Laura,

 

You should be be prepared to cancel the field trip on the 13th.  Field trips are a privilege, not a right.  However, I'd offer them the opportunity to do a fun field trip a little later in the semester.  May I suggest that you take a page out of the elementary music play book and create a 4-Note Day rubric of desired behaviors for the class?  I would create the numbers 1-4, magnetize them to put on the whiteboard, post the rubric, and when you have to address the class a second time, take a number down.  Keep a chart visible so they can see how they are doing. Create a fun field trip, figure out how many points they could earn between now and then, determine your threshold (85 percent?), and tell them what their goal number is.  I would also have them elect a choir council so that your student leaders can help put peer pressure on them.  If it were me , I'd create a field trip for late March and another one for May and give them two opportunities to turn it around.

 

as an aside, it sounds like you need some team building games.  Have your council create some games to lead with the class.  If they don't want to be there, it's because it's not fun.  You may need to give up a little rehearsal time, but it may be worth it to survive the rest of the year.  Remember, they feel abandoned, and since you're a mid-year replacement, they may be slow to trust that you are going to be there for them.  They are probably angry and you are the available target.

 

oh, one more thought.  Consider having them set goals for the rest of the year and maybe create a choir covenant of what everyone agrees to do.  That could be the basis of your rubric.  Have them split into sections and have each group brainstorm 3-4 behaviors that make for a successful team, then have them look at all the lists and pick four.  Post it.  If you create a covenant ("we agree to..."), have everyone sign it.  Every time there's a problem, you can come back to the covenant they signed.

 

Good luck!  Be sure to tell us how it worked out.

Right away, I'd find out what kind of vocal music THEY like. (It might not be what "proper" or "traditional" choirs sing, but it creates a great starting point. Ask about their favorite singers, their favorite songs, what radio stations/pandora, etc. they listen to, etc. then have them vote. Write them on the chalkboard/whiteboard as they brainstorm.  Obtain a CD or mp3's or two of the top few songs, get the lyrics from on-line sites, and have the kids sing a long. Work on phrasing, pitch control, and rhythmic accuracy.  Add in some fun vocalises with silly or 'cool' words, (write them out so they are working on reading pitch and timing)

This might get you through for a while. In the meantime, research and purchase some 'pop' music that comes with accomp. CD. They may be learning by rote at first, but this can be worked gradually into reading music as well.

 

 

Hi Laura,

 I actually went through pretty much the exact same process last year that you are facing. Their very well loved choir teacher resigned mid year, and when I came in January, I had a tough time at first getting through to a lot of the students. I had a day where I almost cried during concert choir. So first of all, I want to tell you that you're not alone in the feelings that I'm sure you are experiencing.

Now to a few things that helped me get through the school year:
If you haven't already, take some time to get to know them. Have them do a writing prompt about music they love, what they do in their spare time, etc. No, I do not believe in just catering to their muscial liking by just doing a bunch of pop from rote. Give them some upbeat music, things like Gospel or with an African feel. 

Don't be afraid to make an impression. It sounds like they are really taking advantage of you, and while I'm sure you want to get along with them and have them like you, you need to embrace the fact that some students need to be reminded they are there to LEARN. So the next time a (good) opportunity arises to lay down the law, do it. Send someone out. Tell them to leave the risers. Give them detention. Whatever the consequence is, make it firmly, clearly, and without anger. Just plain and simple, "These are the rules, and you are not following them." 

Lastly, I completely agree with the person who said be prepared to not take them to this festival. Unless it is a district requirement, you have absolutely no obligation to do this festival with them, especially if they have not earned it, and are not going to represent your program well. 

I hope this helps, and good luck with the rest of the year! The other big thing that helped me was reminding myself (if you are only dealing with 7-8th graders), that after a whole year, they will not be focused on the previous teacher and their ways, but soon there will be a fresh crop of kiddos that will be ready for you! 

 

 

 

Hi Laura,

 

This is going to be a trying situation for you, but you can do it, and it will only get better! 

 

I am in my first year of teaching band/choir (as an instrumental major teaching on a variance) as well.  My classes are in the afternoon (every other day) and there are 18 in my 7th grade choir.  Many of them are there because they have quit band or orchestra and need a music class, and choir is all that's left.  Here are some of the things I have found helpful:

 

YouTube Karaoke.  From time to time, I take requests of pop songs they would like to sing.  I read ALL the lyrics to make sure things are appropriate (for example, Baby Got Back was a request that got tossed right out!  Seriously kids...)  Then, if the week goes well, on Friday we take 10 minutes during class and sing karaoke songs on YouTube, up on the projector.  If things don't go well, they lose the opportunity.  The kids really enjoy it, and if they need extra help, you can just play a recording with lyrics onscreen for them to sing along to. 

 

Are you familiar with Love and Logic?  I am becoming familiar with it at my new school, and I have found some of the concepts to be very helpful.  Maybe you have some teachers at your school who are familiar with it or have a book you could borrow. 

 

Do you give them time to move?  I have found that things like "shake-outs" and breathing excercises can often calm my kids.  Not always, but sometimes it helps. 

 

And finally, 7th graders will tell you what they want to sing, but it is YOUR classroom.  At that age, they need a teacher/student relationship, even though they will try to have be a collaborative relationship.  You can give them one or two pop tunes, but make sure you don't let them bully you into singing what they want to sing.  They don't know what they need to be taught. 

 

Those are just a few thoughts, and I know this is like the blind leading the blind.  If you have any other questions, I am more than happy to help!

I didn't start mid-year, but I definitely can identify with a choir with trust issues due to their beloved director leaving unexpectedly.  It is like they have fallen out of "choir mode" with a substitute for four weeks.

I think some of the ideas above are FABULOUS.  I am considering using some!  I am also a first year teacher, and I have sought advice from lots and lots of people about similar issues.  I would love to say that my class is perfect now, but I can honestly say it is BETTER!

Here is what helped me:

1)  Learn a warmup the previous teacher did before.  Don't pick one that they associate strongly with the last teacher, but one that the previous teacher used occasionally.  For me there were three songs:  Take Time in Life, Yonder Come Day, and Mrs. Shady. So I got rid of Yonder because they were too tied to that song.  BUT, around once every week or so, we do Take Time in Life or Mrs. Shady so that they still feel like I respect the work of the previous teacher and the traditions of the choir.  And I found my choir requesting these less and less.

2)  Ask them what traditions are important to them.  My HS auditioned group told me that it was silly, but that on Fridays Seniors always led the warmups.  That became such an easy way for me to let them feel their traditions were being upheld.  Obviously you won't re-create the previous teacher's classroom, nor should you.  But if you give them one or two of their traditions that feel lost, they might get back into "choir mode."

 

3)  If possible (and this is a big IF, depending on the circumstances)  ask the previous teacher to record a message telling them that their year is going well and that they are singing their hearts out, etc.

 

4)  This is probably the hardest part of all for this situation.  Forget traditional choral rehearsal for 80% of class time (FOR NOW).  Just get them singing.  It may not be the most educationally beneficial activities, BUT it also isn't educationally beneficial for your students to be disengaged.  The karaoke idea above sounds FABULOUS.  Have them sing Disney songs, Adele, Bad Romance, and whatever else they LIKE to sing.  FOR NOW, just get them singing.  I am guessing they have a concert sometime this semester.  If they have to go onstage and sing something in unison or two part, that will be OKAY for now.  I took a Glee Medley (We are Young, We found love in a hopeless place, etc.) and cut a few songs from it, and they love it.  I save it for last in the class period, because my class wants to get it.  As much as I dislike Glee, the kids love the songs in their medleys.

 

5)  I received the suggestion that one day in class, just have the kids write you a letter, graded on participation only.  Have some music on in the background and spend 20 minutes of class time just telling you what isn't working for them in class or how they feel about the previous teacher leaving, or whatever they want to tell you.  Tell them that no one will get in trouble for anything they write (short of death threats) and you won't be graded on whether or not you like what they have to say.  (And stick to that.)  Be prepared that most students will not take this exercise seriously.  But a few will.  And they will give you an insight into the group's feelings.



Also, something I figured out, is that when I stopped focusing on stopping behaviors I didn't like and I focused on keeping everyone engaged, a lot of the behaviors stopped.

 

 

Remember to do things that keep YOU sane too.  Remember that you have walked into a very tough situation, and that there are no easy answers.  Focus on building the trust and getting them singing something, and then go in with all the rigor and content next school year.

Forgot to mention:

I learned a magic warmup at a conference.  I have no idea why it makes kids instantly quiet, but it is... well... magic in my room.  It isn't singing, it is whispering and making sounds in rhythm.


(Intense whisper) Ra Pa Ti Ka, Ra Pa Ti Ka  (eighth notes)
Sh, Sh, Sh, Sh (quarter notes)
ts ts ts ts, ts ts ts ts, ts ts ts ts, ts ts ts ts (sixteenth notes)
(expelling lots of breathy, warm air)  whit, whit, whit, whit (quarter notes.)
 

Find yourself a copy of "In the Middle With You," by the late Sandra Chapman.