Fix the Barriers, Fix the Behaviors - Managing Materials to Prevent Disruption

Managing Materials to Prevent Disruption:

Managing stuff and things is hard...and band has a lot of stuff and things.

I have found that my biggest challenges have been keeping students music and supplies organized, and that they share that struggle.

To save time, sanity, and remove shame from the equation I set up systems in my room to support both myself and my students.

These UNIVERSAL ACCOMODATIONS are amazing, and honestly, all accomodations should be universal, everyone can benefit from them. The difference is that for most kids, this just makes life simpler, for our neurodiverse kids, it equals the playing field and removes executive functioning issues before they happen.

The Band Binder

How to assemble binders

and some tips

I hate folders....why do we give kids, even neurotypical kids folders and then act surprised when they lose music.

I provide a binder with subject dividers for each of my musicians...

Each divider is for a different section

Include an about me page - include a place for serial number
Warm Ups
Theory
Lessons (method book type stuff)
Sheet Music
Resources

Keeping Things in View

Pictured here - my in progress set up for percussion

Mallets and aux percussion don't get misplaced or broken as often when they are stored in plain view.

I can also see at a glance if things are put away before I dismiss percussionists.

When set up, I take a photo and post it next to the wall so that students can see what it should look like before they leave

Pro Tip:

This has been a game changer...give your mallets names.

Kids don't care where the other mallet is, but they care that Spongebob isn't with Patrick.

I began this for the first time this year...and the mallets have been put back consistently by the percussionists.

Handouts and Stuff for Kids Who are Away

Paper - why is there so much paper

When students are away I put their handouts in the folder on the board...they know to check there when they return.

I may not always get sheets into the correct folder...but I put their name on it so they can find it.

I do this when I do attendance, while the kids are doing their one minute warm up.

Adding it to my attendance routine was the key to success

Managing Instrument Storage

Assigned instrument storage is important

I have them record their assigned space in their music binders
I include their assigned storage space on their luggage tag...which makes it easy to find where the instrument should be
I post a chart by the door so people can see where everything is stored, which is great when parents need me to grab an instrument for a kid who is sick...our admin assistants have thanked me for this chart :)

A video of the set up in my classroom

Things to Hand out and Extras

It is the Section Leader's responsibility to hand out music etc.

To make this easier I sort the handouts into folders. The section leader simply grabs the file and hands things out....any handouts for students who are away are placed in the "While you were away" file

Each band has it's own drawer, where the section leader should return the folder

Keeping Track of Student Sheet Music and Handouts

My students constantly lose music and handouts..which with budget cuts has become an issue. My solution was to move from band folders to band binders.

Keeping track of sheet music has been made easier by creating giant binders for each grade.

I used to divide them up by instrumentation and place one copy of every handout in one big binder, but it was still messy.

I now make a master binder for each instrument. They are allowed to use it in class, but are NOT to take anything out of it.

If they need a copy they can take the whole binder to the office and get a page copied.

In band, forgotten music or missing supplies create instant friction — and friction shows up as avoidance, disruption, or shutdown.

Systems like master binders remove the barrier at the moment it matters, keeping rehearsal moving and students engaged instead of escalating.

“When the environment is predictable and resources are easily accessible, students are more likely to engage and less likely to exhibit disruptive behavior.”
~ Adapted from principles in executive function and UDL research

Click on the button to learn about Managing the Environment for sensory needs

Managing Sensory Issues