Teaching kids respect and self control
We normally find that students are really well behaved in our classes. That being said, it isn't always easy for kids to control their behaviour, stop talking when required and they sometimes find it hard to be polite and respectful to others.
For the purpose if maintaining good order and a pleasant learning environment for everyone, we insist that all students follow some very simple rules, see below. When a student is unable to abide by our rules, we cheerfully give them a warning. On the third warning, the student loses a fretpoint and must hand one back to their teacher.
We've found that this system of rules, warnings and penalties gives students control over their own behaviour, prevents teachers form getting frustrated with them if they misbehave and creates an atmosphere of trust and respect between the teacher and their students. We rarely ever have to take a fretpoint from a student but when we do it's usually the only one that student will ever lose again.
Rule 1: no noise while the teacher is speaking
This is a simple rule but often the hardest for some students to follow. The teacher always announce that he or she is about to speak with, "THAT'S IT, LISTEN UP!".
Students caught talking or playing their instrument after this announcement are given a warning and told what the were doing wrong. The teacher then waits to see if all other students are silent and warns any others that are also breaking this rule. This allows the teacher to gain and keep each students attention while explaining ideas and giving instructions to the group.
rule 2: no talking during checkout time
After the lesson has begun with a role call and points sheets have been collected, the teacher will go around the room checking out where each student is up to with the songs they have been working on during the week, giving them a "pass" and stamp for songs they can now correctly play or demonstrating to them where they can improve in order to play the song correctly. After a pass the teacher shows the student how to play the next song in their book and gets them working on it with correct technique.
During this time, students are informed that they must not speak with one another and that doing so will earn them a warning.
rule 3: no making fun of other students
While it doesn't tend to happen often, every now and then a student will inadvertently or purposefully invalidate another student's ability by laughing at them when they get something wrong, boasting that they can play a song that others aren't yet up to or make fun of them in some other manner. It is made expressly clear to students that this kind of behaviour is totally unacceptable and will instantly attract a warning.
They only way for students to learn is by creating a safe space for them to explore and investigate music and build their confidence by being free to make mistakes and try something new. See The importance of Mindset.
rule 4: no swearing or rude behaviour
Swearing and inappropriate gestures or behaviour have no place in our classes. Students will be prevented from engaging in such with a swift warning.
If rude or disruptive behaviour persists after losing a fretpoint, the student is told that their parents will be contacted and informed of the behaviour. If after two such occasions there is the need to contact you a third time, the student will be barred from attending any further lessons and your payments immediately terminated.