In This Conversation….
00:00 - Intro
01:27 - About Aileen
04:05 - Benefits of centers
08:33 - Should we do one concept or more than one concept in our centers?
12:38 - Aileen’s “formula” for center categories
20:11 - Setting up for success
26:45 - Choices, classroom management, and assessment : What to think about and options for structuring
32:45 - Centers for student choice: keeping it manageable and giving students ownership
41:53 - Scaffolding centers throughout grade levels
44:33 - Centers for band and choir
48:30 - Final thoughts and advice from Aileen: Giving grace
50:43 - Aileen’s centers course
52:00 - Where to connect with Aileen
About Aileen
Aileen Miracle just finished her twenty-fourth year of teaching in the Olentangy Local School District near Columbus, Ohio. This upcoming year, she will start a new position in the district, as the Unified Arts Curriculum Supervisor. Aileen received her Bachelor of Music Education from Central Michigan University in 1999, and her Master of Music in Music Education from Capital University in 2003; she completed her masters studies at the Kodály Institute in Kecskemet, Hungary. Aileen has served as President of the Tri-City Kodály Educators in Columbus, President and Treasurer of the Midwest Kodály Music Educators of America, and has served as the National Program Chair for the 2015 OAKE conference, co-chair for the 2019 OAKE conference, and will serve as chair for the 2023 OAKE conference. Aileen has taught Level I Methodology and Folk Song Research for Colorado State University's Kodály Program, Level I and III Methodology and Folk Song Research for DePaul University's Kodály Program, and Level III Methodology and Folk Song Research for Capital University’s Kodály Program. In 2016, Aileen was awarded “Teacher of the Year” at Cheshire Elementary. She has presented at OAKE Conferences, and currently presents workshops around the world. She enjoys sharing music education ideas through her blog, Aileen’s Music Room, and her podcast, The Music Room. Her family includes her 19-year-old daughter Jenna, who plays flute, guitar, and ukulele, and is an English major at Ohio University, and her 10-year-old daughter Macy, who loves to Irish dance!