Our latest episode is all about music class procedures and building a positive community within each class. You can listen to MTCT #23 here.
Some of the things we talked about:
·
Music Making: Bring the joy of music to them as soon as
possible.
o
Start the class with a “no-fail” singing game or
chant. This could be a singing or chanting name game. Is there a singing game
students have begged to play again and again in class in your past years? Start
the year and your class with that
gem!
o
Aim to include singing, moving/dancing, and
playing instruments, within the first 4 lessons.
Rapport: Build relationships between you and the class
o
Use students’ names frequently, (this will help
you memorize names quicker, too.)
o
Smile and be willing to share a laugh with the
students.
o
Talk to kids when they’re not in music class and
show that you care about them.
o
Share a few of your “what I did on my summer
vacation” pictures with each class. (They need to know about you, too.)
o
Verbalize why you became a music teacher.
o
Give a short performance for each class. You are
a musician, too. Share that part of you.
· Rules: Communicate your behavior management plan and
class rules on the first or second day.
o
Keep it simple. More than 4 or 5 rules is too
many.
o
Emphasize mutually respect. (Pair and share: “I
want my teacher to know:__________”)
o
Give specific examples of following or not
following a classroom rule.
·
Procedures to Practice:
- Coming in to the room
- Mindful Minutes
- Reading the learning target
- Lining up/Leaving the room
- Asking a question
- Pair and Share/”Back to Class”
- Bathroom procedures
- Time Out procedure
- Answering the phone
- Fire Drill
- Lock-Down
- Making a Circle
- Moving in a Circle
- Passing out materials
- Getting small percussion instruments
- Going to drums
- Going to barred instruments
