This works for me

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

     Sight reading challenge

I like to place my rhythm flashcards across my magnetic chalkboard and have students clap and say them. As they master them, I write solfege syllables on the chalkboard above the rhythms and have them sing the solfege in rhythm. Then leaving the solfege on the board, I move the rhythm cards into different positions (and adjust any solfege that needs to fit the rhythm). This provides a quick, simple but challenging way to sight-read patterns. If I plan it well, they can even identify motives of known songs!

Submitted by Vivian Ferchill

_____________________________________________________________________________ 

Encouraging Participation

I admit it. I bribe my students to participate. I have a poster by my door that lists all of the classes in the school. I tell the students I have two rules: "Don't talk while I'm talking" and "Participate." If everyone is participating and no extra talking they get a star on the poster for that lesson. After three stars, they get to choose a reward singing game that they have played this year. It's been awesome. The teachers ask if their class got a star. I remind the students when they are not sitting up straight and singing that they are not showing me star behavior. And when they do get a reward music game, I sit down and let them play it on their own. I don't even sing.

Submitted by Katherine Johns - Floresville