Music Education

This course introduces students to foundational principles and current issues in music education, centering issues of diversity, inclusion, and social justice. It explores intersections of music, education, people, and social identities including class, race/ethnicity, gender, and sexuality.

Topics include teacher identities; cultural humility; anti-racist and critical pedagogies; trauma-informed approaches; ableism, disability and neurodiversity; gender-affirming approaches; and the policies, history, and politics surrounding these issues.

This course examines aspects of instruction in the elementary school classroom. Topics include lesson planning and pacing; navigating curriculum documents; finding and critically evaluating teaching resources; assessment and evaluation; classroom and behaviour management, maximizing student engagement; working with vulnerable populations; trauma-informed approaches; and professional ethics.

The primary practical implementation of these concepts will be in the elementary school music classroom and will demonstrate interactive, play, and movement-based approaches drawn from Kodály, Dalcroze, and Orff methods.

An introduction to classroom instruments (ukulele, recorder, barred instruments, percussion) is also included.

This course explores both traditional and evolving leadership models in school music settings, with particular focus on the potential of student-centred approaches to establish relationships, promote authentic learning, encourage independent thought, and foster leadership in others.

The course examines approaches and resources for teaching music ensembles in school and community settings. Students will develop practical strategies to create and maintain vibrant music education programs through ensemble participation.

Additional topics include integrating curriculum outcomes in ensemble rehearsals; long- and short-term program planning; selecting inclusive and diverse repertoire; collaboration as part of a school team; and professionalism.

This course examines aspects of instruction in the high school classroom. Topics include implementing social constructivist approaches in practice; lesson planning and delivery; finding and critically evaluating teaching resources; assessment and evaluation; aligning goals, activities, and assessment using Bloom’s Taxonomy; Universal Design for Learning; integrating technology; working with vulnerable populations including queer and gender-expansive youth; trauma-informed approaches; and professional ethics. The primary practical implementation of these concepts will be in the high school music classroom.

This practical course acquaints the student with the basic skills necessary for the playing and teaching of the instruments of the brass family. It concentrates on basic embouchure formation, posture, hand position, fingering or slide position, proper breathing, and methodology. 

This course introduces selected principles, research findings, and theories of psychology considered relevant to teaching and learning. Topics include: human development and learning, including developmental changes; motivational and learning processes; exceptionalities and other individual differences; dynamics of social groups; and the evaluation of teaching and learning. 

This course explores historical and contemporary issues in Indigenous education. Topics may include traditional forms of education, colonial forms of education, Indigenous control of Indigenous education, and the Indigenization of education.