This week is the first-ever day of band for my fourth graders. Yesterday was Beekman’s first rehearsal; today is Vail Farm’s. As my Beekman kids walked into the cafeteria in the morning, carrying their instruments to store on the stage, I called out to them. “Who’s excited for band?” When they called back, “I am!” I could hear the nervousness in every voice. They’re used to playing their instrument in lesson groups of four and five, not a band of fifty. I knew they were wondering whether they’ll be good enough to keep up with the group, whether I’ll be stricter with them than I am in lessons, and how loud it’s going to be.

But smiles began to bloom in the first lesson of the day, when I started handing out my special “I Heart Band” stickers. “You get to wear these all day, to show everyone that you’re band kids now,” I said. “Everyone will have them by the end of band rehearsal, so for the rest of the day you can tell which fourth graders are in band with you. You can show the whole school that you’re a band kid. And when you get home, you can show your parents.” I stuck one on my own chest. “And I get to wear one too, because even though it’s not my first day of band, I get to be there for your first day.”

That small act of inclusiveness: “You’re a band kid” “Everyone gets a sticker” felt very powerful. They were brought into a circle, adopted into a group, even if they weren’t the best players or practiced very much up until now. It didn’t matter. They were in the band.

I’ve never used the stickers before, but I’m definitely doing it again– it’s worth the $45 I paid for the roll, just to see those smiles and feel the kids’ simultaneous relief at feeling welcome.

Band rehearsal itself went very well, too. The kids were super-attentive and interested in every aspect, from how I conducted with my baton to the question I posed halfway through the rehearsal: “What is a band?” They came up with great answers, including “A group of people who work as a team to create music” and “A lot of instruments who come together and play as one.” One student even made us all laugh by saying “Mrs. Sowul’s favorite thing!” because earlier in the rehearsal I told them how much I love band rehearsal.

For the rest of the day, I could see those stickers on every kid’s shirt, and the students filtering in and out of my office for lessons were all enthusiastic. I took pride in giving them a positive first experience in band. I hope they’ll remember the day, but even if they don’t, I think they’ll remember the feeling.

I hope today’s rehearsal at Vail Farm goes as well. It’ll be more kids– 70 instead of 50– and I don’t know half of them well, because my co-teacher Renee (best teaching partner ever) teaches their lessons. I’m looking forward to getting to know them all, but meanwhile it’ll be more of a challenge to make them feel like a group. Despite that, I hope they have the same feeling when they leave rehearsal today that my Beekman kids did yesterday.

The stickers will help.