Taught by the Students

Ruth Gurgel, Assistant Professor of Music Education, is the specialist in Elementary Music Education at Kansas State University. She has taught music in Colorado and Wisconsin and now continues to present her research at national and international conferences.

Full of real classroom experiences, interviews and observations, Taught by the Students will be a valued resource for preservice teachers, teacher educators and veteran teachers who are looking to build stronger relationships with their students and establish an engaging classroom environment. A practical look into the classroom application of cultural relevant teaching principles, from the perspective of teachers and students, this book provides a glimpse of theory in action.

• PREFACE PART 1: The Path to Engagement. What Engages Students in Music Class?Chapter 1: Introduction: Culturally Relevant Pedagogy and Music Education. Chapter 2. “Why Should I Sing For You?” Student Perspectives on Relationships. Chapter 3. Hip-Hop in the Classroom: Student Perspectives on Musical RepertoireChapter 4. Challenging, Clear, Interesting: Student Perspectives on Instruction. Part 2: Disengagement: Interpretations, Cycles, and InterventionsChapter 5. Students’ Musical Behaviors: Talking, Laughing, Singing, MovingChapter 6. Guessing Wrong: How Students’ Behavior can be Misinterpreted in the Classroom Chapter 7. Spiraling Downward: The Effects of Disengagement, Misunderstanding, and “Behavior Talk” Chapter 8. Recognizing and Reversing the Disengagement Cycle: “Classroom Management” and Student AutonomyChapter 9. Lessons to Learn: Music Education, Culturally Relevant Pedagogy and Student EngagementAppendix A: Research Questions Appendix B: Methodology and ProceduresBibliography