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Hi all,
I may have asked this last year...but I can't recall.
I have a choir that meets during the school day and none can be excluded.
Well, at least 5 of them can't match pitch at all. And, bless their hearts, they sing off key with very loud, noticeable voices.
What do you do? I try to walk around the room and...See MoreHi all,
I may have asked this last year...but I can't recall.
I have a choir that meets during the school day and none can be excluded.
Well, at least 5 of them can't match pitch at all. And, bless their hearts, they sing off key with very loud, noticeable voices.
What do you do? I try to walk around the room and sing near them, to get them to hear the correct pitches, but after 6 meetings, they're still singing loud and proud on the wrong pitches.
My school before this one had an after school choir with an audition process. My school now has a band and orchestra, so I usually get the leftover kids who don't want to play instruments, not necessarily kids who want to be in a choir. And none can be excluded.
Hi all,
They switched to new report cards on us this year.
The past 2 years we gave one grade for general music: a 4 was outstanding (few should get this), a 3 was average (most students), 2 was deficient in some way (either musically or behavior), 1 was non-participatory or not able to pick up on music skills (I never gave those)...See MoreHi all,
They switched to new report cards on us this year.
The past 2 years we gave one grade for general music: a 4 was outstanding (few should get this), a 3 was average (most students), 2 was deficient in some way (either musically or behavior), 1 was non-participatory or not able to pick up on music skills (I never gave those).
I could also write around 5 sentences, where I listed the standards we covered, their positives and/or negatives, and then behavior.
Our new report cards have no space for any comments. Now we just have to score them for vocal prowess ("Student sings on pitch with good tone, rhythm, and dynamics.") and instrumental prowess ("Student plays instruments with proper technique and rhythmic accuracy.").
How am I supposed to give a picture of what goes on in my classroom with that?
And they don't want behavior to figure into their scores at all! So someone who is off task all the time can't be scored lower than someone who is a model student.
I'm just venting. I'd rather not give grades at all than have to squeeze into this kind of box.
Kinda long post - sorry - need your opinions!
Been teaching more than 20 years at the elementary level, most in the same building. When teachers come at the end of class and ask for a report, I tell the truth. Usually something like, Most kids were super listeners today! When necessary, something like, Tom, Susie, and Hunter had trouble fo...See MoreKinda long post - sorry - need your opinions!
Been teaching more than 20 years at the elementary level, most in the same building. When teachers come at the end of class and ask for a report, I tell the truth. Usually something like, Most kids were super listeners today! When necessary, something like, Tom, Susie, and Hunter had trouble following directions, and I had to give them warnings. Typical, right? Well... new principal. No elementary experience - has been in the district a while as both teacher and admin but at the middle school level. While I was giving such a report the other day, principal interrupted me, pulled me aside, and said we aren't going to mention names in front of the other students. I was too stunned to question anything. After school, principal stopped into my room to "touch base." Said it was obvious I was taken by surprise, apologized that this topic hasn't been addressed with the whole staff, and wouldn't be until a staff meeting in about a month, but this is the new philosophy. Has also told the recess aides that they can't put kids who misbehave "on the wall" but instead can subtly give them time out seated near an aide.
So... the few colleagues I've mentioned this to are also stunned. It's not like the rest of the kids don't know who was messing around. Often they tell me the same kids do the same things in their own classroom! I understand the idea of not shaming children, and when I need to speak to one about behavior issues that are ongoing, I pull them into the hall and never lecture individuals in front of the class. I'm a "just the facts ma'am" person too, no judgment here. However, children need to understand that there are consequences for misbehavior. I do not support keeping it a secret that a child receives a consequence for breaking rules.
Anyone else deal with this sort of mandate? How do you handle it? I guess I will start keeping a notepad by the door, quickly jotting down names for the teacher at the end of class when needed. I also need more information from principal - am I allowed to give warnings? Time outs? How do I correct rule breaking behavior without consequences? I'm already doing plenty of positive reinforcement with earning points, giving out positive behavior tickets to individuals, etc. But I need a tool on the other end. Thoughts? Thanks so much!!
by overwhelmed
Aug 26, 2015
This year they decided to replace our second music teacher with an art teacher. This means that I alone will be responsible for 860 students, our 100 member choir, ordering 250 recorders(and all the money collecting, phone calls, reminders etc that goes along with that0, field trips etc. Oh, and planning and executing all the programs for PTA. Then...See MoreThis year they decided to replace our second music teacher with an art teacher. This means that I alone will be responsible for 860 students, our 100 member choir, ordering 250 recorders(and all the money collecting, phone calls, reminders etc that goes along with that0, field trips etc. Oh, and planning and executing all the programs for PTA. Then they decided that the classroom teachers needed a break so they squeezed my schedule tighter, added a 7th period each day and I am supposed to plan creative and engaging projects for grades 1-5, each of which will come to me one day a week in addition to their regular music time. These"clubs" should make the kids want to come to school, not be another music class. Instead of having choir during class time (2-3 times a week as it used to be) I now have to have them before school, and have duty before school on the days I don't have choir and after school duties every day. My school has had a great choir for almost a decade (with me as a wing man, not the main director) and everyone expects that to continue. But we used to have small group rehearsals before school, and on my lunch hour and after school and they filled all that up with duties. My other specials teachers have the same schedule but none of the planning, rehearsing etc that I do for choir or programs. Add to that, I got my knee replaced this summer and I have to ice, and elevate it on my lunch hour to keep my whole leg from looking like an elephant's. You know I can't go to my principal and say I just can't do this job, and I have never been a whiner, but I am afraid that I literally can't do this job! How do I have this conversation without seeming like a whiner, or worse, too old to do this job? You would think that taking away half the staff they would lighten the work load not increase it! How do I do this?>?? I got home at 8:30 last night half way through making 35 seating charts, and found a note on my door that my grass is too tall (been 10 days) and if I don't mow it tomorrow (now today) I will have a huge fine. So I guess tonight after I get home from the dentist I will be mowing the grass in the dark.
Does anybody have a set rubric when auditioning elementary age students? I have over 100 children trying for 40 spots! It's great and awful at the same time. I'll have to decide on their pitch-matching, tonal quality, experience, and behavior. That way I have a back-up when parents get upset. I'm looking for a tried and true form/method. Thanks!
I have been given a 7th class each day, which will probably include kids who have already been to music that day. Each of these 'enrichment" classes grades 1-5 will meet once a week for 6 weeks then I will get a new set of 5 classes - all year long. The classes need to be something we do not already do in music, and should be fun, exciting, in...See MoreI have been given a 7th class each day, which will probably include kids who have already been to music that day. Each of these 'enrichment" classes grades 1-5 will meet once a week for 6 weeks then I will get a new set of 5 classes - all year long. The classes need to be something we do not already do in music, and should be fun, exciting, inspiring, etc. Last year they tried this with the classroom teachers teaching and they had a basketball club, chess club, craft clubs, gardening, etc. I don't HAVE to do something music related but it would make sense. I just feel like I already try to do that kind on thing in my regular class, so what could I do that they haven't already been doing? I would love suggestions. Our principal presented this idea in a meeting today and asked us to sign up (today!) for what we would like to teach. My page is blank. I thought that maybe I could teach the "Seize the day" dance from Newsies to the 5th graders, maybe a simplified version, but that is as far as I have gotten. Help!!! .
Teachers.Net teachers listed 3 (sometimes more) attributes of a great principal. (We were especially struck by the 2 shortest entries, those posted after "Mutual respect and trust needs to be nurtured," about 3/4 of the way down the page.)
What would you add to the list?
Try my music education resource site at http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/MaestroLeop old - There are items for FREE, on sale, and at very low prices - inventory includes unit plans, worksheets, and resources for the music classroom. Hope you will stop by and download something!!!
Hi Everyone,
Have any of you had a "music club" as opposed to a chorus for an after school activity? I'm thinking I wou ld like to do a club this year and was wondering if any of you have any words of advice or suggestions? I would really appreciate the input.
Linda/NC
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