How to grade a bump on a log?

[nafmeadmin]

How do you grade/evaluate a student who sits in class and doesn’t do anything? How do you keep this person engaged in some kind of musical activity? This student doesn’t talk, drum, dance, sing, move. He would not demonstrate how to hold the drum, he would not move when the class was walking in a circle, which created a pile-up. I’m guessing this student has severe anxiety issues, but he isn’t coded. (I’ve talked with classroom teacher and guidance counselor) I had the student stay in for recess the other day to write me a note about what he has learned in music, and he wrote a couple sentences (literally 2) showing that he is listening. I am not a worksheet teacher- I grade/evaluate students on participation, and what I can see/hear them do. I can see that a student can keep the beat. I can hear that they can sing on pitch. This student cannot show me either of those things through writing. Any ideas you have are greatly appreciated!

[nafmeadmin]

Find out what musical activities “the bump” enjoys. Perhaps you may be able to differentiate your plans that will motivate “the bump” to participate. I taught a student several years ago who did not seem interested in participating in class lessons and activities. I learned, from him, that enjoyed working on the computer. I located interactive computer programs (and books) that focused on the objectives I taught. He mastered the objectives via the computer program (and writing book summaries). The other students mastered the objectives via active participation during class.

[nafmeadmin]

Have you talked to the classroom teacher or the parents? What grade/age is the student? I tend to communicate these kinds of things each quarter with my report card comments, i.e. “So and so does not participate actively in songs and learning activities. It would help so and so if he/she would sing, move, drum with the class to develop music skills. Music class is a doing class, so participation is huge part of how we learn in class.” Something like that so that parents get a small idea of the fact that you do LOTS of different activities, not just sit and sing songs out of a book.

[nafmeadmin]

Have you asked him what he likes to do? Engaged him in a conversation about music?

I often have lunch with the kids and establish a different kind of relationship that way. A kid might open up during lunch.

Have you had him sing or do something for you alone, or asked him to invite a friend and do a small less anxiety provoking lesson?

Or..can you make him be a leader somehow? Have him choose something to bring to the music class?

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