It's November already and my first 3 months of teaching were definitely interesting (in a good way). One thing I was not anticipating was the amount of time I would spend brainstorming classroom management ideas. Students are always better behaved when they come to specials. Right? Not so much... That's not to say that I was anticipating perfect behavior, I wasn't. I knew that it would be a lot of hard work.
Throughout these beginning months, positive behavior in music class has been increasing steadily in all of the grades, except 1st. Last week I stumbled upon an idea that I loved on Pinterest. Quiet Critters! They are for primary and pre-k classrooms to promote listening. I love this idea, so I morphed it to fit my musical needs!
Voila! MUSIC MONSTERS were born.
They are simply pom-poms ($3.40 @ Michael's) and googly eyes ($2.50 @ Michael's). Hot glue gun the eyes to the pom-poms. The hot glue gun makes it almost impossible to rip the eyes off. :) The original idea that I stole had felt hearts glued on as feet. This just seemed like one more thing to buy, i.e. pointless.
Each 1st grader receives a Music Monster at the beginning of the 30 minute music class. If they make a poor choice and don't follow directions or shout out their Music Monster is taken away. Don't be afraid to give the Monster back to them if they start making better choices. Everyone that still has theirs at the end of class receives a point.
"UGH, POINTS! NO THANK YOU!"
I know what you're thinking. Just one more thing to keep track of! My solution for this was to put it back on the students. At first I thought sticker chart. Then I realized that I had absolutely no space on any of my bulletin boards or walls. So I opted for a smart board lesson instead. This works well for multiple sections of 1st grade too (I have 3). It's basically a sticker chart with names and dates and the students move little pictures (whatever you want) into the boxes next to their names. This takes 2 minutes at the end of class; time totally worth it for the changes I've seen in behavior.
I know what you're thinking. Just one more thing to keep track of! My solution for this was to put it back on the students. At first I thought sticker chart. Then I realized that I had absolutely no space on any of my bulletin boards or walls. So I opted for a smart board lesson instead. This works well for multiple sections of 1st grade too (I have 3). It's basically a sticker chart with names and dates and the students move little pictures (whatever you want) into the boxes next to their names. This takes 2 minutes at the end of class; time totally worth it for the changes I've seen in behavior.
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Adaptation: My mother is a special education teacher who often pulls students for 60-90 minute interventions. She had me make her some monsters (Quiet Critters to her). She gives 3 to those students who need constant reminders to follow directions. She will take them away as they go. However many you have at the end of class is how many prizes you get to select from her treasure chest.
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ReplyDeleteI love your music monsters. It sounds like they are working well in your classes. I have a great suggestion to help you keep up with points. I use an app called Class Dojo for behavior management. It is free, and the students love it! You can run it from a computer, or an iPad or phone. I use it to award points for customized categories, but you could use it just to tally points at the end of class for students with monsters. The students have cute monster avatars that show their total points. It would fit perfectly with your music monsters.
ReplyDeleteI know I sound like an advertisement, but the app really is a wonderful tool. It can even send reports to parents. I would put a link, but my comment would probably go to your spam box. Just search Class Dojo for the app. You'll love it!
Thank you for mentioning the ClassDojo! I just put all ten of my classes in and am ready to start using it tomorrow. I teach middle school, but am thinking that for some of my classes, the music monsters will be great also, if for nothing else than to have something in their hands.
DeleteNeat idea... I have one of those color block carpets, I have issues w/kids working in groups, so I might twist this again to have the monsters the same color as the carpets & kids take their 'color' that they sit on (to avoid arguing)This way not only do they earn something individually,but they earn as a group, hopefully eliminating some of the petty fussing when playing games & encouraging productive, positive talking & learning from each other.
ReplyDeleteI love the Class DOjo app idea too, however, I do not have a way to use it so I still use my handy clip board and color code my seating charts as I wander the room! :)
Great idea! I've been teaching for 25 years and still have problems with classroom management from time to time. Will have to try this. Love the SMARTboard "sticker" idea too. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteDo you have problems with the kids playing with the monsters during class? Love the idea though! !
ReplyDeleteI just started these last week and sometimes it works amazingly well, but some kids are ripping up the little pom poms! If I see a student playing too much and throwing the monster around I take it away, but the ripping I haven't been able to catch until after the fact. :/
ReplyDeleteI give students stamps on their hands at the end of class and in order to get a stamp, you have to turn in your monster. That way there are no points or prizes, but the students still feel like they have received special recognition.
Hi! I am a music therapist and have made my own set of music monsters after seeing your awesome post. I am new to the blog world, but was wanting to talk about how I use my music monsters. Would you mind if I post on my page and link to your blog? Thanks!
ReplyDeletedo you have issues with children crying if they have to give up their monster? I can see mine doing that so I hesitate to try this. Also, I would be concerned of them ripping them or playing with them during class.
ReplyDeleteI do the same thing but mine are quiet critters. They love quiet and only come out when the students are quiet. I begin by placing one on the desk of a child who is working quietly/ following the expectations. You wouldn't believe how quickly the other children follow! I reinforce by adding a second or third as they continue to work quietly. I've never had the need to take a critter back. The critters return to their critter home, a special container, to rest, and come back to visit another time.
ReplyDelete