Comparing Time Use and Teacher Behaviors in Beginning and Advanced Middle School Band Settings: An Exploratory Study

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare teachers’ time use and teaching behaviors including teacher talk, modeling, physical location/proximity to students, conducting, and instructional choices in middle school (Grades 6–8) beginning and advanced band settings, with the goal of identifying practices that are specific or unique to each setting. Participants ( N = 5) were expert middle school teachers who were recorded while teaching a heterogeneous beginning band and an advanced band class. I compared episodes of teacher and student behaviors including instruction, modeling, group/individual performance, and student talk, documenting frequency and time use in both settings. Results indicated differences in frequency and time for all observed episodes, with differences supporting greater emphasis placed on individuals in the beginning setting. I also found that teachers in the advanced setting addressed rehearsal frame targets representing traditional rehearsal goals more frequently (e.g., phrasing, articulation), whereas teachers in the beginning setting addressed targets representing typical beginning band goals more frequently (e.g., vocabulary/terms, rhythm literacy.)

Rethinking the Traditional Wind Band

“…Hopkins (2015) stated that because of performance obligations, band directors tend to focus more on getting their students sounding good instead of offering a variety of musical experiences for their student. Much of the research in wind band is focused on rehearsal technique, classroom management, and concept teaching (Blocher, Greenwood, & Shellahamer, 1997;Glover, 2015;Howard, 2001;Hubbard, 2013;Juchniewicz, Kelly, & Acklin, 2014;Rush, 2006;Singletary, 2016;Whiteside, 2013). Opportunities for world music, informal learning, culturally responsive teaching, and creativity find a better fit in the general music classroom (Carlos R Abril, 2013;Campbell, 2002Campbell, , 2004Campbell, , 2018Campbell, ProQuest, & Queensland Conservatorium Research, 2005;Lind & McKoy, 2016).…”