Have you tried talking less during instructional time as a music teacher? You’ll lose your voice less and students will focus more. This this blog post (and episode 223 of The Elementary Music Teacher podcast) will share ways you can talk less during instructional time, transitions, and activities happening in the music room.
Instructional Time
It’s not easy to go about talking less during instructional time as a music teacher. We’re all guilty as music teachers of talking too much. We want to explain every detail when it comes to giving instructions. But, in the process, we lose some of our students who have tuned us out after the first two sentences. So, instead of teaching and having students sit still, have them doing more. Here are some strategies to try that have worked well for me.
- Give shorter instructions like “do this”, “play this”, “watch this”, or “sing this”
- Try to shift to being more of the facilitator instead of the teacher during small group and partner activities
- Use more silent signals where you’re pointing at what you want students to do
- Point at individual students and also put your hand by your ear to signal listening
- If you lose your voice, try a play along video, do student led instruction, put on dance videos, incorporate centers, and use technology
Transitions in the Music Room
Another area it’s easy to talk too much is during transitional time in the music room. Although practice makes perfect and it will take a minute for your kiddos to catch on, eventually they’ll respond well to your new way of doing things. Here are strategies that you can try.
- Signal for what you want your students to do, where you want them to go, and what instrument you want certain students to get
- Touch the shoulder of students who you want to be partners or in a small group or even hold up the number 1 while touching the shoulders of students who can be in that group
- Hold up picture cards or point at pictures on a smart board or computer of what instrument you want students to get
- Have simple instructions and concepts written out instead of just saying them
Music Activities to Try
When you’re lesson planning, you’re constantly looking for new ideas to teach to the concepts and standards. When it comes to talking less during instructional time as a music teacher, this definitely applies to the activities you do as well. One of my favorite ideas is to start class with body percussion or a movement activity. Show students what to do the first time and then make it a pattern as they come into class they just expect to do it.
Another idea is when doing a rhythm instrument activity, begin by playing a pattern and then point at students to signify it’s their turn. Then, when students are playing from written notation, point at the board and then point back at the students.
Have you taught while using nonverbal communication? Tell me about it in the comments below or share your thoughts on social media as you share this post. 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 too.
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.
