Beginning on Monday, March 16, all Elmbrook Schools will move to virtual learning and no students will report to school. “Well, that’s awesome. An extra week of spring break,” I thought. I was completely unaware that my life, as well as my family’s, my friends’, my colleagues’ and my students’ lives were all about to change. Fourth and Fifth Grade band was no longer taking place in room 110, but was going to operate solely online through the use of Zoom lessons, chromebooks, and the internet.
Luckily, my students were prepared. My district had already implemented a learner-centered Universal Design approach to instrumental music. My students knew their learning progressions, they were well-versed in the learning management system, and they were able to self-evaluate their performance, track their progress, and set goals for growth.
When school finally ended on June twelfth, only two fourth graders and three fifth graders had not engaged in virtual learning, and a significant number of students worked well beyond the expectations of a typical year.
Spring 2020 Data:
- 4th grade band: 35 total students 5th grade band tota:l 48 students
- Did not engage in distance learning: 6% Did not engage in distance learning: 6%
- Engaged but did not reach proficiency: 0% Engaged but did not reach proficiency: 6%
- Reached proficiency: 60% Reached proficiency: 58%
- Exceeded proficiency: 34% Exceeded proficiency: 29%
There are a number of factors that contributed to this success.