Music Room Rules
These 5 simple rules tie in together. One rule
leads to another. Music is learned and created
best in an atmosphere where students are listening
and following directions, and where they feel safe
to explore and create. These rules help us
accomplish the most out of music class. And, they
help us have FUN!
* Listen Carefully
It is very important to LISTEN because, after all,
this is music class. We need to focus on listening
to the teacher’s directions because if we don’t
listen, we won’t know what to do! If we don’t know
what to do, we can’t have FUN! We need to listen
to the music so we can get a greater experience out
of class. Research proves that when we are
talking, we do not HEAR as effectively because our
brains cannot focus on those two tasks
simultaneously. When Mrs. Sharon is speaking,
students must be quiet. If you do not listen, you
can’t hear directions. If you don’t hear them, you
can’t follow them, which leads into rule #2….
* Follow Directions
Following directions are important because music is
a method that requires you to follow steps in an
order. If you do not follow the directions for a
given activity, you probably won’t come out with
the desired result. It is also important to follow
the directions EXACTLY as given during physical
activity so that students do not bump into each
other or fall down. Dancing and creative movement
to music will occur often! Directions will be
given verbally, as well as visually to maximize the
learning experience.
Also, if directions are not
followed, Mrs. Sharon might assume the student
didn’t listen, and two rules will have been broken!
If you don’t’ follow directions, you can’t have
FUN! If you do not follow directions that Mrs.
Sharon gives, you are not being respectful, which
leads into the next rule….
* Respect Others and School Property
We treat all of our classmates as we would like to
be treated. We are respectful of one another’s
feelings, as well as personal space. We do not
touch unless we have permission. We use good
manners and we take turns, share, and don’t
interrupt one another. If we are respectful, we
can have more FUN knowing we all trust each other
to listen and play along as we make music together.
We also must respect the materials and the
classroom we use in order to make music. Most of
these items do not belong to Mrs. Sharon, they
belong to our school and are “school property.” We
do not touch or use items in the classroom that
Mrs. Sharon designates as “off-limits” to students,
including but not limited to: storage cabinets,
computer, stereo and teacher desk. The books and
instruments and other music equipment items are
very expensive and must be used and played with in
the correct manner. Mrs. Sharon will demonstrate
proper usage of instruments to students and expect
them to FOLLOW DIRECTIONS while using them. That
shows respect for the instruments and classroom
equipment. See how all these rules are related to
one another?
* Work Together
Who likes to work alone, all the time? That’s no
FUN! For music class, it is next to impossible to
work alone! We need to work together to sing, play
and create. There will be times when students need
to complete tasks alone, but small and large
grouping for many activities will be necessary. We
will sing in groups, read music in groups, create
and write music in groups, play musical games in
groups, and solve problems and complete other tasks
with our classmates. Students may get to work with
only one partner, sometimes more. However we are
grouped, it is expected of each student to
contribute and cooperate. Students who are uncooperative and who do not work with the rest of
the group do not get to have FUN!!!
* Please Play Safely
Whatever we do, we must do it safely. It goes
without saying that running in the classroom is not
allowed, but there are other activities where
students may need to think very carefully about
what they need to do in order to not injure
themselves. Music instruments played the wrong way
can break, injuring the player or another student.
Students not following directions for a movement
activity might bump into others. Students who
aren’t listening won’t know what to do and could
use an instrument the wrong way or move in the
wrong direction. Here’s something to always
remember: If it could hurt me or another student,
then I shouldn’t be doing it. If a student gets
hurt in music, they won’t be having any FUN!