DAY 1
Objective: to introduce students to the unit and to allow them to experience some preliminary exercises
First ask students how a human being and an instrument can be compared. Ask such questions as: What condition does an instrument have to be in if it is going to play well? It must be well-tuned. Well, just as an instrument must be well-tuned in order to play well; so must an individual be well-tuned if he/she is to function as effectively as possible.
What are some of the ways we can be tuned up? (Try to get students to see that if our senses are well sharpened, we are better able to concentrate and, therefore, will be prepared to learn better).
Advise students we will be working on a series of exercises to help them develop these skills. Explain that many of these can be done at their seats. Some will require some movement. Many times the class will be working altogether. Sometimes we will work in pairs and sometimes in small groups. Some exercises will take only a few minutes while others will take a whole period. There are times when we will have to act as an audience. That is our concentration will be on others. Can anyone tell me how a good audience will respond? As an audience we will learn to evaluate. What is evaluation? How are you evaluated throughout the year. As an audience we will learn to make positive evaluations and make comments that will help each person. Let’s make a list of some positive comments an audience might make. Now, let’s make a list of some negative things an audience might do. As an audience member, always try to think about how you would feel if you were up there?
We are now going to try a simple exercise. I am going to ask half the class to remain seated and ask the other half to move to the front of the room and stand. (Make sure that students do not sit or lean or hide behind anyone). The standing group is made to stand until the leader (teacher) sees that all are uncomfortable standing and being watched. Those seated are instructed to focus attention on those standing.
