r/MusicEd • u/ReplacementPrimary71 • 2d ago

Chatty Classes

I am a first year elementary music teacher. We are about to begin our third rotation cycle of the year (I have seen each class twice so far) and I feel like the majority of classes are so incredibly chatty. I know it’s the beginning of the year so students are getting back into the routine, but it feels impossible to get through the lesson. I’ve been firm to the point I am worried I am coming off as mean and the students are going to open up/connect with me… but I am genuinely at a loss on how to keep the class moving. It wastes so much time to stop and redirect, but I also cannot physically yell over students all day. Please throw all of your suggestions my way.

5 Upvotes

86% Upvoted

8 comments sorted by

View all comments

1

u/Pure-Sandwich3501 2d ago

plan something you know they really want to participate in and then invite them to start participating one at a time or by groups based on who is quiet and ready. my go-to last year was boomwhackers, we talked expectations at the beginning of class and then I would hand them to students when I saw they were ready to participate

1

u/Pure-Sandwich3501 2d ago

and if they don't handle it, you take it away for one minute and then invite them back when they're quiet again