Submitted by Debbie, Ohio
Idea posted October 11, 2001
I teach in an urban district, and I've found that I just have to try EVERYthing. Today the kids spontaneously added a syncopated clapping pattern to "This Land Is Your Land" (which is something I didn't teach them), and I just kind of went with it. They need to feel that you're not saying "Your music is bad, and this is the kind of music you should have."
Also, it's a lot of Plank Road songs that have them begging for more. ("Please can we do that "Get Up" song this week?" from my big tough 5th graders.)
If all else fails, teach what you think they should know, and let them know that they can choose to have fun with it or be ornery, but you're here and they still have to be in music class no matter what. If they're smart, they'll at least try to enjoy it!