Submitted by Gretchen Taylor, Illinois

Idea posted October 23, 2002

I was a first year teacher 2 yrs. ago (I'm starting my 3rd year), and because I was helped so much by the wonderful folks on the MusicK8.com Mailing List, I owe it to you and other 1st years to share what I've learned...

My first year was a SURVIVAL year, and I did whatever I could basically to keep my sanity and give the kids some semblance of a good musical experience. My general suggestions would be...

1. Don't try to do too much, keep things basic. Cover your bases (singing, moving, playing instruments, listening) as best as you can, but don't hold yourself to some super lofty standards and try to do everything (I did this and it nearly killed me).

2. Get the book Music Teacher's Survival Guide, which covers EVERYTHING!

3. Stay on (or join) the MusicK8.com Mailing List, but don't let all the ideas overwhelm you. Pick and choose what you feel comfortable doing and what will work best in your situation.

4. Have a discipline plan (keep it simple). Personally, I don't have the time to do a lot of record keeping for var. management programs like some. I have specific rules and a rewards/consequences plan that's quick and to the point. There are many good ideas in the mailing list archives. If one plan doesn't work, change it. Find what works and use it consistently. For me, management is the first order of business.

5. Decide on some important procedures, present them to the kids, and PRACTICE them. Things like a) how you want the kids to enter/exit your room, b) how you want to handle the passing out/collecting of materials, c) how you want the kids to line up, form circles, move/return chairs, partner up, etc., d) what to do in case of emergency drills, kids throwing up or crying, tattling, etc., e) how to get the kids' attention (clap signal, bell, flick lights, etc.).

6. Decide how you will organize things. This year, I have finally come up with a system that keeps everything I need for my classes together.

I teach K-8 and have two 2" binders (one for morning classes, other for afternoon). Dividers separate classes. In each section, I have a class list with parents' names & phone numbers, and kids' birthdays. Next is an assessment chart. Next is my seating chart and lesson plan page (these are all in plastic sleeves). After these pages, I have any song sheets, teaching notes, etc. that I need to refer to (I don't teach from my texts 'cause they stay at home where I plan). After this, I have my month-at-a-glance plans, followed by a few sheets of notebook paper with lists of songs, listening selections, videos, additional CDs, etc. that I plan on using with the class.

With this setup, I just work from one binder for each block of classes. I also consolidated all of my keyboard accompaniments into a separate binder which stays on the piano. My grade book I keep at home for transferring anything into after school days.

7. Prepare several quick filler activities in case you have any dead time to fill. These may not have anything to do with your lesson, but will keep the kids engaged when there's a few minutes of time to kill.

8. Have something in mind and on hand for a sub, if needed. I basically use videos since my subs are not music people.

9. Always have a backup plan (something dull in fact) for when/if a class becomes unruly or uncooperative with the activities you've planned. Don't fall into the trap of coaxing, pleading, cajoling a class into cooperating. Stop with plan A and go to plan B pronto! Make 'em beg to do plan A.

10. Take your time. My first year, I was rushing through everything. Repetition is not bad. For example: Say you have an 8-bar rhythm exercise on the board for the kids to realize. You could isolate every measure for the class to clap, then work by phrases, then the whole thing, then just the girls, then boys, then have girls/boys alternate measures, then backwards, etc., etc... all with the same exercise. Same goes for learning a song. There are so many different things the kids can listen for/do with each repetition beyond just singing through it once or twice.

11. Don't let anyone rob you of your joy and love of music. Some kids will make the best-laid plans seem to go up in smoke with poor attitudes. Your excitement for what you're doing can easily be squelched. Nip these attitudes in the bud immediately and never let 'em think they've got you down. Once in a while you may have to act your way into feeling enthusiasm and joy again. But in these cases, have your discipline plan ready.

12. Finally, don't fall into the trap of thinking it's your responsibility to keep the kids from ever being bored or disinterested. You are there to facilitate their learning through interesting and engaging activities. However, it is THEIR responsibility to engage themselves in the activities and participate to find the greatest satisfaction. I tried to be the "Woman of the hour" with each class, keeping them entertained every minute. I was burning out quick. If one kid acted bored, I felt like a failure. Not anymore. Yes, I believe my teaching style leans more toward a "what is she going to do next" entertaining kind of thing, but if a kid chooses to check out and then complain "This is boring," I don't blame myself, I blame him. That has been a most freeing experience for me as a teacher.