Informal Principal Observation, Music Mind Games Dynamic Lesson

Last week my principal walked in very unexpectedly for an informal observation, I quickly had to come up with something more "captivating" for her then I had planned. I used the Music Mind Games dynamic cards (from music symbol cards set 1)and different body positions. I began my lesson with "Do what I do," to the students and went through the different dynamic body positions and words. Next, we used the Dynamic Cards placing them in order and playing Fine. Once the students understood dynamics in Italian and the English translated, (which only took about 10 minutes) we spoke a poem putting dynamics (and the body movements) to it, and finally listened to a piece of music acting the dynamic levels.

My principal left and all she said was, "I enjoyed your lesson today."

Coming from my school, I honestly wasn't sure what that ment UNTIL the staff meeting the next day. She said to everyone how wonderful the lesson was, how it used all the senses, physically moving to show dynamics, speaking them, using another language, using the dynamic cards. She enjoyed the lesson so much she had me "teach" the lesson again to the staff. She wanted the other teachers to model the Music Mind Game approach (of positive thinking, and appealing to all senses) in all subjects of teaching.

The Music Mind Games materials and approach is WONDERFUL, everytime I'm observed I use something from the book and Level 1 class, I always get wonderful reviews about how engaged the students are and how wonderful it is that each student uses manipulatives.