A few general rules can be applied to both art and music classrooms. These should be introduced to students at the beginning of the academic year and followed consistently throughout. Some rules will be generic: kids should always carefully listen to and follow directions for example. Other rules will relate closely to the art or music classroom. For example, kids should always take care when handling classroom equipment and shouldn’t touch a musical instrument unless permitted by a teacher.
Teachers should inform students that if rules are broken, action will be taken. The Kettering City Schools website suggests a system involving a few simple steps that should be followed in order. For example, step one can be a verbal warning while the next step will include the rule-breaking child being removed from participating in activities. Disciplinary measures can go further within the music and art context; a misbehaving student can have his ability to attend choir practice or similar revoked.
Part of discipline in the music or art setting involves educating students about how musicians and artists behave. For example, musicians respect the creations of their peers and are polite about the work of others, regardless of their personal opinions. This should be reflected in how students behave toward each other. If the music class is working toward creating compositions, students should be taught to respect what their classmates have created and listen in silence when work is being demonstrated. Similarly, in a concert or life drawing session, the class should be aware that at some points, silence will need to be observed.
Part of a discipline plan involves encouraging students to act with responsibility and accept accountability within the classroom setting. In terms of art and music, kids must learn that they are responsible for the use and safety of classroom equipment. Teachers can encourage personal accountability by offering students records of their work. For example, kids can collect their art work in a portfolio and present it at the end of the year or record their musical creations on CD.