MENC Forums

Maria · 2008-05-30 07:23:18

Please offer ideas for controlling behavior towards the end of the year. My school has about three weeks left and behavior is slowly getting worse. Of course it's all over the school even with veteran teachers. I have asked some teachers what they do and I get the unspoken "you just have to deal with it." I have used games to get them interested and following directions, but I would appreciate other ideas. Thanks!

KStarrWU · 2008-05-30 09:13:12

The busier you can keep them, the better! We only have 4 days left after today (YAY!), but I was glad that we had a performance yesterday (school-wide arts celebration) that kept my 8th graders busy, and that has given me the drive to not let up in any class - keep on truckin'! If they're getting antsy, giving them a project to work on may help engage them. I don't know if it was discussed on this section of the boards or not, but there's a great book for MS aged students called "Rock & Rap Middle School" that has some fun activities in it. Even my most challenging general music class enjoyed the stuff in there! There are things that require use of the internet (which at my school requires a trip to the lab), but there are plenty of things that can be done sans-technology as well. Some of my colleagues have also used a "create a classroom" project that's been successful where students are given a "budget" and use supply store flyers and catalogs to start a music (or dance, etc.) class.
Good luck to you! I know at this time of year, I have enough trouble motivating myself, much less the kids! :)

Martha · 2008-05-30 09:36:23

I agree. Pack as many activities into the class time as you can and just keep the kids busy, busy, busy! This is sort of the "if you can't beat them, join them" approach since the kids are so full of energy your best bet is to take advantage of that with some high-energy activities.

timkat · 2008-05-30 09:40:56

Teach right through to the end. Don't let up. Once you start playing end of the year games students key into that relaxation of expectations and will be more apt to start getting less "focused". I have found if I keep on going with the concepts right through to the last week I have much less of a problem with discipline issues at the years end. Save the games for the last week or two and leave in about 15 minutes of musical content/review stuff.

May you have a great end to your school year!

Christine Nowmos · 2008-05-30 11:31:16

I just teach the way I would normally teach up until the last week. The very LAST day of music for each class, I will usually let them have a game day where they get to choose and vote on what music games to play. But prior to that I continue to review stuff we've learned during the year or actually am prepping them for rhythms or pitch patterns they'll learn next year. With my 4th grade classes we do a composition project during the last marking period and we're usually finishing that up and recording their song, and we also do Recorder Karate and most classes are usually down to the line with the last few weeks with being ready to test for black belt. I agree with others if you start in with all fun and games too soon before school lets out the kids think it's a free-for-all! Why not use the time to get them ready for stuff they'll learn next year? We normally play at least one game every week anyway and that keeps them excited about coming to music.

AP · 2008-05-30 13:08:42

Next week we are going to start "Mallet Madness." I think this is great--it is unusual for the kids, but also a great way to reinforce concepts and play true Orff type accompaniments. If you are familar take another look, if not I could give you some of the ideas. It terms of behavior I just take mallets away from kids misbehaving--that shapes them right back up!

Sue D'Nem · 2008-05-30 17:48:36

My kinders and fifth graders had/have promotion ceremonies at the very end of the school year (kinder on the last full day, fifth the morning of the last day, usually a half day). Both have musical components so they stay busy getting ready for that. Starting in third grade, I do music classes very differently from the primary level (musical trip around the world) and the last music class of the year I give the second graders a "sneak preview" of what third grade music will be like. In fifth grade, students can choose to take part in the district's beginning band or orchestra programs. I spent the last few music classes letting them explore different choices for fifth grade. With third and first, we have a fun, relaxed day of games and activities we have (and maybe haven't) done throughout the year (it is the only day we ever Limbo, for example).

Hope it helps!!!

Sue

P.S. Sometimes you just have to be stern and remind them that, "Hey! School is still in session! We still have music learning to do!" That can help sometimes too.

David D. · 2008-05-31 12:53:14

I agree: keep 'em busy, be understanding and save something special for the end. In my case, we play Musical Bowling on the last day: set up empty water bottles as pins and use a stress ball as the bowling ball. Students get one free roll of the ball, but have to earn their second - very adaptable from lower grades clapping rhythm patterns and answering riddles to upper grades playing recorder patterns to earn a roll.

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#1 2008-05-30 07:23:18

End of the year tricks

#2 2008-05-30 09:13:12

Re: End of the year tricks

#3 2008-05-30 09:36:23

Re: End of the year tricks

#4 2008-05-30 09:40:56

Re: End of the year tricks

#5 2008-05-30 11:31:16

Re: End of the year tricks

#6 2008-05-30 13:08:42

Re: End of the year tricks

#7 2008-05-30 17:48:36

Re: End of the year tricks

#8 2008-05-31 12:53:14

Re: End of the year tricks

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