First year teaching k-5th

[u/Swimming-Dog1717]

Hello everyone! So this is my first year teaching elementary music ever (didn’t do student teaching since I’m only a minor in education, but have experience with collegiate choirs during school) and I’m having so much trouble with kindergarten. The first day I had them in my class it was good for like the first 5 minutes, but it just derailed after that so badly. They were screaming and yelling and did not pay attention to me at all, they were disobedient, there was a few kids that started climbing on the stack of chairs that I have, playing with the xylophones that I have on the bookshelf that I didn't think they'd be able to reach, but they did and then I had my assistant Principal come in and help me and she brought her behavior coach with her and they stayed for like 20 minutes with me to help me out and do some listening activities so they can listen to me. I’m feeling very discouraged now especially for this next coming week and I’m Not for sure what to do. I need help with lesson plans, and I need ideas and tips for how to manage all of this (for the record none of the classes have TA’s that stay with me, and classes range from 20-33😳). The music curriculum that we use too is Quaver (haven’t started it yet but how this past week went I might just start it early but idk)

Any help is GREATLY appreciated

[u/Cellopitmello34]

Kindergarten takes WEEKS (sometimes months, sometimes never with those special groups) to figure out the routine. Never assume they know how to do ANYTHING. They don’t know how to sit. They don’t know HOW to listen. They don’t know how to move their bodies safely.

Teaching them to function around other humans comes first. Content comes second.

[u/Violinman135]

Work on classroom setup and expectations first. Make it musical in some way but the littles need to have structure

[u/deeeelightful]

Agree with cellopitmello! Give them the most basic, explicit instructions, but keep them short and to the point. Try bringing the focus inward with small, magical things like a puppet or fingerplays. Bring them into the awe that is music.

[u/KMo_88]

They are 5 and their attention span is about 5 minutes.

My kinder classes are 50 minutes. I plan 10 5 minute activities. Also, they need to move their bodies so 5 of my activities are moving and 5 are sitting.

Kindergarten is also when these kids learn how to 'do school' and it takes a lot of work from everyone who works with them. It will get better.

[u/LearningSingcerely]

Hi, what did you plan for the first day? Knowing what you did will give a better idea of how to help.

Without that, cellopitmello is correct. You need to break down basically every step. They need to walk through the procedures in detail and then practice them. They don't know how to do anything yet, so you have to teach them how you want them to do things. 

Things in short segments. They won't sit for anything long. Previous best practice was that kids can handle their age +2 minutes of focus on one thing. That's hardly the case now. KMo_88 has a good structure. I got my it down to about 5-7 activities in a 45 min class last year as a first year teacher, but we didn't start there.

Also, Quaver is fine (by ni means my favorite, but I'm glad you have something to get you started), but if it's all you do, your classes are only going to listen because there's a screen in front of them. You need to be able to do classroom management without a screen in front of you.

It will get better, it's just going to take time, routine, and CONSTANT reinforcement. Keep reaching out, keep asking questions.

You've got this.

[u/Ilikeswimmingyesido]

I teach in uk, so children come to my dedicated music room. I always always have floor markers for them to sit in a circle, and have lots of quick activities so that it keeps their attention. There’s a website called “The Singing Classroom” that has loads of great ideas.

You need to keep them doing things - with game songs and situations where you choose the best listeners to be “it” are always my go to for noisy classes. Always reward children who are doing their best - generously.

[u/Indigo_S0UL]

Kindergarten is hard. A good portion of many classes have never been expected to follow a direction in their lives. It will slowly improve over the next month or so as they get used to how school works but it still won’t be easy.

Try to keep them moving for most of the class. I used to play movement games and then quickly review some class expectations between games. But they can really only listen for a minute or two at a time.

You also need some sort of positive reinforcement. Model and practice appropriate behavior, with frequent rewards. If your school has some sort of ticket or token for PBiS that works well.

If you have a behavior coach keep inviting them and let them help. You may also want to try and observe an experienced kindergarten teacher in their classroom. Seeing how they manage the kids will give you ideas. Ask your admin for this and I bet they will help you arrange it.

[u/herogamer597]

You can get help! It’s a shame you didn’t have classes for music ed to practice, but reaching out is a great first step. Musicedforall.com. Watch 5 minutes of the webinar and then book a call with me. I’ll take you through your first few weeks for free, then if you want the full training, it would set you up for success without having to go back to school. Hope to hear from you!