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#1 2009-11-05 13:48:17
- Mr. H
- Participant
- Registered: 2008-04-10
- Posts: 428
What do you when the podium rule isn't working?
All of the directors here do the "I step up on the podium and class has begun with silence" rule.
We're getting to a point in the year when it's starting to be tested. The 6th grade director tells me he did the "practicing it" with them several times at the beginning of class but they continued to test it through class.
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#2 2009-11-05 14:05:43
- oldsbone
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- Registered: 2009-09-23
- Posts: 68
Re: What do you when the podium rule isn't working?
Just keep enforcing it and let the consequences happen for those who do not follow it. We use demerits at our school, and the screwing around stops very quickly when someone has earned one and they all get to watch me stop rehearsal (with much profuse apologizing to the ensemble for having to waste their time to stop rehearsing and do discipline paperwork) and fill it out. The ones who have already been warned about being off task are real quick to knock it off, because they know their turn is coming. I hate to use the term "sacrificial lamb" but even when there are several who are not with the program, there is usually one who is the most egregious offender and s/he ramps up your progressive discipline fastest. When they get dealt with, the others fall into line.
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#3 2009-11-05 15:42:20
Re: What do you when the podium rule isn't working?
This can be a challenge for the seasoned director as well. I am new at my school here in Morocco and the podium silent rule has been a tough one for them too. I have begun to employ student leaders to help out with tuning, warm up, warm down and announcements. It puts them in a new situation and the have learned the value of respect and silence. Also give them "break" when your off the podium at moments - just like faculty at faculty meeting the kids need a break after an intense session, discussion or workshop - decompression prepares them for the next phase.
Good rehearsal technique with short comments and positive reinforcement help but kids value truth over anything anything else.
Finally, follow through on anything you say and have consequence - talk is cheap so say what you mean and mean what you say.Good luck let us know what you do and if its working and we'll continue to help you.
John Christian
November Band Mentor - MENC
Director of Music and Fine Arts
Rabat American School
Rabat, Morocco
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#4 2009-11-06 22:31:42
- David WK Johnson
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- From: Williams Bay, Wisconsin
- Registered: 2008-04-10
- Posts: 150
- Website
Re: What do you when the podium rule isn't working?
If you have rule that you want enforced, there needs to be a set of consequences in place for not following the rule. First, you need to warn the students and let them know that their behavior is not acceptable, and if they choose to continue to behave inappropriately, the consequence will be carried out.
Example:
Warning: "Class, I've stepped onto the podium and you were not quiet. This is your warning...you know the rule. If you can not be quiet when I step on the podium again, then we will all put our instruments away and spend the rest of the period in silence."
Consequence: The class places their instruments in their cases and spend the rest of the period in total silence. Anyone who talks, makes any unnecessary sounds, moves, asks a question, etc...gets an immediate detention, unless it is an emergency.
Before the dismissal bell, be sure to give a debriefing: "Class, thank you for being silent today. I'd much rather play music than sit here, but I will not tolerate anyone disobeying the rules here. We can either play music, or sit here and look at each other for an hour. It's your choice. I hope next rehearsal will be better. Thank you and have a good day."
Repeat this process as needed. But I think you will be very pleased with the results after just one day of staring awkwardly at each other for an hour.
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#5 2009-11-07 20:32:50
- Ted Henderson
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- From: San Jose, CA
- Registered: 2008-04-09
- Posts: 170
Re: What do you when the podium rule isn't working?
When I first arrived at my current school I did a similar consequence as David mentioned but mine was only for 5 minutes and they kept their instruments. Every time someone made a noise the clock was reset. By the second time the clock was reset the noisemakers became the band outcasts as the band turned on them. After about 15 minutes, I was able to continue rehearsal.
Last edited by Ted Henderson (2009-11-08 17:37:34)
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#6 2009-11-09 10:10:53
- RDS
- Participant
- From: Ohio
- Registered: 2008-04-16
- Posts: 137
Re: What do you when the podium rule isn't working?
This will solve your problem every time-
For every second of time my kids waste by talking, is a second I keep them after the bell has rung. I tell them if you're going to waste rehearsal time, I'm going to waste your free time. So after the period bell has rung to dismiss, they must sit in silence for however many seconds they wasted. I also tell them that they aren't getting a tardy pass for their next class.
Depending on your school, I'd follow up with an email to the staff about why the band kids were late. We can get away with it here, but some principals might throw a fit. Usually, after the first time the problem is solved...trust me..it works.
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