Now is the time to begin to engage your new students and expose them to the imaginative and exciting year to come and help them to look forward to joining your class.
HERE'S AN IDEA
Write each of them a note telling them how excited you are to welcome them to the busy and interesting world of the 4th ( insert your grade) grade. Then ask them if they've ever seen an orchestra or band in person or on the TV. Explain how each instrument is different yet they all come together and work together to create ONE smooth running and beautiful entity. They make music together.
Now invite each of them to decide which instrument they would be if they WERE the orchestra. Ask them to find out about their instrument and practice making the sound of that instrument.Make sure that they know that they will be asked to share what they've learned when they come back to school in the Fall. Let them know that they can write back to you if they want.
HOW TO IMPLEMENT THIS IDEA
Make a name tag for each child. Collect pictures of as many instruments you can think of and have them ready to affix to the name tag as you learn of each child's choice. Downloading and printing color copies from the internet is generally the easiest.
Each day during the first week ( number of days depends on the number of children involved) invite some of the children to tell you about their choice and to give a sample of the sound that their instrument makes. At the end of the week, or when all have had a turn, gather them as if in an orchestra and have them make the sound of their instrument to the tune of "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" or a tune of your choice.
LESSON
You have begun to teach them that together they are ONE group and will be most successful when they work together peacefully, joyfully and in full co-operation for all they want to do and achieve.
