Hear me out…. some of my BEST music lessons have come from watching student “misbehavior,” and this is my plea for YOU to consider letting student misbehavior inspire your lesson ideas.
First, a story about hula-hoops:
As a new teacher with a donated set of hula hoops, my original lesson idea was to scatter the hoops all over the room and have my students jump in and out of them to feel a steady beat.
I thought this was a great plan. My most energetic students, however, immediately began picking up the hula hoops and rolling them across the ground like they were car tires.
My initial reaction was to be frustrated that this “great” lesson idea was impeded by this stunt. As I reflected on the lesson, however, I realized something. The idea that these students had was way more fun than what I had planned. How can I make that fun musical?
My “new” lesson plan:
I re-evaluated how I was using these hula hoops and took a lesson from my fun loving students. I re-learned a “driving” song that I first heard in a professional development course and used it while we turned the hula hoops into car tires, steering wheels, helicopter blades, spaceships, and more. It was a HUGE hit!
The lesson I learned here:
I would have never thought to use my hula-hoops like this, but my students can be so much more creative than I am. Children have the power to see the world in such an uninhibited way that is so free, unique, and fun. Sometimes they can come up with the most-engaging lessons for you! You just have to pay attention to how they play!
Now, I make an effort to learn from and adjust to student misbehavior. I’ve learned that egg shakers can be bumble bees, drum sticks can be deer antlers, and the stretchy band can be made into letters. Embracing play has transformed the way that I plan my lessons and teach music.
How about you?
I’m curious, are there any ways that you have noticed you are inspired by student misbehavior? How do you feel about letting students play? Let me know your thoughts in the comments!
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