It can be difficult to keep students engaged all the time.  This lack of engagement is the cause of many behavior issues in the classroom.  Here are some simple strategies that have worked (they are not original ideas of mine, I have picked up ideas along my journey and tweaked them).

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Group Reward

Since behavior in the BCO (band, choir, orchestra) classroom can often be a challenge, it is always good to have some kind of reward system for group behaviors.

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• The group gets $25 "class dollars" at the start of every class period.  

• At any point when students are too noisy, start counting down from 5.  If they aren't quiet by 1, the group loses $5.   

• If the class achieves a set dollar amount (depending on how many classes in a week..like $250), they get to vote on their group reward.  

• Offer rewards that don't cost a lot of money but you know will motivate them.  You can create a ballot online or just create a paper one beforehand.  An example ballot would be:  

  • $300 - Rhythm Bingo

  • $400 - Extra recess during class (maybe half the class)​

  • $600 - Popsicle party during lunch

• Mix it up.  

  • If you are noticing that a couple students are ruining it for everyone, you can add points if those particular students reach a behavior goal during that class.​

  • Add points (or subtract) if something is annoying you like many students not putting cases away, not having pencils (add $.25 for every student who has a pencil that day), etc.

  • Add points if you want to correct a behavior the many in the group just exhibited.  i.e. they always keep talking right after you stop.  "If I hear NO sound after my baton stops, I will add $5."

  • Subtract points every time you count.  "If I get to 3, you lose $3."

  • If you have a student who is gifted in math, you can have her/him calculate interest.  Like 2.9% at the start or end of the week/class period.

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Individual Reward

In addition to a group reward it is important to reward those who are doing extra or being a model of good behavior.  This is not a new idea, and it might seem like bribery, but it does highly motivate some students and keep them engaged.

• Depending on the age group, find rewards that motivate students like:

  • Music pencils

  • Healthy (or unhealthy) snacks

  • Pretty much anything that doesn't cost you a lot out of your pocket

  • Sometimes during concert weeks you can offer a Jimmy Johns lunch with you

• Place the rewards (2 or 3 separate ones a week) in a large Ziploc bag and tape them to the door or wall (use gaffers tape - no glue will stay behind).

• Clearly post the opportunities to earn tickets.  These can include:

  • ​Exceptional behavior

  • Exceptional class effort

  • Cleaning up things the floor (instruments, folders, music, drum sticks, rock stops, etc) and putting them in the proper place (not during expected times)

  • Organizing the room outside of class

  • Performance Milestone (completing an objective level, scale challenge, etc.)

  • Anything else out of the ordinary - just ask.  If you have a lot of students, you can end class with "if you think you deserved a ticket for ______ today, please come see me."  If they didn't meet your expectations and they ask, it is a good teaching moment.

• Once they earn a ticket (which you can actually make yourself or buy a roll), they write their name on the back of the ticket and place it in the reward bag they want to try to win.

• Do the reward drawing at the end of the week. You have have a special guest like the Principal do the drawing so they know it's fair.

• You can ask parents for a large item donation for a grand reward at the end of the year.  Save all the non-winners and do one final "big" drawing.

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Professional development and coaching is available.  Visit my contact and inofo page for details and more information.