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.
________________________________________________________________________
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.
