Bryan Van Pelt's bportfolio

        Standard 9 states teacher leaders evaluate and use effective curriculum design. To accomplish this learning goal, I took the course Curriculum Design in the the summer of 2018.   From this course I learned how to properly design a unit of instruction within a music context. One interesting aspect is that this course was taken simultaneously as I completed my Kodaly certification (a specific pedagogical style of music education).   Both my Kodaly course and the Curriculum Design course focused around planning large music units.           Prior to the Curriculum Design course I had two main thoughts.   First, I knew I had a lack of comprehensive unit planning, specifically in the middle school area.   My training and coursework thus far in my career did not prepare me for middle school general music, something that is highly uncommon. I have been designing the curriculums in a “tr...

Course goals/Program Standards:  Standard #9:  evaluate and use effective curriculum design Prior Thoughts:         Prior to this course I had two main thoughts.  First, I knew I had a lack of comprehensive unit planning, specifically in the middle school area.  My training and coursework thus far in my career did not prepare me for middle school general music, something that is uncommon. I have been designing the curriculums in a “trial by fire” method and relying on student feedback to implement necessary changes.  Second, I reflected on my assessment methods and realized I rely too heavily on a couple of assessments.  My methods are not diverse enough to ensure all students have an opportunity to display their learning in a manner that suits them.  Reflection: Through completion of EDU6524 I have gained new perspective on curriculum design.  The three big takeaways I will implement within my teaching are as follows...