Every class (…)
Here is another example of an engaging practice that, from a professional experience, fosters students’ SCHOOL ENGAGEMENT. By school engagement we mean students’ observable participation in school activities, sense of belonging to classmates and teachers, and valuing success in school-related goals.
It is implemented by: Teacher
It is directed at students aged: 9-15
Target group: Class-centered
Main subjects involved: Arts, music
ICT involvement: no
Description of the practice: Every class has its own band. The main idea is that every student can play and participate. Playing together increases the sense of belonging and self-esteem. Every student has her/his own role in the band, an own piece in the totality. It the piece is taken out, the music doesn’t sound the same anymore – so everyone has their own, important role. The teacher takes care that a student has a role/instrument which she/he can manage. If needed, the role can be very simple.
When the students practice hard and the teacher can give good feedback to them, the self-esteem of the students increases and gives them more courage to practice more and more – sometimes they can feel the flow. The students also learn to concentrate which helps them to concentrate in other subjects.
Accessible to any student: yes
Meaningful participation for every student: yes
Why?: Usually the answer is yes, but sometimes some a student feels very, very frightened to act in a group and in these cases the teacher can’t force the student to participate.
Support to the practice: yes