Learning Activity 3-D-1

How Much Music Can You Make?

[Blog]

18 points

1. As described in The Cellist of the Schoolyard, Vedran Smailovic focused on how much music he could make with what he had. Even without ideal conditions, it's up to you to make as much music as you can in your classroom with what you've got.
2. Reread your response to 3-A-2: Noticing Environmental Challenges on the wiki and review the challenges you identified.
3. Choose one of your challenges and describe what you could do to "make the most music with what you've got." You may wish to include strategies suggested in this module as well as suggestions you received from other class members.
   

   Example:

   Obstacle: Don't have a classroom. Must move to a different classroom each period of the day.

   Suggested Solution (actually implemented in an Illinois high school): I use a shopping cart to carry my materials from classroom to classroom. Other teachers joined me in my humorous approach to dealing with the inconvenience of not having a classroom, and we began decorating their shopping carts. Students were delighted to watch us when we conducted "shopping carts on parade" through the halls.

4. Smailovic focused on what he could do in a difficult situation. Although you may have to look hard to find them, identify at least three aspects of your classroom's physical environment that are working effectively for you.
   Example:

   • One of the rooms I'm in has large windows.
   • Because I travel throughout the entire building, I have an opportunity to see what other teachers are doing in their classes.
   • The custodial staff keeps the floors clean.
5. Read other class members' responses and reply to at least one person. In your reply, include a suggestion on how they can meet their challenge.