Digital Tools for Class and for At-Home Practice
In the Hawthorne Middle School Band, we will be employing several tools - including digital tools. These individual tools are outlined in your syllabus, the curriculum guide, and in the expectations guide. Here is a list of all the tools being used in our classes and links for student login. Please take the time to favorite them on your browser for easy access. Don't forget to check out the Practicing section in the Resource tab!
Success is earned, not freely given!
Success is earned, not freely given!
Google Classroom:
We will be using a hybrid model for instruction. All new information is posted onto our Google Classroom along with assignments, recordings, schedule reminders, class evaluations, and much more. Please log into your Google Classroom account often - if not every day for new information and updates. Instruction on how Google classroom and the other digital tools that are used in class will be gone over several times to assist all students. Parents wishing to learn more about these tools are welcome to come to our Band-Parent meetings or to contact me directly.
Students: remember, all dates and due dates for assignments are crucial to your individual success! Be prompt in turning in materials and responding appropriately in class.
Lessons and Modules:
These are digital interactive lessons that can be done from at home or any device connected to the internet. Please remember they are not directly connected to the Google Classroom and reports must be done manually. Please log in to Google Classroom often - if not daily - to make sure you are getting everything you need to be successful. If a digital lesson is assigned, students will have a three day heads-up before the lesson is actually due. Students are encouraged to look ahead at these lessons for early completion should their schedule permit it. All parents wishing to learn more about these lessons and modules are welcome to come to our Band-Parent meetings or to contact me directly.
Students: remember, all dates and due dates for assignments are crucial to your individual success! Be prompt in turning in materials and responding appropriately in class.
Apps - Your key to YOUR learning.
As apps and technology continues to expand, so do the tools I suggest. Some of these I utilize in my every-day classroom. However, I am also encouraging students who wish to take their learning into their own hands, to push and accelerate on their own wishes or need extra help to investigate these apps. I have put them into three types, iOS platform only apps, Android Only apps, and apps that are available on both platforms. Simply click on the picture of the app you wish to investigate. I leave it to you, the parent/guardian and student to decide what tool suits your learning best.
There are two kinds of apps, one is utility and the other is learning. Utility apps simply are reference points or they help in general playing. They do not really engage in the learning directly, but they are important all the same (tuner apps and metronome apps fall into this category). Learning apps go into instruction, provide drills/practice for students and are directly involved in the learning process.
Dual platform apps - these are apps on both system types
MusicTutor: This is a fantastic way to learn your notes on the quick side. We use this program for our 60-in-a-minute challenge. (Android link) (ios link)
DrumCoach: I am recommending this to all my percussion students. This is a guided practice app built by a percussion instructor. These step-by-step guided practice sessions help all students master the drums in slow pieces that best fit them. (Android link) (iOS link) Perfect Ear: This app has it all. From rhythm training, to note reading, to aural skills. I am highly recommending this app to all my students who seek to be the best musician they can be. (Android link) (iOS link) Tonal Energy: This is a powerful tuner and metronome combo app that is simply amazing. It encourages proper intonation and has a metronome style that cannot be found easily anywhere else. (Android link) (iOS link) |
iOS apps only
Bandmate Chromatic Tuner - the only tuner of it's kind where it shows you not only if you're in tune, but where you are playing on the staff. I cannot stress how important this tuner is for beginning students.
ReadRhythm - a fun way to challenge your rhythmic skills. This learning app is great for challenging how accurate you are rhythmically while keeping it fun. Fingering for iPad - this utility app has all the finger combinations/slide positions for EVERY wind instrument including some of the more odd ones! I highly recommend this for any music student. The Drum Dictionary - an amazing utility apps for percussionists. We all know there are hundreds of different kinds of rudiments, drumming patterns, and kit grooves. This app has them all right at your finger tips to learn from and look up as a reference. |
Android apps only
Clefs : If music tutor is not right for you, and you want more structure to your learning, I highly recommend Clefs to be your new friend. This wonderful app takes it at a much slower pace with a wider option for learning and various types of learners.
Fingering & Tuning Charts: This app has ALL of the fingerings, intonation tendencies and recommended tuning notes for wind instruments. If you have an android, this is definitely the app for you to help you with fingering and intonation tendencies for each note. |
Ningenius (This is both an app and a computer program we use):
This website/app is fantastic as it allows students to train their music literacy skills online that is set for their specific instrument and skill level. This is an exciting new tool that we will be using. Every student will have the opportunity to challenge themselves, advance at their pace, and have unique learning experience based on their specific instrument. This will go in combination to our usage of "Band-Karate". Student Login Portal |