Adams-Friendship Middle School Band Program

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Important Information 

*http://teche.pbworks.com/Social-Networking

* Syllabus

KWL #2 (See Syllabus)

I am taking this class for 3 credits.  For 3 credits, a requirement of this class is to incorporate something that I've learned from this class into my band curriculum for next year.  I plan to work directly with Trea Kimball, HS Band Director, on this.  I can see us doing the following:

1) Share band ideas with each other and keep notes on what did/did not go well

2) Share band ideas with other directors

3) Create a social networking for the Adams-County Community Band, Friendship Brass, AFMS Band Program, and AFHS Band Program 

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KWL #3 (See Syllabus)

A self-assessment to reflect on learning and application of course content.

I have found this course to be very valuable.  While I'm pretty efficient on computers, there is a lot of new information out there!  I want to keep up with the kids or, at least, be able to chat 'tech talk' with them.  I would enjoy putting a lot of this information on my band website for students and parents to enjoy.  I think I am really going to like Google Docs and FrontPage.  I'm already familiar with Skype and Facebook.  I did NOT care for some of the other applications because I felt that they either did the same thing (as applications that I already know how to operate) or they were not user friendly...Grou.ps wasn't user-friendly.  

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What tool do I see myself using for an implementation plan?

I definitely see myself using Google Docs; moreover, I see myself using Google Docs directly with the high school band director.  We do a lot of the same things (fundraisers, parades, recruiting) and it would be nice to bounce ideas off of each other.  It would also be nice to use Google Docs as a self-reflection tool with my band kids.  For example, after we perform at large-group festival, it would be nice to see their reflections on what we did well and what we need improvement on - they are their own BEST teacher!  I can also see Google Docs being effective for band parents.....as parents read information (about upcoming concerts, parades, etc.), they can either ask questions or inform me if they have a question or concern.  This would save me from excessive phone messages and emails.

This process would need to start at the beginning of the school year, since most of the year is extremely busy with parades, concerts, fundraisers, etc.  I would use this on the following:

1) Wo-Zha-Wa Parade

2) Cranberry Festival Parade

3) Fall Concert

4) Holiday Concert

5) UW-Eau Claire Pep Band Performance

6) Solo & Ensemble

7) Spring Concert

8) Candles & Cabaret

9) Candy & Soda Fundraisers

10) Band Fun Nights (Chula Vista and Skate City)

I was thinking about how I was going to get this process going with parents, band students, administration, etc.  At the beginning of the school year, I hand out a band handbook with all of the expectations for the year, concert dates/times, waiver form, rules and procedures, etc.  At the end of the handbook, there is a place for parents and students to sign that they have read the handbook and understand all procedures and rules for the year.  They also have to sign the website waiver form where I'm able to put their picture and name on the band website sponsored through the Adams-Friendship Area School District.  This would also be the PERFECT spot for parents to have access to Google Docs.

Throughout the year, I send out TONS of information via email and snail mail about upcoming parades, concerts, fundraisers, trips, etc.  As a result, this usually creates lots of questions (I also know that Trea has the same dilemma at the high school) and emails that I receive on either my office phone or computer.  My school time is very precious to me, and I sometimes find myself spending excessive time making phone calls and answering emails that could be avoided.  I think creating a Google Docs page would be a quick and easy reference page for parents to find out information and at the same time they could ask questions and get questions answered in a timely manner.  

There are some features about Google Docs that I really like.  For example, Google Docs safely stores and organizes material.  I wouldn't want alterations made to the original documents that I would post for people to view.  I can control who sees the documents - this feature is nice, especially when I plan to have a list for band parents and band students.  I will also have email lists for the same two groups.  

I also have an Adams-Friendship Middle School Band website.  I will definitely put a link on there where band parents and kids can access documents (and of course, use Google Docs).

I really don't have a lesson plan for what I'm planning to do for the upcoming school year.  My plan is to incorporate more technology into the middle school band program.  I'm also trying to find easier alternatives for parents and students to get information.  I foresee this being a huge part of my Professional Development Plan for the upcoming school year.  

Standards Addressed:

Blog - Identify and define basic terminology

Understand the purpose for a blog

Set up a blog and post

Post comments to a blog

Identify and define basic terminology for social bookmarking

Understand the purposes for social bookmarking

Create my own social bookmarks using online tools

Upload a project that can be viewed by others

Upload various files such as audio, videos, images, and slideshows to enrich

Identify and explain the purpose of collaborative productivity tools

Understand how to edit and save a document using Google Docs

Collaborate with others using collaborative productivity tools such as Google Docs

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I would like to thank Sheri Ebert for her knowledge, patience, and friendship!