Simpedia

Cheri S., Utah

I’m a brand new teacher, just a month in. I’m teaching only shared lessons and have several groups of different abilities and ages. Overall, I love the energy of the group and all the different, engaging activities you can do with them.

I have one group with lower energy. They’re all at that age where they would do anything to avoid feeling vulnerable: 11-13. And it’s a mix of genders, two boys & two girls. Also, at least one of them (a girl) is simply not the type to show a lot of emotion or enthusiasm. Already, she has loosened up more than I’ve seen her do in other settings. I don’t have the sense that any of them are dissatisfied with their experience, but I feel like lesson time could be more fun for me and them.

I believe that with more time together, and as they each become confident about music, they’ll continue to grow more comfortable and let their enjoyment show more. I’m looking for ideas and activities that might help jump-start that process. I’m thinking games would probably help, and I’ve already pulled a few off FAQs.

On the FAQs under “Using Games in the Classroom,” Sheri Reingold refers to an attachment (“an outline of ideas to use in lessons that all the teachers at the symposium received”). I wondered if someone has that document and would be willing to share, with the whole group again, or attach it to me privately if most others already have it.

And I would love more ideas that might liven up my reticent tweens, help them relax and enjoy themselves more, laugh more, loosen up and have fun.