It was a short checklist that the teacher could quickly check off things that he had noticed about that student during class. It also helped communicate to the parents what was expected in music class - things like singing out, working with others and using their creativity in class.
I got really excited because I had been looking for ideas to motivate my extremely young 1st graders as well as Kindergarteners!
I re-created it as a word document that I print on blue paper and cut in half.
The kids love the "Blue Notes" and even remind each other during class to use "blue note behavior." As I'm passing out blue notes, I encourage the kids to cheer each other on, saying things like, "Great job, Jose!" in unison. This helps keep their little hearts from getting sad about not getting a blue note that week.
Some of the classroom teachers use it as an extra incentive and students that get a blue note get to "move their clip up" when they bring a blue note from music.
As I started to use "Blue Notes" I realized that I needed to keep track of how many blue notes each kid got. I have a terrible memory, so I have to write everything down! So I got a class roster for each class, which I keep on a clipboard next to the "Blue Note" clipboard. I just add a check beside the name/s of the kid/s that got a note that day. (And it helps the kids that haven't gotten one in a while to know that I am keeping track and I notice that they haven't gotten one recently.)
It literally takes 2 minutes as they are walking out the door. And if I am running late or their teacher is in a hurry, I "deliver" the notes later during my conference or at the end of the day.
DON'T MISS THIS GEM: We practice saying, "No big deal," and "Maybe next time," ALL the time in Kindergarten. It's one of my favorite life-saving phrases!
I start this week one/day one and we say it with everything!! The first time I say, "What will we do if we don't get a turn; will I cry like this?" Then I scrunch up my face and give a good pretend cry. "Will I pout and get mad at Mrs. Sweet?" Then I cross my arms, put on a scowl, and say, "I didn't get a turn!" in a super-silly pouty voice.
"Ooh! I know, repeat after me!" (Repeat after me!) "No big deal!" (No big deal!) "Maybe next time!" (Maybe next time!) From then, it's game on and we say it BEFORE we finish just about every activity. I find myself saying, "What if you don't get a turn?" about a thousand times every Kindergarten class. Inevitably, someone will respond, "No big deal, maybe next time!"
"What if I don't get a Blue Note today?" "No big deal! Maybe next time!"
It's super cute when they use these phrases unprompted!
Let’s Connect!
I love this exclamation I will definitely be printing out some blue notes to give kids. And I love the new big deal maybe next time. With my older kids I have them raise their hand before a game and say this is just a game. This is just for fun. I'm going to be honest. And have a good attitude. But that doesn't work as well for the little kids so I'm glad that now I have something for kindergarten and first grade!
ReplyDelete