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Teaching Ukulele in the General Music Classroom - Spring 2025


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Music ConstructED Online Learning
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Course Description

In recent years, the ukulele has become a popular and visible tool in the general music classroom. This course is designed to equip music educators with the skills to play and effectively teach the ukulele within their classrooms. Participants will reflect on their own teaching practices, explore current trends in ukulele instruction, and learn how to differentiate content to accommodate students with diverse educational needs. Additionally, educators will enhance their own playing skills.

Through researching various pedagogical approaches, teachers will leverage the knowledge and skills gained from this course to develop a tailored ukulele curriculum that fits their unique teaching context. Each reading and project in this class contributes to creating a comprehensive ukulele program for their school.

Instructor

Kate Hagen

Course Credit/Hours

ED 501 - 2 Credit Hours (75 student hours)

Dates

Spring 2025: January 13th - April 4th

SKU: GCTUGMC-012025

Course Objectives

After this course, students will:

  • Explain the historical and cultural significance of the ukulele, recognizing its impact on music and education.
  • Develop functional playing skills on the ukulele, enabling them to perform with confidence.
  • Cultivate pedagogical strategies for teaching the ukulele to beginning players, fostering a supportive learning environment.
  • Create a comprehensive ukulele curriculum along with supporting materials to enhance instructional effectiveness.
  • Differentiate content to meet the diverse educational needs of students, ensuring inclusive instruction.
  • Articulate a philosophy for incorporating the ukulele into the general music program to support advocacy, curriculum development, communication with parents and administrators, and securing funding for music programs

Prerequisites

Bachelor’s degree and teaching certificate in the area of music

Required Materials

  • Uke Can Do It!: Developing Your School Ukulele Program by Philip Tamberino ISBN: 978-1475804164
  • Ukulele Book of Students Choosing
  • Online Articles & Videos

Course Format & Requirements

Our courses utilize a custom Learning Management System (LMS). Our Music ConstructEd Online Courses are asynchronous and self-paced. You can correspond with your instructor and submit all assignments within the LMS. A syllabus with a suggested pacing guide will be emailed to you at the start of the class. Teaching Ukulele in the General Music Classroom is a fourteen-week course.

  • Teachers will need their own devices with a stable internet connection to access the digital Learning Management System (LMS) which is provided by Music ConstructED.
  • Access to Microsoft Word and PowerPoint or Google Docs and Google Slides (you can register for a free Google account if you do not already have one).

Online Activities will include:

  1. Videos: It is a course expectation to watch the videos in their entirety, which showcase various skills, techniques, and suggestions for enhancing student engagement.
  2. Readings: There are required readings that include articles and book chapters.
  3. Students will self-pace the coursework.
Refund Policy for Music ConstructED Graduate Courses

Within 14 days: For a period of 14 days before the start of the course, a full refund will be given on the total amount of tuition fees paid, less processing fees and registrar fees, at the time of cancellation. The student must notify Music ConstructED in writing via email or letter received on or before the 14-day period. If you apply for a refund within 14 days of the course start date, our refund policy does not apply. However, you can transfer to a different MCED course by paying the registration fee of $55 per graduate credit.

Here is the class outline:

Graduate Course Introduction

Information and policies for students in the course and registering instructions for credit through CSU. This Module takes approximately 1 hour to complete.

Uke Can Do It!

Discover innovative approaches to teaching the ukulele that align with your unique teaching style, position, and the resources available within your program, and identify actionable strategies to introduce or enhance a ukulele program in your school. This module takes approximately 12 hours to complete.

The History

Explore the history of the ukulele and trace its path to popularity in music education. and meet the influential musicians who have played a pivotal role in promoting this versatile instrument.This module takes approximately 12 hours to complete.

Ukulele Basics

Begin by familiarizing yourself with the function of each part of the ukulele and the various tuning options available. Finally, identify strategies to differentiate your ukulele instruction, tailoring your approach to meet your student’s diverse needs and abilities. This module takes approximately 9.5 hours to complete.

Chords and Charts

Explore finger exercises to improve dexterity and control, essential for ukulele playing. Next, build confidence in navigating the fretboard, reading chord charts, and executing smooth chord transitions. Finally, apply this knowledge to guide your students effectively, setting them on a path to success. This module takes approximately 15 hours to complete.

Curricular Resources:

Navigate the vast array of curricular materials available, from books to online resources, to find those best suited to your teaching goals. Using the articles "Ukulele: Method Book or YouTube?" and "Ukulele Method Books Collection," reflect on your teaching contexts and identify resources that effectively support your students’ learning and curricular objectives. This module takes approximately 8 hours to complete.

Reaching All Learners

Explore inclusive strategies to support every student in your ukulele instruction and identify the approaches that best align with your unique teaching environment. This module takes approximately 4 hours to complete.

Reflection and Refinement

Reflect on your learning throughout the course and determine your next steps for continued growth and implementation in your teaching practice. This module takes approximately 3 hours to complete.

Final Project

Compile the knowledge and assignments you've gathered throughout the course to create a comprehensive Ukulele Curriculum tailored specifically to meet the needs of your students. This module takes approximately 4 hours to complete.

Graduate Course Completion

Final important information for the student including CSU Transcripts and accessing grades.

Completion

The following certificates are awarded when the class is completed:

MCED Graduate Course Certificate of Completion - ED 501 2 Credit
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