Choosing helpers

[thinkfirst]

One of my pet peeves in teaching Primary music is the time wasted in picking helpers - and the whining, loud irreverence it causes.

In this thread let's all give our methods for choosing helpers that don't involve, "who wants to go next," or "I'll pick the one who sings best."

IMHO those two phrases create problems rather than solve them.

1) Each child's name is on a card or popsicle stick. The music leader picks a stick and then keep track so that the names you pick one week don't go back into the pile until all children have been picked over the weeks.

[ellenh]

One of my main ways of choosing helpers is to have a class or a row of children come up to help. It is much quicker than choosing children individually and makes it easier to remember who has had a turn and who hasn't.

[shellbelle]

Our 'chosing can' are tongue depressors with each kid's name on them. One end is colored red which means they've gone. The other is green and means pick me. Once I have picked a green one I just turn it around to the red side. Once they are all red then I turn them all over and start over again. This eliminates the "pick me, I want to go next" because they quickly learn they will get picked and have a turn.

[elizabeth]

What does IMHO mean?

[Nicole]

Oops - that's an internet shortcut acronym. I probably better find a list to link to!

IMHO = in my humble opinion

[spontoneous]

We use the red and green sticks, too. But if I'm trying to keep a reverent tone, I ask a teacher to pick an extra reverent child from their class.

[laurelin]

Maybe I'm unusual, but I don't like the "choosing sticks" method. I think it takes up so much time, because half the time, you have to go through several sticks before you find a child who is actually there that day. I think it really interrupts the pace of things.

I like the idea of asking a teacher to choose someone from his/her class, or if a lot of helpers are needed, asking an entire class to come up.

[avsfan]

Feb 3, 2009 16:34:20 GMT -5 laurelin said:

Maybe I'm unusual, but I don't like the "choosing sticks" method. I think it takes up so much time, because half the time, you have to go through several sticks before you find a child who is actually there that day. I think it really interrupts the pace of things.

I like the idea of asking a teacher to choose someone from his/her class, or if a lot of helpers are needed, asking an entire class to come up.

I agree. I've tried the stick thing, and it takes up too much time for me!!
I do want to be better at making sure everyone gets a chance, so my next challenge is to start picking the kids whose names I know least well. I think they naturally get chosen less, because they are quieter or newer or something. Maybe I'll start at the back of the room and move up, child by child.

[jenerator]

I get crusty looks from teachers if I have them choose! My teachers are a tough crowd. My favorite method so far is my sticker jar. I got some cheap stickers at Walmart (could go to the dollar store, too). Cut them apart with the backing still on, and wrote a child's name on each one. When I need a helper, I draw a sticker, and the child gets to help and keep their sticker. It has pretty much eliminated the whining and complaining. Everyone knows it's fair since we have to rotate through all the names before I'll get new stickers. There are times that I draw several names that aren't there before I get to one that is, but it doesn't seem to break our momentum.

Our junior and senior primaries are separate, so I have a jar for each.

[jkkd80]

I've struggled with choosing helpers. We have the stick jars, but I wanted to use being my helper as a reward for those who are being reverent and singing well. My PP suggested this week that I try the sticks instead since it's fairer.

I told her of course I would change to the sticks and explained why I hadn't being using them. She suggested that I choose a stick and read the name silently. If it is a child that is being very irreverent, I simply return the stick to the jar and say, "This child isn't being reverent right now, so I'm going to choose a different stick. I'll leave this stick on green and maybe next time I choose it they will be ready to be my helper." Of course, DO NOT say the name of the child.

I'm going to give this a try for a few months. I think it will be the best of both options.

[tatey02]

I LOVE this idea. Thanks!

[Amber Omer]

I like the idea of looking at the stick first and saying that this child isn't being reverent, etc.
I haven't used the sticks much since i've been called, but I want to try that mentioned method.

We've always announced (only once in the very beginning, and tell them we will not be reminding them again) that we will choose our helpers from the children that are singing and being reverent. And I may glance quickly, however I usually choose immediately while folding my arms etc. The teachers usually point out or motion to kids that really need to be called on and that have been super reverent, etc. which is helpful.

[Beckyspoints]

I work in a large primary (over 70 kids in both jr and sr -150+ total ) and we always ask the teacher to chose. It's impossible for me to keep track of who need/wants a turn. And if there is a special need, the teacher will know who would most benefit from coming up.

We've done it this way for the last 3 years in our primary and I love when I hear a teacher say to a child that if they sit reverently that they will send them up next. What great individual encouragement that I could never give.

We pick kids this same way in sharing time as well. I think if you explain to the teachers why you are doing it that way then they will not complain.