If you are an elementary music teacher, you know that it is vital the first week of school to go over and practice procedures in the music classroom. There are several procedures to practice, from coming in, instrument care, where to sit, how to find a partner, lining up to leave, and so much more. Each teacher, classroom, and school demographics are different, so procedures will look different at each school. But even though your procedures will look different than the teacher at the neighboring school, we can all use tips for how to practice procedures. I have found what works for me, and I want to give you 3 ways to practice procedures in the music classroom.
1. Make it Competitive
Let’s be honest. Practicing procedures is the last thing any of us want to do as a music teacher. But, we all know, without going over procedures with our students, we will not be able to make the most effective use of our class time. Here are my favorite ways to make learning and practicing procedures in the music classroom fun.
- COMPETITION- All kids like a challenge and have a little bit of a competitive nature in them. During the class period, tell them you are looking for the quietest row, group, instrument section, boys vs. girls, or anything else you can come up with. These kids get to line up first (which to kids is a big deal).
- REWARDS- Ask about the procedures you have gone over to the whole class. If someone answers the question “when we pick up our mallets, where do they go before we even play one note?” correctly by saying “in our laps”, they get a sticker, candy, eraser, or whatever fun prize you come up with.
2. Practice procedures to “almost” make perfect
Procedures are not something that can just be practiced at the beginning of the school year. Practicing them weekly is important. There will always be those handful of student’s, that no matter how many times you practice and go over the procedures in the music classroom, they just will not follow them. This is where your classroom management comes into play, which is a whole different blog post in itself.
If you get a certain class and they come in unruly and like a pack of hyenas, walk them right back out of the classroom and practice coming back in. I had a 3rd grade class that had to practice procedures like this for 2 months! But, although this class was still my challenge that year, they finally learned what I expected and slowly but surely started to follow procedures. You will never have a perfect class (can’t we all wish), but with practice, procedures will be learned.
3. Use music…duh
As music teachers, we teach music. Once again…duh. So, why not use music to practice procedures in the music classroom? Here are some of my favorite ways to practice.
- SING- We are music teachers right? So, why not make up simple songs for procedures. For example, when the students enter sing “Welcome, welcome, everybody welcome. Welcome, welcome, everybody here” as they walk to their seats. Or, if students are using instruments, sing “if you play before I say, I’ll take your instrument away.” These little songs will stick with your students all year and they will remember the procedures.
- DRUM- When it’s time for students to walk to a different instrument part, music center, or back to their seat, pick up a drum and play a steady beat. To make it fun, when the drum stops, students have to freeze. Continue playing the drum beat until everyone gets where they’re supposed to be.
- BODY PERCUSSION- One of my favorite procedures to use in my classroom was a body percussion warm up. It settles students down and immediately helps them focus. In The Elementary Music Teacher Academy, I have a few body percussion warm ups I’ve included for you to use in your classroom.
What are your favorite ways to practice procedures in your music classroom? I’d love to hear all about it in the comments below or share your thoughts on social media as you share this post.
Also, I’d love for you to share this post or any of the resources on my website with a friend or colleague who you know NEEDS to see it.
P.S. Are you feeling frustrated or stuck as an elementary music teacher? Check out these free resources to help you teach elementary music with confidence!
Also…I wrote a book called “Make A Note: What You Really Need To Know About Teaching Elementary Music” to help music teachers move forward in your teaching career. You can get your copy here.
Hi Jessica,
I have been teaching music at the high school level for six years, but just started a middle school job. Boy am I learning how different those animals are! I am trying to find my footing in a new school while adjusting to a new age group and teaching general music for the first time since my student teaching days. Last week was ROUGH. I appreciate your website. Even though you discuss the elementary music classroom, I’m finding much of your content relevant. Thank you!!
Oh it’s totally different worlds. Adjusting to a new school of new age groups is so tough! I’m so glad you’re finding my website helpful. That makes me so very happy.
As a former music teacher (waaaaayyyy back in the day!) I appreciate this post! Especially the obvious point about using music! When I taught, I rarely had discipline problems (again….waaaayyyy back in the day!) but I always attributed it to the fact that I was keeping them engaged with…music…duh! 🙂 Great post!
Thank you! It’s always the simplest of things that work the best huh?