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My Visual System: MUSIC on the Board

Here’s what changed everything for me:
I created large, laminated letters that spell MUSIC, each one magnetic and placed on my whiteboard.

• When students are focused—eyes up, voices off, bodies calm—MUSIC stays on the board.

• If expectations aren’t being met? I don’t raise my voice. I simply remove a letter-the “C.”

• No long speeches. No yelling. Just a calm, clear signal.

And here’s the key: they can always earn it back. That’s why this works.

If we end class with “MUSIC” still on the board, they earn two points. If they earn back the “C” they lost, they still get two points. But if more than one letter is gone? No points.

Double L’s and the Mysterious “Y”

Once in a blue moon, I’ll pull out the double L’s—but only for something truly special. Maybe the class overcame a huge challenge, showed incredible teamwork, or hit a big musical goal.

And the “Y”?
It’s been given once. Ever.

The “Y” transforms “MUSIC” into MUSICALLY, and that moment became school-wide news. It meant something. It was earned. That’s the heart of this whole system: giving experiences that matter.

Tracking Progress with Keyboards

Each class has a mini keyboard displayed in the room—from middle C to high C. When they earn points (by keeping MUSIC up), they move forward on the keyboard. It’s a simple, exciting visual for students to track their progress—and work toward an earn.

What’s an “Earn”?

Earns are the experiences students look forward to when they’ve worked hard, stayed focused, and met expectations—and they only happen if MUSIC is still on the board. These are the small, meaningful moments that happen right at the end of class. They don’t take long, but they matter. Some of my favorite quick earns include instrument play, scarf dances, free dances, and short composing activities. These are easy to prep, fun for students, and reinforce musical concepts while rewarding great behavior.

Bigger Earns for Bigger Goals
When a class fills their keyboard—from middle C to high C—it usually takes 1 to 3 months of consistent effort. And for that, they earn something big. These larger earns might be class outside, a short movie day (like Olaf’s Frozen Adventure—only 22 minutes and full of musical tie-ins), parachute class, or a surprise experience the students have been working toward. These moments feel like a celebration because they are, and your students will remember the work it took to get there. Want to hear more? I walk through all my earn ideas in the video!

What About the “Black Vortex”?

Ah yes, the black vortex. My mentor in college taught me this concept: the rare moment when a class has completely lost control and nothing is working. In that case—and only then—you can raise your voice. But:

• Never with the “tough class” (the ones who are used to being yelled at).

• Never out of frustration.

• Never more than once or twice a year.

It’s not really yelling. It’s a reset. A pause. You leave the room. You come back. You say, “Let’s begin again.” And then you do.

But 99% of the time? This system works better—and it leaves your voice, and your relationships, intact.

Final Thoughts for New Music Teachers

This earn system doesn’t fix everything. Students will still push boundaries. You’ll still have off days. But having a clear, visual tool that helps students understand expectations—and lets them win something meaningful—will absolutely change your classroom management game.

And more than that: it reminds you that you don’t need to yell. You just need systems that work.

Follow along for the rest of this series as we keep walking through the questions new music teachers face. From classroom setup to first lessons, we’re in this together.

Happy teaching—and remember: when MUSIC is on the board, we can make it.

Final Thoughts

Burnout is real—and so is the joy of teaching. Use this time to reconnect with your students, gather helpful data, and celebrate everything you’ve accomplished this year.

You’ve done great work. Don’t let these last weeks slip away without recognizing that. Finish strong, stay grounded, and—most importantly—enjoy the music.

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