Mindsets and Music: My #IMMOOC Response, Week 2

My #IMMOOC Response, Week 2 for George Couros's book "The Innovator's Mindset"

Hey you.  Yeah you.....  What's your learner's mindset?  Do you think you can only learn how to do something if you were born with that talent?  -OR-   Do you believe you can learn how to do anything you set mind to if you work hard to accomplish it?  -OR-  Do you not only believe you can learn and grow, but that you have the ability to create something new and better?

Let's break it down, folks... and yes, of course, you know me....we are going to tie this to my favorite subject in the world: music.

As a music teacher, I am thrilled to see George Couros did just that.  On pg. 33, of his book "The Innovator's Mindset" he uses a "playing-the-piano" example to describe 3 different mindsets learners have.  So happy :)

• With a fixed mindset, a person might not think they can play the piano.  
• With a growth mindset, they believe that with hard work and practice, they can learn to play.

BUT... (insert drum roll here.....)

• With an INNOVATOR'S MINDSET, not only do they think they can learn how to play the piano, they believe they can create something new and better, or in other words compose their own music on the piano.

As a music teacher, my friends sometimes confess their deepest, darkest, musical secrets to me.

"My choir teacher asked me to lip sync at our concert" 

"I got kicked out of chorus in 2nd grade because I wouldn't stop talking...my mom was told to pick me up and never bring me back"  :/

"I fake-played my recorder at my elementary concert because I didn't remember how to do it" ;)  

"My kids tell me not to sing at bedtime or in public because I sound soooo horrible" 

"My dog used to hide when I played the trumpet"

OUCH!!! 

These tragic musical tales always begin with "I'm a terrible musician" or "I don't know anything about music,"  Then... I get the gory, grim details.  But, what if these events that shaped my friends' thoughts about their musical ability could have been changed with a shift in mindset and a touch of encouragement?  

As teachers, I believe WE can be a big part of the mind-shifting process!  

First, let's help them transform those fixed mindsets into growth mindsets!  We (teachers) need to be constant cheerleaders of student learning.  Kids need to be told (all the time) that we KNOW they can do it.  We BELIEVE in them!  They've GOT THIS!  Encourage, Encourage until they have the courage to make a learning-leap-of-faith.  

But Couros pushes us in his book to not stop there.  Don't just learn how to do something that others already can do.  Learn to create.  Innovate.  Be the kind of person that can make something new and better.   Have an innovator's mindset!

Back to music for a sec....When we think of the greatest musical performers and composers of all time, the biggest reason they became influential was because of their innovative musical contributions, right?! Well, then, let's tell kids that this is the kind of thinking that is going to bring them the satisfaction they truly deserve.  Let's tell them that they have the power to change the world and be creative geniuses!

I have a message for all of my friends that have carried these tragic tales all their lives: (My sad story, by the way, is from elem. P.E., sniff sniff)...

---->  First of all, I'm really sorry 'bout the bad stuff that happened to you when you were in school. (hugs) I STILL believe you can do it.  You can still be the next Mozart.  You've got this.  It is time to warm up your signing voice, dust off your old recorder and warn the kids and dog.  It is not too late.  You'll be great.  :)

Developing Curiosity Within Students: My #IMMOOC Response, Week 1

My #IMMOOC Response, Week 1

Below are my reflections on the introduction of the book, "The Innovator's Mindset," by George Couros.  Feel free to read my thoughts about my journey through this new adventure of learning and growing.   #101alag

------------------------------------------------------

I've been sharing with my students about an amazing book study I just joined! #IMMOOC

As I began this journey into the Introduction of George Couros's book "The Innovator's Mindset" this week, a few powerful quotes have jumped out at me and have taken a hold of my thinking.

1. "Change is an opportunity to do something amazing." (pg3)
2. "If students leave school less curious than when they started, we have failed them." (pg6)

Well, this makes me curious...how can we, as teachers develop curiosity. Instead of teaching our "material" TO them, can we help THEM teach themselves, ask questions, search for answers, help one another?

This is a difficult thing for me... to step back.  Is it maybe because I'm a music teacher?  I'm used to being the director of the show, on the stage, up on the podium, right?!  But in class, as we are learning about music, I need to start stepping OFF the podium once in a while and give the power of learning to the students.

On page 4, Couros tells us that it is OUR responsibility to "spark a curiosity that empowers students to learn on their own. To wonder. To explore. To become leaders."

Okay, Couros....I don't want to let go of the reigns...but I'll give it a try.

This week's music lesson for 3rd-5th grade---> I gave the kids a Google Slide about different Tempo terms to complete.  I made a nifty template with lots of bells and whistles that they had to manipulate.  Each got a copy via Google Classroom (thanks, Google Classroom...love ya!).  But, the main goal was for THEM to do the research and come up with their own examples of things in the world that show each specific tempo.  They could add anything to represent their examples: videos, pictures, text, drawings.  I gave a suuuuper quick lesson of how to add images/videos and how to do cool Google-y Slide tricks (moving images across the screen, adding a background, etc)

Then I did something scary.  I stepped back.

If they came to me with a question, I asked the class "Who know's how to do yadda yadda..."  A few hands would go up and those students would go to them for answers.  I was honest when they asked me something I didn't know how to do.  I told them that I bet they could find someone in the room who might know the answers!

It only took a minute.  They were deep into this project.  They were asking each other questions.  They were  curiously searching and learning on their own.  I saw the wonder, exploration and leadership mentioned in the book.  Their slides were absolutely genius too!  They had slides with tempo themes revolving around Superheros, Pokemon, animals, and more.

After 55 minutes in music, it was time to end class.  This is true: I heard these words... "No!".... "I want to keep working!" ..."I'm doing this at home tonight!" ... "Thank you Mrs. Jensen!" ... "That was so fun!"

The icing on the cake were the boys in 4th grade that clung to their chairs when their class lined up.

I'm thankful for my learning this week from #IMMOOC.  "The Innovator's Mindset: Empower Learning, Unleash Talent, and Lead a Culture of Creativity."  I'm hooked! ;)