Why won't some of my students look at the music while I am teaching?

I received a question via email from a fellow chorus teacher.

Here is the question-

Dale,

Any tips for transitions in ms choir class?   I notice when I ask students to turn to a certain page of a certain song, kids are often slow to get there or need to be reminded what page.    About 80% of the kids do it but I’m left afterwards correcting the 20% who don’t have them out.   Perhaps this was an expectation I could’ve set better at the beginning of the year.  

Thanks! 

Here is my answer-

It's common for some students in this age group NOT to rely on the music, but instead to rely on hearing the people around them and relying on them to learn the words/melody/rhythms to a song.  This happens for a variety of reasons including but not limited to the following-

1). They don't understand how to read an octavo and haven't successfully been taught how to do it.  It isn't easy to successfully teach this, and some kids just don't get it until we sit down with them one on one.

2).  Some kids are auditory learners.

3).  Some students simply cannot read with ease yet.  I know it sounds crazy, but I've encountered that more often than most would believe.  Students who fit into this camp are struggling with reading comprehension.  Add to that the challenges of reading an octavo, and boom...they don't want to pick up the music.  

Here are a couple of tricks that work for me is this-

"Everyone turn to page 9, measure 42.  Once you've found it, raise your hand."

"Everyone turn to page 9, measure 42.  Once you've found it, show one of the students who sits near you."

Regardless of the reason why some students are reluctant to look at the music, we have to find out what the issue is and help them solve it.  We have to encourage those who are reluctant to use the music and recognize them positively when they do it.  Learning to read music is very similar to learning to speak a different language.  It takes time, tenacity and determination...especially if the only way they are learning to read music is through chorus class (no private piano lessons or band/orchestra).  That is why so many young voice majors start music school at universities and are unable to read music.  It's hard to teach it, and many teachers struggle to figure out how to teach music literacy.  

I am hosting an S-Cubed Sight Singing Giveaway until April 19, 2022.  Enter here!

Join me on Facebook LIVE tomorrow (Tuesday, April 19 at 7 PM EST) for more ideas and solutions to help you and your middle school choir students.  You can drive the conversation with specific questions you need guidance on.  Anything is ok to ask!  I will also air it on Instagram live!  As always, I will offer two hour deals on my most popular S-Cubed Sight Singing Bundles, and I will offer something FREE from my store for that same time period.

Hope to "meet" you there!