Discipline.

I am not one to talk about, even participate in arguments. Usually I avoid them at all costs. I cannot stand confrontation and it often makes me very uncomfortable. However, being a teacher has forced me to "face my fear", so to speak. Working with younger students, especially Kindergarten, 1st grade, and 2nd grade, has given me the opportunity to instill a sense of adulthood into their little brains. Expecting musicians posture, hand raising, as well as no talking when an adult is talking has been difficult but manageable. Though some classes are superb at exemplifying these actions, I still feel as though I redirect all the time. My trouble comes in when I have to get "mean" and sit someone in the watch-zone.

The watch-zone as my CT so loving calls it, is a place where students can sit and watch, not participate. At NAPA we are all about consequences, both positive and negative. No where is this more true than in the music room. If a student shows they are responsible, respectful, knowledgeable they should be rewarded. If a student shows they are irresponsible, disrespectful, or slacking they should be removed. In our case, they are removed from the fun, play-like activities such as playing instruments.

On Monday, I had a group of 4th graders who were doing a worksheet type activity to review. They were allowed to use the library wall in the back of the room as a reference. 2 students decided to use their writing utensils to play the orff instruments instead of working on their assigned task. After directing the class to not use the instruments or the walls as a writing surface I specifically gave them a 2nd warning. The 3rd time I decided it was not going to work and proceeded to take away their papers and sit them in the watch-zone. One of the students felt the need to back talk as well as tell me that he did not play the instrument and began to direct the blame toward various students. I proceeded to tell him that I saw his dis-respectful actions with my own eyes and that his privileges would be removed for the remainder of the class. I also told him that if he continued the next logical consequence would be phone call home.

Common sense would tell anyone that the students continued to protest. And that they did. My CT took over and I was left to return to the class. However, I found my mind stuck in the ruts of this discipline issue, even though it was being resolved. I have a hard enough time as it is moving on from disappointing situations, but when I am in the middle of the issue it seems impossible to clear it from my mind. I have uncovered one of the many mysteries of being a teacher: YOU MUST DISCIPLINE AND MOVE ON. Though it is important to address situations as they arise, and even point out to the class what could be done in the future to avoid said situations, it is essential to move on. As the teacher I hold the power as to what my students receive from a lesson. I must value their time.