I just finished my elementary general music portion of student teaching. I had a wonderful experience, thanks to my cooperating teacher. She created a perfect learning environment.

Here is what I learned:

I learned the best musicians need to be teaching elementary music.

In order to teach elementary you must love kids. You cannot fake it.

Make sure the information is given to them at there level. The students misbehaved the most when I was delivering information over their heads.

You can’t be their friends. However, this does not mean you have to be an evil teacher. If you try to be their friend they will walk all over you. Show them you care by putting time into your lessons and involving every student.

Make everything activity based.

Use all the technology available. Just by putting information into a PowerPoint presentation students were more engaged.

I will continue this list later. I have to start working on some waste of time paper for the College of Education.