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Name: Christine DeSantis
School: Beaverdam Elementary School
Grades: K-5
# Years of teaching: 7
1) How would you describe your music curriculum?
I would describe my music curriculum as eclectic - Orff, Kodaly, and Dalcroze mixed with lots of world music, drumming, and listening!
2) What is your favorite lesson/concept/instrument to teach?
I love teaching lessons where the students compose and create the music! It gives them such a sense of ownership and pride in their work, and every class creates something different, which keeps me on my toes! I also love teaching the kids about jazz (it's my favorite musical style), and teaching them how to improvise.
3) Do you like to have a theme(s) throughout the school year?
My school chooses a theme for each school year, and I try to tie it into what we are doing in the music room. We also have monthly listening examples, and we focus on the genre of the piece we are listening to that month. And of course we celebrate MIOSM month in March and Jazz Appreciation in April!
4) Are there any particular resources (books, CDs, DVDs, software) you like to use throughout the year?
I love Jeff and Randy's curriculum, GAMEPLAN. It is an amazing collection of their best materials organized into a logical and fun sequence. It's also been a wonderful tool when working with practicum students and student teachers.
5) Are there any particular instruments you like to use throughout the year?
I am very lucky to have a large instrumentarium, and we use everything as often as possible! We have the traditional barred instruments, a classroom set of tubanos, and a closet full of handheld percussion instruments galore! But I would have to say that the student's #1 favorite instrument in the music room is the accordion! I play Happy Birthday for them, and they LOVE it when it's someone's birthday when they come to music.
6) Favorite quote or philosophy:
My favorite quote about music comes from Shakespeare - "The earth has music for those who listen." I stole my philosophy of life and teaching from the Beatles - "All you need is love." And all the students need is love!
7) Do you have a person, educator, composer, performer who has been your inspiration?
My cooperating teacher from my student teaching experience in college, Jimmy Hicks, has been incredibly influential in my life as a teacher. He introduced me to the magic that can happen in the elementary school music classroom, and I was hooked!
8) What is one item on your classroom wish list?
Recording equipment! I want to be able to share what we are doing in the classroom with parents and teachers.
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