Sunday, August 26, 2018

Music Teacher Coffee Talk #23: Back to School Procedures


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






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