Management/Discipline

9. What is one of the most effective rewards a teacher can use?

It is necessary to discipline or reward students for certain behavior. Eventually we should strive for students to have self-control or self-discipline, but as the Teaching/Discipline book states, discipline must first be external. Discipline isn’t the only way to help students learn correct behavior. Teachers can use rewards to nudge students in the right direction. In a rehearsal classroom setting, teachers can use many rewards to encourage students. I think one of the biggest rewards a music teacher can give is to give a student some sort of responsibility – either as a section leader or as a teacher’s assistant.

10. How is worry (depression) reinforced?

People often worry or “fret” unnecessarily about events that might happen or assume the worst has happened. The worrying causes unnecessary stress (in an already stressful world). If we let people worry and feel sorry for themselves, the depression is reinforced.

Handbook Module 4
Students should have rules and procedures for transition periods during the day in order to reduce down time between activities.

Rules for individual entering late -
-Enter quietly.
-Don't disrupt the class.
-Take care of tardy pass (or whatever it is)individually with instructor, or leave on instructor’s desk (podium)

Rules for exiting classroom -
-Use manners. No pushing or shoving to get to the door first.
-One section is excused at a time. Reduces the amount of kids pushing and shoving to get to equipment lockers or door
-Remain quiet in the hallway.

Rules for bathroom breaks -
-Only during independent work time. Go to the restroom and come straight back (no stopping to talk or getting something from your locker).
-Bathroom pass

Procedures from moving from individual to group work -
-Use a timer (ex. "Work individually for 3 minutes, then pair up with the person next to you)
-Sectionals – Each member brings music or stand to sectional room
-Leaders are assigned for sectionals

Reflection Questions

1. No, I would not approach rules and procedures differently. The class may have been "easy" for the other teacher because the teacher set boundaries right away. I need to be strict at the beginning so that students know where the boundaries are. Once students understand that, they will know how to act, and I could maybe let up on the rules. I've heard that if you start out as the "easy" teacher, students will see that and take advantage of that. But even on day one, if I'm a little on the stern side, by day two, I can already lighten up.

2. I would definitely offer praise verbally and physically when students do something well or do what I want them to. I think positive reinforcement is more effective than negative reinforcement, but negative is still necessary. Negative reinforcement should be done in stages (Ex. If I catch you chewing gum in class once...twice....three times....) Similar stages can be used for other negative behaviors (talking out of turn, playing instrument when working with another section, etc).

3. I would need to have some sort of fun, attention-grabbing activity at the beginning of class to get the students' attention. I could have several different activities, so I could switch it up periodically. Some activities might include having a piece of music playing (Classical or more contemporary), or Music trivia question on the board.

4. Let one section go to the door at a time to eliminate the confusion. Designate student section leaders to bring the group to the door.

5. Tell him to set his rules early so students know the boundaries (kind of like the first question). Eventually he can ease up as the students mature and learn the rules. Rules for 4th graders and high school students will be different. Rules for elementary schoolers need to be more strict and to the point whereas teachers should be able to assume that high schoolers understand some basic rules for classroom etiquette.