Submitted by Steven Vogel, Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota

Idea posted October 23, 2002

Question: I just taught my very first day of school today. I felt great about every period except for one. What I thought was a 6th grade choir class is actually just a 6th grade class. What do I do with a classroom full of kids that don't want to be there?

Answer: I think that we ALL have felt the same way you are feeling right now! The best thing you can do is to remember one thing... THIS TOO SHALL PASS!! These 6th graders will eventually move on to 7th grade and you will have a new crew of 6th graders... in other words, you will OUTLAST this class.

The SECOND thing you might want to do is determine what is expected of this class. Are they supposed to be a choir or just a general music class? If they are to be a choir, find some great songs for them to start learning. If this group is to be a general music class, organize your class periods into sections and plan out each week. Is there a curriculum for them to follow? Textbooks? Supplemental books?

Here are some of the things that I incorporate into my three music classes for each week... (25 minutes per lesson... obviously I can't do all of the following activities in each lesson... I try to incorporate as many of these as I can into the entire week's worth of lessons.)

  • Music Jeopardy - I have an answer printed on a paper and the students have to give me the question, i.e. "The names of the treble clef spaces," and the students would respond, "What is F, A, C, E?" I give points for each correct QUESTION, and then I give a certificate to the winning classes at the end of each month.
  • Find a way to warm up/start each class with favorite songs, rhythm games, etc.
  • Use barred instruments or hand instruments to enhance the songs you teach (Orff). The kids always love to make music on their own. You could even have them "play" their telephone numbers... 0 = C, 1 = D, 2 = E, 3 = F, 4 = G, 5 = A', 6 = B', 7 = C', 8 = D', 9 = E'...
  • I teach composers/styles by having a composer of the month (based on the composer's birthday). I use a 5-year plan that cycles. September composers have included George Gershwin, Stephen Foster (his birthday is in July, I believe), George M. Cohan (another July birthday) - I have my list at school. Have the kids learn about composers, listen to their music, etc...
  • I also do a review of the instruments of the orchestra with a culminating trip to hear the Minnesota Orchestra at Orchestra Hall. The kids always enjoy the lessons devoted to "previewing" the concert material.
  • Games - Music Concentration, Music Tic Tac Toe, Music Pictionary (Bach To The Drawing Board), Name That Tune, Music Wheel Of Fortune, etc.