Submitted by Sarah Miller, South Carolina
Idea posted June 25, 2002
I leave videos about something we are studying or need to review. I have found that even my worst-behaved classes will behave if they get to watch a video - something they don't get to do much in the regular classroom. I was out a day a couple weeks ago and left STOMP Out Loud for fourth and fifth grades and had the teacher tie it into a discussion of what makes a percussion instrument. Third grade saw Beethoven Lives Upstairs™, and K-2nd saw part of The Marvelous Musical Mansion.
I frequently have subs who by their own admission, do not feel competent to lead singing. So I always have a box of picture songbooks that can be read, or if the children know the song, they can sing it for her. They love showing the subs how they do their rhythm flash cards. Also, I usually leave CDs and books for Denise Gagne's Singing Games Children Love Vols. 1 & 2 and the Amidon's Jump Jim Joe. Since I have used these with them sparingly and they absolutely love these, it is a treat for them to be able to do the games. Even my big 5th graders loved "Head And Shoulders Baby" and asked to do it again!
If you have a sub that is also a music teacher, sometimes it is nice to let them do their own thing and leave you a lesson plan of what they did. We have a retired band director here who brings his sanimist and a whole carload of instruments for the kids to try. They love him! Also, when I was subbing, it was much easier to do my own plan if the teacher would let me. I found I had better control of the class because it was something new and different, and they were interested. Puppets were particularly effective.
My little ones love to show off for a sub, so as an emergency plan (as in sub can't figure out how to work the VCR!) I tell them to see how many songs they can sing without help and keep a tally on the board. This also works when you have laryngitis.
In short, I try to make the experience enjoyable for the sub and the kids so the children will want to cooperate.