Global Competencies

My lesson addresses the following global competencies:

• Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

• Innovation, Creativity, and Entrepreneurship 

• Collaboration

• Communication 

• Learning to Learn/Self-Aware and Self Directed

I could tweak my lesson to include the following global competencies: 

Global citizenship and sustainability 

The lesson plan expresses support of equity, diversity, and inclusion by including a vast selection of musical examples such as the batâ drums from the Yoruba people of Nigeria and the drum language of Tabla. I could do additional research into other cultures and musicians from around the world who may use encoded messages in music. There are opportunities for researching the music of Indigenous peoples and to have students compare and contrast the instruments that they use, the musical styles, and the composition process. 

Originally, when I designed this lesson, I made it a conscious effort to include as many of these global competencies as possible. One challenge I had at the time of creation was finding enough information to support my research, which is why I chose to focus my lesson on the genres that I did. As we know, Western Classical Music is far more documented and easily accessible. This could open up some opportunities for students to do inquiry-based learning and find other examples of musical genres that use encoded messages in music. They could engage in the Critical Thinking and Problem Solving process about why certain types of music are more well-documented than others.

How does music education address the six identified global competencies?

Music education is all about collaborating, communicating, and learning to problem solve as an ensemble unit. Students are constantly engaging in the listening and reflection process, not just with themselves, but alongside their peers. When they are rehearsing individually, they are being self directed and learning to learn utilizing metacognition strategies. Bringing their own individual skills to the group and then rehearsing and performing together as an ensemble is all part of the creative process. Learning about world music through listening exercises, analysis, and performance will help develop Global Citizenship skills. 

How does the lesson plan address the principles of UDL?

Multiple means of engagement:

• Students are engaging in the learning through class discussion, peer review, and self-reflection

• Performance aspect options support students of all learning styles; opportunities to play to their strengths when showcasing their learning

• Mix of teacher driven content with modelled scaffolding and self-exploration activities 

• Room for differentiation in the lesson activity (composing multiple parts as an extension, composing for different instruments)

Multiple means of representation: 

• Visuals, speech, and sounds in the lesson presentation 

• Students have the opportunity to learn from one another through group work and pair discussions

Coded Compositions Lesson Plan