Submitted by Daniel J. Fee, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin

Idea posted November 30, 2004

Like many of you, I have back-to-back classes. For years and years, the next class waited in the hall until the previous class was dismissed. I always felt bad if I had a class waiting. Waiting in the hall is another time for students to HAVE to be quiet. Depending on their teacher, students may also have to endure the teacher's reprimands to "BE QUIET!"

This year, I changed all that. Now there is no stopping at the door; the next class just walks right in. The next class waits in a pre-arranged area while the previous class finishes. As soon as the previous class is done, the next class goes to their spots.

Advantages include:

  • If the grade level is the same, the next class gets to see what they'll be doing.
  • If the class in session is younger and singing, the next class can sing along if they know the song. It's another opportunity for group singing!
  • Teachable time is not lost.
  • It eliminates another time when the kids have to wait quietly in the hall. It prevents the possibility of not waiting quietly, since the students come right into the music room.
  • And, of course, the teachers LOVE it (and will love you for doing so). I told the teachers that they can leave as soon as their class is in the room and waiting. Everyone wins!

When I suggested this new approach, I said nothing about the classroom teachers getting two seconds more prep time. However, I did say that the "children will get more instructional time."