Submitted by Karen Renton, Topsham, Maine
Idea posted March 25, 2002
It's been interesting hearing everyone's classroom management ideas. Here's what I do...
I choose an assistant in each class, usually chosen by having those who have not been my assistant yet stand up. I sing a song pointing to each student on the beat. When the song ends, the assistant is the student I am pointing to at the end of the song.
I draw a music staff on the board. Every time I catch the class using really good self-control, I have the assistant add a note to the staff. This may be for being very cooperative, remembering to raise hands, taking the initiative to help another, picking things up with out being asked, or perhaps, making a transition quickly and quietly... whatever I happen to catch. The class needs to earn a total of five notes each class to get a happy note sticker put up on their music star. When the class has earned 10 happy notes, they are rewarded. This round the kids asked for a game day... but since we've been studying Handel, I have manipulated them into combining their game day with a video and spreading it out over two days... They're happy, I'm happy, and the self-control is great.
Also... I play their five note song at the end of class and make any corrections that need to be made. Great teaching tool and my kids feel so special when they are the assistant. Of course, the assistant can be asked to do many other things as well...