Hi Everyone!

I am really excited, as at long last I have my first Recorder teaching job!!! I start in September. I will be teaching 2 one hour sessions a week of an after-school club in a Primary school near my area. One class will have Reception and KS1 children (which I have the chance to split if I want to, not sure yet - any ideas?), and the other will be KS2.

I have 3 months to plan what I'm going to do, and I was wondering if anyone had any advice as to where to start? I am planning to look in my music shops to suss out the recorder repertoire. I have not been told if any of the children can read music or have had any form of musical training, which is something I should really find out. I am working on the assumption that the younger children would not have played an instrument before, and that the older pupils might well have.

This is my first major teaching job, and a group-teaching one at that! Any ideas on what I need to do to prepare? What I need to concentrate on? What I should do next? I would be most grateful to anyone who could share their experience and advice with me!


Thanks very much!

Hon, have sent you a PM!

Bag to the Rescue....

xx

This is just my opinion; split the reception and ks1 children. This would make 2 half hour slots which will be much more achievable for little children of those ages, as their concentration span won't be massive!

Good luck

I agree, half an hour is fine for the infant aged children. I use A and C Black's 'Recorder Magic' books with my 6-7 year olds. The series is ideal, has them reading music more or less straight away with catchy pieces and the accompanying CD is imaginative and fun. I also include warm up activities in my sessions - clapping/copying games, spot the wrong note when I play a well known tune, clapping to a beat etc. I give stickers at the end - always goes down well! One more thought - I buy the recorders on the children's behalf (assuming the school aren't providing them) I get them at a good price and get to choose the make, usually Aulos or Yamaha. This way I know they will be reasonable sounding instruments, some of the 'toy' ones leave a lot to be desired, tuning wise!

Good luck!

You could also find out whether your school runs a house point system and whether you could give out house points. This would go down well particularly with the Y1s and could be valuable in ensuring their cooperation and best behaviour.

You always need more material ready than you think you might use as a safety net.

Good luck!

Well done. I'm sure you'll enjoy your new job. There are loads of good, child-friendly materials about now.

hillyb