Rule-Free Teaching General by Joel Wagner - September 4, 2009June 30, 20109 This year, we have done things quite a bit differently in our band classes. We have not spent any time really outlining classroom rules. In fact, we really have been operating on a rule-free teaching model. Earlier this week, I clarified my "don't talk to me" policy. Beyond that though, we really haven't gone over anything specifically. No lists of rules and consequences. No do this, don't do this. It's just been fairly smooth. Of course from time to time, we have to elaborate on a few points (restroom passes, phone usage, etc.) but those are more policy type things. In fact, we have normally spent an entire class day going over the Band Handbook and passing it out to
Less Stress: Eliminate Junk Food Stress Reduction by Joel Wagner - October 3, 2007July 5, 20100 Junk Food. We hear the term tossed around all the time. What is junk food? Basically, it's any food that lacks substantial nutritional value. White flour is a perfect example. They take something healthy (wheat flour), bleach it, and kill any nutrients that may have been there. Fried foods are another example. Soft drinks and desserts also have loads of sugar (or comparable unhealthy sugar substitutes) in them. I used to eat them all the time. Since this school year began, I stopped. If it's yellowish in color, it wouldn't be a bad idea to avoid it! Tomorrow, we'll look at how I have replaced the junk food. In addition to drinking almost nothing by water, the elimination of junk