Rock Star Wall

Hooray!  A snow day brings my first Music Class idea blog!  And of course, it's not even my idea, it's Kyle's brilliant idea.  It's too funny, last year Kyle had zero general music teaching experience (aside from fieldworks & some subbing jobs) when he got hired to teach K-5 music. He was TERRIFIED, and now? he's a creative genius.  The kids idolize him, and he has a great combination of making music fun and unique along with teaching the curriculum.

Kyle's Famous Rockstar Wall.  This was something Kyle came up with at the beginning of the 2011 school year, and is probably his best idea to date.

Whole class incentive.  At Kyle's school, an entire class can be awarded with a sticker showing that they had excellent behavior in a class. In order to track their behavior throughout class, Kyle came up with the Rock Star Wall.  This year, Kyle added an electric guitar to his Rock Star wall that says "ROCKSTAR" on it with a star on either side, making it 10 characters long (equal to 10 points).  He took a giant Martin Guitar pick and will move the pick up on down the word Rockstar based on the students behavior.  The Gold star to the left of the word ROCKSTAR is the highest award the kids can get (a total of 10 points).  IF the class earns the Gold star by the end of class, then they earn a class sticker, and one student is chosen as the Rockstar. (the silver star all the way to the right is the lowest point amount students earn, not a good thing).

If the student is chosen as "Mr Grimms Rockstar" they earn a reward, the Rockstar.  The Rockstars are a "card-stock star on a piece of yarn" that says in silver Sharpie "Mr. Grimm's Rockstar".  The student gets to go up to the "Rockstar wall" in the front of the room, and pick out the Rockstar of their choice, then wear it around their neck.

How can you become a Rockstar?  You must show exemplary behavior, participate, and be kind to other students (plus your class must earn the Gold Star as well).  I know sometimes Kyle will also use them as an incentive for a student who may be having a tough day, or a tough few weeks.  When that student shows an exemplary behavior they may become the Rockstar.  It is a great incentive, and it is so simple.

IF students earn 5 Rockstars over the school year, students may trade in their 5 Rockstars for a SILVER Rockstar.  If students have earned 10 Rockstars (or 2 silver Rockstars) over the year, that student may trade them in for a GOLD Rockstar (the ultimate reward).

Sounds simple? The kids die for this!  Kyle has heard that some kids keep their Rockstars at home on their bed posts, some keep them decorating their desk chairs in their classroom. It does take him a while to make the rockstars, cut the yarn etc, but I know that sometimes after tests, or in extra coverages he will have the older kids help him make the Rockstars.

He does this with all Grades Kindergarten through 5th Grade.

Below are a few pictures of the Rockstar wall:

Go Kyle!
Enjoy - Jack =)