Student Teaching Journal

2014

River Valley HS with Rebecca Schinker

FIRST WEEK

9/3

Wednesday
**stand in the hallway/doorway to greet students
Immediately arise and stretch reach for ceiling, roll shoulders, hug arm around, and stretch all the
way forward, roll hips, point and stretch arm all the way across body, big yawn/stretch
Explain rules expectations SING FREELY, OPEN MIND, SAFE ENVIRONMENT (singing is
vulnerable)
Grading participation is 20% (attendance, good behavior, attentive, quiet, etc.) musicianship is
40% (lessons checklist lesson evaluation form *50 pts) performance is 40%
grab pencil and get rid of gum- no exceptions get binder and sign cell phone contract write
down 3 goals or things under my music educational philosophy that you want to accomplish
in the year (complete thoughts)
Provide them the musical list of standards you as a teacher are going to accomplish
S$E? What is it? Why is it good? Extracurricular ensemble auditions for chamber choir,
explaining the times it meets
Concert policy: communicate with me parent notice (no ride? Ill get you one)
Prepare you have been given dates in advance no excuse unless very sick
Concert attire t-shirt/skirt/shorts/nylons, black shoes (no heel or toe)
PARENT/STUDENT CONTRACT (graded and due signed/dated within the week!)
Keep binder in good condition (put back in correct slot number) and only choir stuff in binder
(no other homework to clutter)
Sight reading (in pink paper), warm ups (purple), and copied sheet music (plus the SS and SSB)

9/4-5

Thursday/Friday

*warm ups
uti *explained in lesson plan sigh from top down, then back up e-ah posture (use
tummy) and yawn (space) octave up (with arm swing) *i-ah+ in seconds *hi,i,i,i- ha,a,a,a- do,
mi, so, mi, do]
Solfege review the syllables and hand signs work up slowly, adding a syllable each time,
continuing hand sings then add dynamics (p-f-p, f-p-f)
Starting at the same time Do (same round vowel) Re (watch diphthongs) Mi (Space up/down in
heads) *dont lose uumph
Rounds in rows, then counting off by threes solfege up to do and back down
Picking up the solfege pace d, d-r-d, d-r-m-r-d high D, d-t-d, d-t-l-t-d
SSB on a lip buzz or [vvv] closed hum (forward in mask) sections/rows alone, then together
Treble =
Ave Verum sing through (m7) then a little further (all on one line then split) capitalize on
stressed beats, proper Latin pronunciation, correct notes and rhythms
Festival =
King Jesus wheres the beat? Speak the rhythms (connect pickup to accented beat) make the
words pop s just a little, cross off r of sinner get through entirety of speaking part A

SECOND WEEK

9/8

Monday
*Just tell the students what the plan is for the day, especially if there is a lot of work to be done on a
particular piece and it may take the whole class period.
Treble =
Ye Banks and Braes
o Time signature? Circle it (had them check their neighbors) conduct with me (2 beat
pattern
o 2/4 [eighth-notes, eighth-notes] vs 6/8 [3-eighth-notes, 3-eighth-notes]
o Simple vs complex time signatures now w/o conducting work from 6/8 simple
measure to taking away notes and changing values to dotted and sixteenth notes
o Read sop. 1 line together, speaking ti-ti (rhythm) *watching the pickup eventually
singing with ti-tis up through measure 10.
LIZ
Festival =
LIZ
King Jesus Speak the rhythms (connect pickup to accented beat) make the words pop s just
a little, cross off r of sinner get through entirety of speaking part A and through to m 17
o Sing on notes (altos first *highlight where they switch staffs) then bases with altos add
tenors
o Everyone reinforce dynamics, and accents while maintaining proper rhythms
Wearin of the Green
o starting with Mi-D-So-D (S,A,T,B) on hmmm right-on onset adding an Irish quick-slide
(drone) into pitch
o basses and tenors first (letting basses know how important their line is)
o Words! Consonants ps ks and final ds

9/9

Tuesday
*Be sure to expect students to do as you ask dont just move on listen for how well they are
completing the exercise! Follow through
Treble =
LIZ (warm up push them sing on solfege (should be no starting Do)
o Talk more about sensations for and in singing but above all- make sure they know
where Im at!
o Remind them the song is a childs game- ask them to sing it as such, then adding in the
academics of the music (vowels, diction, posture and so on).
o CLEAR INSTRUCTIONS
Ye Banks and Braes
o Reminder of complex time signature jump right into the solfege of starting notes
Have the choir split into 3 parts, keeping numbers high for the alto foundation,
with strong singers on SII, keeping resonant sopranos on part I
Tell choir the value of mastering even just the first few notes in parts!

o Read parts (individually then apart) through measure 6

Ave Verum
o Speak correct latin pronunciation highlight open vowels (and reminder of diphthong
ae stay on the ah) and how to do r (flipped r = like saying udder 3 times fast)
o Mark where to breath get through to measure 18.

Festival =
Warmup
o [i-ay-ah-o-u] one block of sound (connect/unify vowels) with hand motions
Move from vowel to vowel w/o direction (independently for the purpose of
reading Kiss me softly
utilized an arm swing gesture down-up from Do-So to reinforce P5
King Jesus Get into the singing reminder of s etc. focus on singing to A and through to m
17
o Sing on notes (altos first *highlight where they switch staffs) then bases with altos add
tenors
o Everyone reinforce dynamics, and accents while maintaining proper rhythms
Kiss me softly on *ah+
**talked to choir about how beautiful and difficult this song is
to accomplish encourage achievement!
o Everyone starting on the same note (everyone read through soprano line)
o Number the beats of varied measures
o Guys- same note (breath support) *go through their individual line so they can hear it
LIZ
o 3 parts making sure the added part hears how they complete the fullness of the
ensemble

9/10

Wednesday
* be clear with what you want- strive to get the intended result (listen) and use less words
Treble =
Warm up
o Throw the Frisbee!!! Prep + purposeful throw + follow through
[i-ah (D-Sfmrd)+ keep your stance as stable as possible
SSB singing on parts w/o music on a lip buzz or vvv *forward in face*
LIZ=
o Quicker tempo with child-like feel
o Highlight the quality of each entrance as the melody is passed back and forth
o Sight-read key-change and then to the end
Festival =
Warm up
LIZ = soprano sectional

9/11

Thursday
*slow down your speech!!! Force them to make consonant changes happen use imagery, they will
respond well to descriptions of child-like and love

*define syncopation for treble and when theyre tired, sometime you need to just be on their level
mellow it out and focus on getting notes/rhythms
*Treble needs more work on their onset and follow-through ***pick-up note need intention and
there needs to be an executive decision made about the soprano rhythm of skip-to-my-lou
*explain le deviation from solfege*
Treble =
yuh vs yah
LIZ (push them sing solfege)
Festival =
Warm up
o Breathe in through your nose (imagine youre smelling something good)
o Stretching (rub your face ect Make a big face, then a cat butt scrunch- face)
Tuning, Basses on Do, Sopranos on So (hard to tune the P5- tritone devils notes), altos on Mi
(if flat, makes chord minor)
o Breathe in and hiss it out that much concentration for onset attack
o Tenors, dont tilt head/chin up for high notes (or down for low notes)
Hand in belly-button to get gut action loosen neck/head *string posture
**use [ch-ch-s-s-s+ rhythm to get their attention they repeat it back to you

9/12

Friday
*step away from the piano! Dont use it as a crutch
Treble =
LIZ warmup
LIZ soprano sectional
Festival =
LIZ warmup and work on My Sweethearts like Venus
Talked about the folk connection between all the selected pieces were working on= they all
tell a story and meant something to passion
Worked through Wearin of the Green and nailed down some group movement (holds and
such). Got all the way through the song, making sure there was intention with the text.

THIRD WEEK

9/15

Monday
*use announcements as a transitionwarm up and go through a tough part of a song, then do
announcement before tackling the next item on the agenda
*inner tube is good to help everyone feel the feeling of filling up the tube (in through the nose)
Treble =
hi-i-i-I, hi-i-i-i, ha-a-a-a [drdr, drdr, dmsmd] *forces the students to use their tummy muscles
and get their abs warmed up
*Solfege round with hand signs (1st and 2nd rows)

El Coqui = Time signature (3/8) and key signature (CM) having them understand that the
eighth note gets the beat and that tempo is lively and spirited
*LISTEN (follow along)
to a recording
ti-ti the alto line together (no clapping until familiar with the music) then the sopranos do
their line alone then put it together
All sing on the soprano line, then everyone sing on the alto line then put it together
Ye Banks and Braes = m. 12-15 start with part III speaking rhythm (add part I) part III sing
it (add part I)
*work with part II up front then all together and from the beginning,
ending at m. 19

Festival =
Warm up hi-i-i-I, hi-i-i-i, ha-a-a-a *drdr, drdr, dmsmd]
Solfege in rounds (3 rows) with hand signs
*fix re and ti *then do staccato
King Jesus pg. 4 verse ms. 17-24 then sing from the beginning, and add dynamics
Kiss me softly learn Russian dive right in (tell them exactly where to move vowels then
speak with head voice all together sing through it! (push them) then do it staccato
Move to next entrance pg. 7 women alone, then men on Ta to harmonies all together
SSB more open Oh and fix vowel on say quicker pr on proudly and softer ay on hailed
*altos can be strong at ending section
*tenors fix vowels on stars and brave

9/12

Tuesday
*step away from the piano! Dont use it as a crutch
Treble =
LIZ warmup hi-i-i-I, hi-i-i-i, ha-a-a-a *drdr, drdr, dmsmd]
o [Si-i, si-e, si-a]
Ma *do-do-do, tlsfmrd]
o Solfege work into *d, drd, drmrd d, dtd, dtltd+
A-Tisket, A-Tasket Remind them the song is a childs game- ask them to sing it as such, then
adding in the academics of the music (vowels, diction, posture and so on).
o *slow down your speech!!! Force them to make consonant changes happen sing it as if
you were irritated with someone.
o *define syncopation for treble *explain le deviation from solfege*
*Treble needs more work on their onset and follow-through
o *pick-up note need intention and there needs to be an executive decision made about
the soprano rhythm of skip-to-my-lou
Festival =
Small group of underclassmen Schinker worked with them on specific spots to highlight
phrases that needed extra attention/concentration.

9/12

Wednesday
*take every chance to point out Do especially when working with trouble spots:
*to work out trouble-spots start of struggling phrase and arrive at given checkpoints (notes/words)
moving progressively through that phrase.

Treble =
LIZ warmup
LIZ *pick up notes and fixing a wrong rhythm (use kinesthetic actualization for realization tap
beat on leg while speaking the swung eighth-notes properly)
o To encourage more attitude in the singing, have them sing it sassier, or as if irritated.
Festival =
Warmup: [ki-k-kah D-M-SfmrD] *breath energy
Liz with the women for a soprano/alto sectional
o Worked on quick consonants and open vowels breathing in through the space were
going to sing as well as maintaining that air with energized/moving breath support.

9/12

Thursday

Treble =
Gone on a field trip
Festival =
Warm up
Liz with the sopranos and basses for a sectional
o Use visualization, especially for older kids
o Have them sing the song in its opposite form to dial the overall choral sound toward the
desired result

FOURTH WEEK

9/22

Monday
*rehearse warm ups more- better safe than confusing sometimes, especially on tired days (Monday).
*dont put up with immature discussion/comments
*be in the moment of singing make sure the kids are like that too.
*I should have had them speak through the new words at verse 3 and had them sit to discuss their
meaning, then move to singing and tuning.
Treble =
LIZ warmup taught them the way to read international vowels (i.e. [o-a-i-o = oh, ah, ee, oh]
Spanish review speak with excitement- have them speak trouble spots 3 times in a row.
o Have them sit and make a note (cirice) on consistent problem spots (rhythm usually).
o Have them show you (check for circling correct line (i.e. soprano or alto).
o Talk with students about expression and enunciation- tell the story.
Festival =
LIZ warmup
o Be confident on effectiveness and quality of warm up!!!
o Stretching and body work is important- dont disregard while preparing (practice it!).

Schinker gave them a talk about the fact they werent living up to their potential- she wasnt
upset, but gave them a stern speech that asked for them to Make music- dont fight each
other (as in blending and maturity level).

9/23

Tuesday
*Chamber Choir: (madrigal/vocal jazz)
*Day 1- folder of music (put in binder)
*have them write due on Friday with $30 for parents to sign (co-curricular sheet).
*[i-a] DrmfS (from low to higher!
*[i-a] D-SfmrD (from high to lower!) Frisbee
*tummy muscles at 7am! [iiii-a,a,a] DrmfS,S,S
*zinga (x5) S-f-m-r-D (Zoo)- point push-the-wall keep energy moving (forward)
*plenty of sight-reading (with returning students to keep it stabilized)
Do-Re-Mi-Fa-Sol-La-Ti-Do

1 -2- 3- 4- 5- 6- 7- 8
Treble =
Warm up do solfege scale with hand sign
Scales *Drdr-Drdr-D (hiii, hiii, hi)+ for wholes steps then what would a half step sound like?
o There is a famous movie from the late 70s Jaws.. *D,di,D,di- D,di,Ddi-D (hiii, hiii, hi)]
o There are two places you have half steps (mi-fa & la-ti) *write in note names starting
with the key of C Major Major scale rap (w-w-h-w-w-w-h)
Piano sheet and staff paper keys that touch are half steps apart how to draw a treble clef
and label it
o Where does C go on the staff? If C is Do, what is D?
o Names of lines and spaces find C on the space- count down 8 to ledger line C and
write the scale
o Then G scale need a note in between E and F = F# (label it at the key signature!)
o Speak scale with note-names (CM and GM)
Ye Banks and Braes staccato! Then legato
Festival =
Warm up P5 *o-i-o] with arm swing
Same scale learning as Treble
Worked on King Jesus and established three-part women learned next section (men tutti
solo)
Wearin of the Green mark the ending so that it is correct and full

9/24

Wednesday
*anxious? Yes but blah? No!
Treble =
Liz Warmup (fixed the P4 idea added a swing So-La, Ti-Do)
Liz Ye Banks and Braes working on phrasing and dynamics (where not to breath and how to
build) plus note checking
Festival =

Warmup with Schinker: make sure you have space upti center yourself hands on hips
strong man (except to clap) every motion with a purpose!
Hands on your hips (on the muscle) and roll shoulders, lift and drop them into place
SIGHT SINGING Soli deo Gloria mark first solfege (Drmd) and then add words then in
rounds
*Kyrie on ya then words (eleison like lui diphthongs of Kiss me Softly)

9/25

Thursday
*do an action (like pointing) on a given syncopated (or particularly difficult) rhythm, especially when it is
a place like a key change that needs more energy and maybe speed of tempo.
*if the choir has an overabundance of energy at the beginning of class start with a soft and full oo
[DrmfsfmrD] pulling the string from the face/mouth, then move to a hand over head to keep the sound
lifted [i-a] D-SfmrD blending, not forced- think a beautiful melody (tenors alone going higher and then
basses alone going lower).
Festival =
Warmup (see above)
Kiss Me Softly have them CLOSE THEIR EYES and ask these questions: confident on notes?
Am I too loud or soft? If so, either bring sound out or back off more.
o Breathe together take time to breathe, not too fast or forced immediately before
entrance
o Good blending? Then work on dynamics (crescendo/decrescendo more)
Lots of AIR! in through the nose moment before trying to sing through the
phrase again (final time)
With pencil, mark spots where there shouldnt be breathing especially moving
moments that need to be heard through the choir

FIFTH WEEK

OBSERVATION
9/30 Tuesday
*Full teaching of both Treble and Festival Choirs while being observed by Dr. Brian Burns from UWP
SEE DETAILED LESSON PLANS

10/3

Friday
*Schinker Gone for a personal day (wedding)
SEE DETAILED LESSON PLANS

SIXTH WEEK

10/6

Monday
* Robe assignments? Fundraising? And how often to work on School Songs and the Star Spangled
Banner?
*start with descending warmups?
* Less explanation needed: for example, if they have experienced solfege enough, let them go with very
few cues/direction into a more complicated exercise.
* Use visual cues for the purpose of quickly reminding students of good production techniques
*Singing scale degree names: utilizing circle of fifths, be sure to take several 15 minute segments
periodically in order to get to using Singing scale degree names as a warmup.
* Tell them what you want to accomplish in the class period and jump right in with the section before, in
review moving into the part to work on and work slowly through, stopping and tuning.
Treble = SCHINKER
Warmup: move to place while doing easy warmup
o Staccato vs legato *hiii (short) hiii (long) haaaa (hopping+
o After enough review of solfege and are able to put it into rounds, then with some
veteran students get them started and let them go on Drd, Drmrd, Drmfmrd
o Visual cues! (hand out from with palm facing students= posture alignment)
Have half slouch and other half give an imaginary (non-touching) push between
shoulder blades
They straighten up and push shoulder blades together
o Singing scale degree names: CdefgabCbagfedC *say still good posture
Then Key of G, D, A utilizing circle of fifths, which has already been explained
and toiled over thus far.
Work with a specific couple measures or a more difficult passage, especially with higher spotswork with one section at a time and have the strong singers not sing to allow for the others to
have to sing out do away with the fear, and then have all sing the bit 3xs over!
Tell them what you want to accomplish (end section, and memorized) and quickly start in with
the review and work slowly through, stopping and tuning notes then remind about
performance etiquette, especially with choreography and memorized .
Festival = SCHINKER
Russian very short measure chunks to learn final section-ending
o S, A then together (men sitting) then switch sections and positions
o Put all together
Discuss progress thus far on how each song is coming along
o Review from the work done last week and hit it Monday to not have lost it over the
weekend
Why is King Jesus giving us trouble? The objective today= just to get rhythmic confidence on
last page.
o Try singing from m. 52 to the end Dont fix! Move on
Green : S/A solo verse fix diction spots for added energy/intention
o Work solos (1-2 as trying out voiced) while other Tenors sing the non-solo

10/7

Tuesday
RECORDED SELF!!!
*start warming up by descending (humming down the penta)

*[ah] D-M-S-M-D *working tummy muscles and talking about how to use breath support
Treble = SCALE SINGING ON THE NOTE NAMES
Liz Warmup worked more with fully inhaling/exhaling on counts 4-6-8 in and sh feel that
engagement??
Liz teaching Music Theory: Writing Gb and Db what is enharmonic about the F# scale weve
already written with Gb?
Festival =
Warmup
Liz with My Sweethearts like Venus *see lesson plan

10/8 Wednesday
*

SICK!!!

10/9

Thursday
* Balance between free phonation spaces (above the shoulders) and the engagement of full breath and
abdominal engagement.
Treble =
Liz Warmup: getting into the higher voice breathe in through the space youre going to sing
(open mouth and nose) and out on Mah from higher to lower
Liz Ave Verum Corpus

Balance between free phonation spaces (above the shoulders) and the engagement of full breath and abdominal engagement.

All sing soprano line, then all sing alto line, then sopranos sing alto line while altos sing soprano
line
Putting it all together (breath engagement and full phrases Lots of energy at last section - m.
30 on)

Festival =
SCALE SINGING ON THE NOTE NAMES
Warmup worked more with fully inhaling/exhaling on counts 4-6-8 in and sh feel that
engagement??
Writing Gb and Db what is enharmonic about the F# scale weve already written with Gb?

10/10 Friday
*more upbeat with Treble try not to lag with empty space. Younger singers need more direction
instruction reflection comes with maturity.
*breathing in through the space youre going to sing!
Treble =
Liz Warmup:
Proper posture, breathing and articulation.
A-Tisket, A-Tasket from the beginning, being sure of correct intervals, memorized.

Mix in pattern of 4 altos, 4 sopranos- requiring strong entrances and independency of energy
and sassy singing style.

Festival =
Liz Warmup: *breathing in through the space youre going to sing!
Singing with abdominal support Long phrases.
My sweethearts like Venus and try it in 1, not too fast, and hold the n ending.
They will be able to hear and produce the perfect clash.

SEVENTH WEEK

10/13 Monday
* Conducting = no bouncing the choir may sound disjunctive.
* Connect each beat dont say show!
* Stop and make them take your tempo- they have to come to you.
* Breathe in through nose and hiss out to help them understand/feel breath energy *intensity even in
soft dynamic.
Treble =
Warmup: Liz tried to implement swing/slide/bounce in a couple new exercises
Tisket listened to Ella should have made a better deal about asking for non-choir technique
(allowing sliding and such)
o Took each section alone to highlight and listen for sass.
Festival =
Warmup: Schinker
Sweetheart womens sectional: quicker tempo
o Bright vs Dark ask for louder dynamics, all sing sop. line V1
o Finding the balance and move to V2 with same energy **
Read through the soprano words, all sing sop part, review alto notes on ah.
o V3 same balance, same intensity soft volume (working in the crescendo m. 9)

10/14 Tuesday
*not preparing specific objectives for warmups (to go with your choral objectives for the days piece)
will almost always get you into a bind because you dont explain yourself well enough then the choir
loses that energetic pulse it needs to kick start the class period.
*start with an exciting warmup (descending at least every other day) followed by an exercise that can
use contrasting styles (light vs dark tone color, staccato vs legato, dynamic shifts, etc).
Treble =
Liz Warmup
(using more swing qualities on Tah to highlight first beat/pulse energy)
Liz T/T (listening to Ella and Etta) asking to notice spots of scooping and how they swell on
the word (being sure to demonstrate a swell).
Festival =

Liz Warmup
(singing SSB first overly bright then overly dark)
Sweetheart working contrast of Light and Dark singing, trying to encourage the best balance
while maintaining breath support and open spaces.

10/15 Wednesday
* Singing (w/o hand signs) on solfege VOWELS (staccato, then immediately legato)
* Hands at sides of face showing that youre trying to sing bigger than your face = Round
* Energy by the imagery of kneading\ stretching\ working dough (using that kinesthetic realization while
singing the scales)
Treble =
Schinker Warmup
Liz with sight-reading I Am His Child Moses Hogan (Christmas Music)
o Working on hearing initial intervals (So to Do-Mi, followed by an octave drop)
o Hearing minor 7th leaps as well as borrowed chords (altos with E/D flats)
Tisket/Tasket= sang through with the spunk and jazz qualities (energy) wed worked on
Mon/Tues.
Festival =
Schinker Warmup
All the way through King Jesus and picking solos for Kiss Me Softly ending with Green

10/16 Thursday
* Puffs of just breath (teacher playing) D-M-S-M- (phonate on hi) D-M-S-M-D Stacatto.
Then fast air (legato) with a hiss.
* Soli Deo Gloria : key signature? First note name? beginning 4 solfege pitch syllables.
All sing on Ta then pronounce proper Latin then in rounds (2s, 3s) then rounds in staccato.
* Performance technique practice! How to remain professional and not hands all over the place in front
of the audience, especially at the end of the piece with the directors hands still up.
Treble =
Schinker Warmup
Liz with sight-reading Love is Here to Stay - Gershwin discussing the tempo marking of jazz
swing
o Starting on page 8, run-through until m. 65 then back to the top with focus on the
chord building and movement at m. 62 into 63
From m. 54 again then alto notes, adding soprano IIs, then soprano Is
through the end of page 9
o Then soprano IIs from m. 68 through 83, adding soprano Is
Then altos solo section, moving through until m. 87
All together from m. 54 to the end!
Festival =
Liz Warmup: working on aligned/connected vowels [i-e-a-o-u] seamlessly/independently
o RESONANCE= inner echo

Sweetheart V1 with energy, focusing on where to stay lifted (focused/brighter) and making
sure to maintain round sound with smooth/aligned vowels
o V2= balance ahs with lyrics V3= discuss meaning (relationship of intermittent
showers in dealing with what you love) and how sometimes it is important to focus
on that one true love instead of letting business take over your life = V3 SOFT!!!

10/17 Friday

Accompanist here run through all songs