Hi Everyone,

I'm a band director in a public school. I am having a tough time right now. I teach four bands at two different elementary schools. At one of the two schools there is a group of fourth grade students who don't work hard or even put forth much effort. I find myself at a loss as to how to encourage them to put in more effort both at home and school and not get upset with them. Their behavior is horrible and they just don't seem to care about anything. Sadly, I use a token reward system and will be getting rid of it next year!! Obviously, token rewards don't work anyway...

In large group situations where students don't want to listen and don't seem to care what can I do/say to them? I feel like a broken record. When they are disruptive I stop the group and remind them that if they talk during class we will not be able to work hard and will not improve our playing. The don't care, keep talking don't listen. This happens class after class and I feel both embarrassed and degraded as an adult authority figure.

What are some phrases I can use with a large group of students to help them put forth more effort and behave more respectfully. I use AP and gentle discipline with my DD and I want to do the same with my students, but honestly, I feel like I'm oozing negative vibes with how poorly the behave and how little effort they put forth.

I've never had a group of kids with such bad behavior or lack of effort before. It's something new to me. Usually kids WANT to be in band...

Thanks for your help!