Don’t Blink
It’s hard to believe it’s already November! We just celebrated Halloween, and now we’re counting down the days to Thanksgiving break, with holiday and winter concerts approaching fast. The calendar feels packed with days until we can rest, yet there’s not enough time to feel fully prepared for the upcoming concert.
Sidebar- I’m a Doctor Who fan. My late husband introduced me to the show, and I fell in love with it instantly. Growing up, my father exposed me to science fiction, which sparked my appreciation for fantasy. Doctor Who was a perfect match for me, featuring an alien main character with two hearts and a sonic screwdriver as his weapon of choice. When confronting villains, he always offered them a choice: do better or face the consequences. One memorable episode is titled "Blink," where a race of aliens disguised as angel statues can only move when you blink, causing you to disappear.
We Blinked!
In October, we all experienced the impacts of Hurricane "Milton." Fortunately, if you're in Miami-Dade, we were spared. Many of us likely held fall showcases or Hispanic Heritage concerts—congratulations on those! Personally, my month was quite busy:
10/13- High Five meeting—our first of the year, so we’re a bit behind.
10/15- Workshop at Arthur and Polly Mays with the Senior High Choral Ensemble.
10/19- The University Singers performed a concert with the Concert Choir at FIU titled "Journeys of Life, Love, and Spirit."
10/20- Vocal Youth Miami and Civic Chorale presented a joint concert called "Voices of the Earth."
10/25- Presented at FL ACDA alongside Jamie Sutta from Vocal Youth Miami.
10/31- Choral Workshop at Fergusson Senior High with the SATB Falcon Singers.
Student Behavior
I’ve come to realize that most students are not troublemakers; they’re often navigating unseen challenges. They might be bored, hungry, or upset after an argument with a parent. In a world where they have little control, their behavior often reflects their circumstances rather than a conscious decision to disrupt class. As teachers, we strive to prevent misbehavior while recognizing that many students are simply trying to get through their day.
For instance, do you have a student who frequently calls out in class? They may struggle to control this behavior despite their desire to participate. We have a student like this in one of our ensembles. This student genuinely wants to do the right thing but feels an overwhelming urge to speak up.
To address this, we've started providing the student with a dry erase board to jot down thoughts and questions during rehearsal. This approach has significantly reduced the calling out. It reminds me of my friend Jeannine, who grew up before ADD was widely diagnosed. Recognizing her own challenges, she found that doodling during lectures helped her stay focused without distracting others. Sometimes, a student may appear disengaged, but they could be paying attention in their own way. We need to be open to the idea that attention looks different for everyone.
With this in mind, I’d like to share some resources we recently discussed with our interns. Some of these suggestions prompted me to reflect on my own teaching practices. While not every idea will work for every student, it’s valuable to consider what you’ve already tried and explore new possibilities that might help.
Extinction Procedures: Responses That Reduce or Eliminate Problem Behaviors
Next-Level Classroom Management: Extinguishing Challenging Behaviors In Your Classroom Community
