A Lesson From a Country Concert

Last night I went to my first concert in almost 2 years. It was simply called Country Concert. Yes, the actual name is Country Concert. The name doesn’t grab anyone’s attention, it doesn’t even sound exciting. But, it’s 10,000+ people, an amazing atmosphere, young up and coming artists, and big names in country music. The headliner I went to see was Eric Church.

Throughout the day, each artist is on a schedule. I know the schedule as it was printed on my badge. So, I’m sitting in my seat waiting……waiting…waiting…….and BAM!! It’s as if the artist appeared from nowhere and hit you with such energy! They choose just the right song to get you excited and out of the seat. This concert was a great time, but my teacher brain was thinking. How can we apply this to a classroom setting?

I often say to my colleagues around me, “Let’s do it to them before they do it to us.” It’s just a little humor to help us start the day. What if we took this to heart like the country artists at Country Concert?

• What if the first day of school was used to get to know the students as individuals? – I used to dread the first day of school. This isn’t due to summer ending, and waking up at 5:00 AM. It’s due to going over mind numbing rules. I’m using the first day to get to know students. I haven’t decided if I’m using Play Doh, Frayer a Student Smart START, or creating a passion wall. The first day should be fun and a way to show students that school isn’t a boring place!
• What if I started every class with music playing as students walked in? – In a typical classroom setting, students walk in, sit down (maybe), and wait for the teacher to start. What if this “typical” day could be changed? Students walk in and hear a song they requested the day before. This song plays even as students are working through a bellringer. Music has been a passion of mine for as long as I can remember. Starting a class with music allows me to share a passion of mine, and create a different way to start off a class.
• What if we started every lesson with some attention grabbing hook? – Transform the classroom, dress up and have “guest-speakers,” go outside for lessons, incorporate food, or use music. It’s so important to connect a lesson to students and try to find ways to “hook” them into the content.