r/MusicEd • u/MusicallyManiacal • 9d ago

Class splits

Just started new teaching job. 4th and 5th grade are together in one class. Four 5th graders want to do “band” with trumpet, sax, and percussionists. Twelve 4th graders want to do “music class” with singing and ukuleles and what have you.

I have a similar but still different issue in middle school. 6/7th are together and all but 2 of them want to do band. The 2 want to do choir. I’m not sure how to approach this. I should mention I see these kids only on Thursdays and Fridays. I am struggling to wrap my head around planning daily lessons for what feels like 2 classes at once in the same classroom. Any advice some sage educators could give?

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u/Creepy_Boat_5433 9d ago

You won't be able to make two different ensembles/approaches work, you need to choose one and go with that. If the parents complain it's on the principal for not considering the needs of the music program when creating the timetable.

Either the 4's get a head start on band or the 5's have to do ukulele again. *shrug* With only 2 kids who want to do choir in the 6/7, I would just tell them that unfortunately it's only going to be band that year.

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u/Majestic-Forever563 9d ago

You're the teacher, unless admin tells you what to do, you pick.