Rockstar!

I don’t know about you, but I’m not a big fan of rules that emphasize everything you are not supposed to do. “No shouting. No hitting. No running.” No, thank you.

Instead, I try to create a supportive class environment and build a community that feels safe and welcoming to all my students. Cue the “Rockstar” entrance.

Rockstar is a system I developed years ago and my kiddos have really taken to it. So, as we head back to school, I always take time to (re)introduce my students to the “Rockstar” system.

At the front of the room, in a spot where the kids can easily see it is a poster that says “Rockstar Rules.” I remind them what it takes to be a rockstar (aka “rules”) at the beginning of class and announce who the rockstar is at the end. Before they leave, the rockstar gets to:

• Put a sticker on the class chart (think of a Candyland, winding path)

• Push the “rockstar button” (mine sounds kind of like the tune before you shout “charge” at a baseball came—the kids often do a “Yay!” at the end)

• Cut to the front of the line (this also silently communicates to the homeroom teacher a student that had an awesome day)

• When the whole class completes the chart, they get a celebration

What does it take to be a “Rockstar”? So glad you asked!

1. Work hard

   • I explain that this doesn’t look the same for any two people. Everyone has strengths and challenges. For some people, it’s really hard to hold an instrument in “resting position.” Others have a hard time matching pitch and for another person, keeping their body to themselves is really difficult. I talk about how everyones “work hard” looks different. And I’m looking for someone who is doing their hard work.

2. Be kind to my classmates and teacher

   • The teacher part is important! I remind them that I’m human too and even teachers have feelings. Be nice! They typically get a kick out of that.

3. Listen to and follow directions

   • I explain how this one is a two-parter. Listening and then doing whatever you want, isn’t how it works. You gotta listen up…and then do the thing!

4. Raise my hand and wait to be called on

   • Another two-parter! Raising your hand and shouting out the answer, or “Ooh, ooh, Ms. Hughes, call on me, I know the answer!” is not really useful. You gotta raise it and wait for your turn to talk. I also remind them that they have AMAZING things to say; their friends are super brilliant, so listen up!

5. Respect all instruments

   • I always like to point to my oldest instrument (the one that pre-dates my teaching at the school) and ask them to guess how old it is. They’re usually off by a lot in one way or another— so I tell them that this one bass xylophone is (this year) 25 years old (happy bday Bassy)! Then I tell them that the students at our school are such responsible kiddos and because they have taken incredible care of our instruments, we are lucky enough to have this super-duper old xylophone in amazing condition. So, in order to have nice things, they need to keep respecting our instruments.

Tried and True Tips:

• I announce who the rockstar is as students are lining up. I remind them that the way they line up “seals the deal.” Both because they want to be rockstar and because they’re listening for the announcement—they’re usually quiet!!!

• I mark who the rockstar is on my calendar so I know who has had it when. They can be rockstar multiple times, but I usually try to cycle through the group before repeating.

• Sometimes we have the goal of a “group rockstar” at the start of class—they ALL have to do it together or no sticker for the day. I pull a number for the person who sticks on the chart and they all get to push the button.

• I let them help plan the celebration and try to get them a little something (mini pop ‘ems, croc bracelets with jibbits, etc.

There you have it: Rockstar. I keep it short and I keep it consistent. Sure, there are a lot of other rules I could throw at them, but these five are my basics for creating the community that I want to foster. And personally, I love the celebration of the individual combined with the teamwork of the class goal.

Don’t forget to subscribe to emails for teaching tips, new product drops, and much more!