Chapter 8 questions to consider

Consider a lesson plan you might use. Which metacognitive skills/abilities are involved as students gain facility/knowledge in this domain?

Think of an activity or lesson component that explicitly teaches one or more metacognitive and one or more problem solving skills.

     A lesson plan that I would use would consist of using a piece of music to emphasize a certain aspect of playing an instrument.  For example, a beautiful lyrical piece of music such as Perthshire Majesty by Samuel R. Hazo, can be used to work on phrasing and expressiveness.  Though the notes in a slower song are easier to play, many students overlook the fact that slower music is actually more difficult to play well.  Slower pieces of music emphasize tuning, phrasing, and tone quality, all important aspects of playing an instrument.  In a slow piece of music, the students must constantly be listening to themselves and the others around them, thinking "is this the best tone I can have" and "am I in tune with the ensemble?"  The slow music gives the students the oppurtunity to really focus on specific aspects of playing their instrument.