Submitted by Kathy Berg, Racine, Wisconsin
Idea posted March 24, 2006
In the beginning of the year and after the winter break, I give students the opportunity to "vote" for choir. Each student has a 3" x 5" card with their name on it, and they go to the "voting booth" (an isolated area of the room where there are two large manila envelopes marked "YES" and "NO") to put their card in. They do NOT talk to their friends to corroborate their choice; they go silently and individually to vote. By doing this, I automatically eliminate those students who do not want to be in choir (usually about 5%). I send a brief note home to those who have elected not to participate so that their parents are aware of their child's choice. Occasionally a parent will insist that their child be in choir, and I abide by their wishes. It usually works out.
There is an opportunity for teachers to give their opinions, too. If there are homework issues or behavior issues, the student is not in choir.