Been having a huge issue lately getting my student to listen to me. Today I got fed up with my 7th grade class and gave them an assignment in which they had to define 20 music terms. They were to sit quietly and do (or not do) the assignment. But there was to be no talking. For 20 minutes of my class today I actually had them following my instructions.

6th grade did really well, for the most part today. I warned them that 7th grade couldn't handle following instructions and they ended up with a consequence and that if the 6th graders couldn't handle instructions, they would be enduring one as well. I also woke up with a sore throat today so I told them that I wouldn't talk over them and instead would just simply wait for them to finish their side conversations. Out of the whole class, I only had to give writing assignments to 4 kids. The rest of them did a very good job listening to instructions, or at least getting quiet quickly. Probably one of the best listening days I've had with them in a while. My throat was thankful.