The following is the preface to Ben Stiefel's
Winning Over Your TOUGHEST Music Class.


     Let's be honest: the behavior of children can be awful. Depending on vast and varied factors, you may teach general music students who are polite, respectful, and eager to learn. On the other hand, if you experience poorly behaved, disrespectful, and unwilling-to-learn students, then this book will provide you with the techniques you need to win over your class.

     Let's begin with discipline. Everyone knows that without discipline, teaching cannot take place. My years of teaching experience have helped me reach the following conclusion: there are teachers who innately have great disciplinary skills, others who acquire them through years of experience and study, and still others who may never achieve them. Whatever your level of disciplinary skill, the ideas and concepts presented here will strengthen your ability to exude greater control and balance in your classroom.

     Ironically, any time I let my profession be known, the usual response is, "You teach music? That's great! Kids like music!" This inaccurately suggests that teaching music cannot be as difficult as teaching reading or math, which are commonly considered "real" subjects. I'll be the first to admit that most children like music, and in many cases, in preference to reading or math. However, the study of music requires students to listen, think, evaluate, study, and practice, which, incidentally, are also crucial components for student’s success in math, reading, or any other of the so-called "real" subjects.

     Children may enjoy music, but I have seen that in a classroom setting, it has no bearing on their ability to learn it as a group. Because students look upon music as a fun subject, behavioral problems may arise. In fact, with student accountability in reading and math strongly emphasized by most schools, a child's grade in music may seem markedly less consequential. Consequently, children may feel they’ve been given license to be incorrigible! If reading and math are important subjects, what then is music? To many students, the answer is obvious: unimportant!

     There are hundreds of books on the market today that address the issue of classroom discipline. Books on assertive discipline, resolving conflict creatively, and other methodologies can easily be found in the library or by searching the internet. My book does not present a general education disciplinary methodology. Rather, it is specifically written for the general music teacher who needs to gain control of a poorly behaved class. As a New York City public school music teacher who has experienced over twenty years of classroom trials and tribulations, I can attest to the effectiveness of these tried-and-true techniques. Trust that they will serve you well. So then, let's raise our baton and get ready to conduct our best music class ever!

See more of our Music Appreciation and Classroom Management Song Lyrics

Many thanks to Ben Stiefel for permission to display these lyrics.
© Ben Stiefel. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

Music Appreciation
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Classroom Management
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Music Theory
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