Where Are We Going For Our Next Road Trip? Let Me Lead The Way

Upon further reflection there are a few more things that I would like to consider  doing in order to better engage the all boys class.  First of all, next year I would like to start attending the gender meetings that happen so that I can stay up to date with that is going on in their classroom.  Also, I want to have the homeroom teachers on Edmodo with the rest of the group so that they can be well aware of what is going on in the music classroom.  This will also help with any homework that I give the students. There are ways to award students badges on Edmodo so maybe I can set up some sort of rewards program with their homeroom teachers to reward the good behaviour in my class.

The next thing I would like to consider doing this year is having an extracurricular "boys" and extracurricular "girls" composition clubs.  I am thinking of running it for one month blocks, possibly at a lunch hour, so that students can come in and use the iPads to create music.  I have found that you are able to develop stronger connections with students when you are able to work with them outside of the every day classroom setting.  Based on this, I think having a club that would appeal to these students would help me to develop a better relationship with the students, in turn, having more successful classes with them on an every day basis.

Next year I also hope to continue to be on the leadership committee. I want my voice to be heard and I want to be 'in the know' of what is happening in the school. Hopefully things will be back to normal this year so the school year should be more active and involved.

Our department, and school, plan to put on a musical next year.  I had this idea two years ago and had approached the principal about it. I found that the current extracurricular activities in the music department were not necessarily inclusive to the entire student body.  To be in band, you had to rent an instrument.  To be in Glee Club you had to audition and be one of 10 good singers.  For talent show and our school Idol competition you had to audition and be 'the best'.  Anybody could join bucket drumming (yay!).  I wanted to create something that would not only be more inclusive for students, but provide them with opportunities that were maybe not directly related to music, but supported music.  All students have different strengths and giving them opportunities to use these strengths helps them gain more confidence and establish a sense of belonging. I am hoping that the all boys class will be able to take on building some of our sets!  Often, the all boys classes get the 'building things' tasks around the school.

Next year I would also like to encourage more of the students in the all boys class to be part of music council.  I will promote this early on in the year and see if I can get their interest in this!  We would also like to start to sell some school music clothing and I think the design of this may be something that really interests this particular group of boys!