Three-Minute Teaching Plan #1 (REVISED)

Summary:
Students will improvise a rhythmic pattern using their instruments. They can use any rhythmic
pattern they want, but it must be similar to the previously played rhythm. For this activity, there
will be no backing track. A backing track will create too many potential bandwidth issues.
Objectives:
● Students will individually improvise a rhythmic pattern through a call-and-response
activity
● Students will be more comfortable with improvising

Standards:
● HIB.1 The student will use music composition as a means of creative expression.
○ a) Compose a four-measure rhythmic-melodic variation.
○ b) Improvise simple rhythmic and melodic examples in call-and-response styles.

Procedures:
● Introduce the activity, in which they will improvise a rhythmic pattern through a call-and-
response activity. When they are done, they will call out someone’s name to go next.
● Make sure they have their instruments ready to play
● Tell the class to make their pattern similar to the one before them
● The teacher will go first, to model to the class, then the rest of the class will go
● Get through as many students as possible.
● Once the time is up applaud the class for being brave and improvising

Assessment:
● Informally assess the student’s ability to improvise while listening
● Ask students to self reflect on the experience and their comfortability level with
improvisation
Reflection and Personal Feedback:

Overall, this lesson did not go as I had hoped it would. I did not fully take into

consideration bandwidth issues, which caused a plethora of audio and synchronization issues. I

learned very quickly that rhythmic activities do not work well synchronously on Zoom. From the

class’s feedback, I got the impression that this activity would be fantastic for an in-person lesson

but was not successful as an online lesson. It was interesting seeing the class’s reaction to my

backing track, as many of them are familiar with the tune. That connection was something that I

had hoped for. I believe simply that more time spent preparing for this lesson would have made it

better. I plan on doing something completely different for the next three-minute teaching session,

which will give me a great opportunity to learn from my past mistakes and improve upon them.

If I were to do this lesson over again, I would get rid of the backing track. This would get

rid of the majority of the audio and bandwidth problems. I would still make it a call-and-

response style activity, with each student playing different rhythms on their instruments. I had a

good presence in front of the class, even through the audio issues. Also, I did not anticipate the

three minutes going by so quickly. Next time, I plan to practice my lesson multiple times

beforehand so I will be more comfortable teaching in such a small period of time.