BandTeach
12-05-2008, 10:07 PM
I just started a new job in an upper class area with very intelligent students. I teach band, 6th, 7th, and 8th grade. While the 6th and 7th respond extremely well in class, the 8th grade has completely given up.
There is a known issue in being a new Band Director at a school. Usually students form pretty strong bonds with these teachers since they have them for 3 years. Some of the 8th graders were close with the last assistant band director, and thus, have lashed out at me (the mind set that I'm the reason she left). I've even had my car and house vandalized for over $2000 worth of damage, and even some of the students are under police investigation...arg. It frustrates me so much. The administration has told me that they will take students out of my class if needed...but I don't want to give up on them.
One of the biggest issue is that since it is an upper class area, many of the students are brought up with little boundaries. Again, the 6th and 7th graders are amazing and I have a great connection with them. The biggest reason for the discipline problems in 8th grade is that I can not find a way to engage them. They do not want to be there, they have no interest in the class, and they view the class as a "fun" time because its the last class at the end of the day for them.
In the discipline area, the most we really can do is send them out of the classroom. Other than that they can get ISS or Suspended, but either way they get to completely make up their work. I have learned quickly that most of the students think of these punishments as vacation, and also most of the parents leave discipline up to the school so the students have no fear of consequences to their actions. I am the assistant band director, and even the band director, who has been at this school for 8 years now, has completely given up on this class. He says that for some reason this class has been the worst that has come through the school (in attitude, they are extremely talented students).
I have tried reward systems, positive reinforcement, incorporating other of their teachers, team building exercises, listening to popular music as well as classical music, and a variety of other things...and nothing seems to work. They absolutely refuse to participate in anything! Also, in our school we have no "break" or recess so I can't assign detention (which is one reason they are so wound up when they get to my class at the end of the day). My question was (now that I've rambled on) is what type of motivational tools have you used to keep your students engaged? I can't find anything that interest them. As far as I've been able to tell, all they talk about are video games...and I can't do a whole lot with that. Please...any responses would be greatly appreciated.
There is a known issue in being a new Band Director at a school. Usually students form pretty strong bonds with these teachers since they have them for 3 years. Some of the 8th graders were close with the last assistant band director, and thus, have lashed out at me (the mind set that I'm the reason she left). I've even had my car and house vandalized for over $2000 worth of damage, and even some of the students are under police investigation...arg. It frustrates me so much. The administration has told me that they will take students out of my class if needed...but I don't want to give up on them.
One of the biggest issue is that since it is an upper class area, many of the students are brought up with little boundaries. Again, the 6th and 7th graders are amazing and I have a great connection with them. The biggest reason for the discipline problems in 8th grade is that I can not find a way to engage them. They do not want to be there, they have no interest in the class, and they view the class as a "fun" time because its the last class at the end of the day for them.
In the discipline area, the most we really can do is send them out of the classroom. Other than that they can get ISS or Suspended, but either way they get to completely make up their work. I have learned quickly that most of the students think of these punishments as vacation, and also most of the parents leave discipline up to the school so the students have no fear of consequences to their actions. I am the assistant band director, and even the band director, who has been at this school for 8 years now, has completely given up on this class. He says that for some reason this class has been the worst that has come through the school (in attitude, they are extremely talented students).
I have tried reward systems, positive reinforcement, incorporating other of their teachers, team building exercises, listening to popular music as well as classical music, and a variety of other things...and nothing seems to work. They absolutely refuse to participate in anything! Also, in our school we have no "break" or recess so I can't assign detention (which is one reason they are so wound up when they get to my class at the end of the day). My question was (now that I've rambled on) is what type of motivational tools have you used to keep your students engaged? I can't find anything that interest them. As far as I've been able to tell, all they talk about are video games...and I can't do a whole lot with that. Please...any responses would be greatly appreciated.