with Purpose. Galesville, MD: Meredith Music Publications, 2002.

Campbell, Patricia Shehan. Musician and Teacher: An Orientation to Music Education. New York: W.W. Norton and Company, 2008.

Jorgensen, Estelle. The Art of Teaching Music. Bloomington, IN: Indiana University Press, 2008.