You are not alone. I have never been more challenged by beginning band than I am this year.

Hardly any self-control on the part of the kids, and very poor pattern recognition. They struggle to dictate quarter notes and quarter rests when we clap rhythms together. I repeat instructions constantly, make them repeat what I've said back to me, and I am still missing 10% of the class on each rep.

We are really struggling to scaffold/sequence ideas and concepts together. It's like every activity we do is on an island, and they don't make connections as we go. Or they don't apply the skills we've been learning to the new concepts.

I have been brainstorming some musical games that will force them to get into some higher level thinking. Haven't done any of them though. That will probably be next week. If you have any ideas, let me know.