Episode 8 – Cracking the Code: 3 Proven Strategies to Engage Big Kids During Concert Prep

Jeanette MihalchikHappy Music Teacher

Three Tips for Choosing Concert Rep Your Big Kids Will Connect With

 

3 Tips for Choosing Concert Rep:

  1. Let your students choose the music.
  2. Break out the cool manipulatives. 
  3. Let them design the way they want to present the song. 

 

Episode quotes:

[4:15] I started thinking about THAT class because you know, they’re always in the back of your head – those kids that you just aren’t connecting with, the ones that make you feel like a bad teacher. Even though you’re really not a bad teacher, you’re a fabulous teacher and I know this because you’re listening to this podcast. You wouldn’t be listening to this podcast and trying to improve anything if you weren’t a good teacher. 

 

[9:48] They’re going to be so much more on board if you let them choose the music, even if you give them two choices [that you select]. It is the same with the manipulatives. I give them a choice between two really cool things and they get to decide which one they want to use. 

 

[15:22 – Bonus tip on how I help my students work together in groups] When we split into groups, I always remind them that it is a big deal that everybody is allowed to say their opinion. I will demo it. I’ll say, okay, if I’m in a group with John and Robert and Sally and we are all trying to figure out ideas, I’ll say my idea. Then Robert gets to say his idea. Then Sally gets to say her idea. Then John gets to say his idea and everybody gets a chance to say their idea before you make a choice. And then you can talk. And then I’m always sure to say, if there’s a disagreement, the first thing you do is take a vote. If a vote doesn’t work, rock, paper, scissors. And if that doesn’t work, come and see me. Please do not argue about it. 

 

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