Elementary Music, Folk songs, Games

How to Play Pass the Pumpkin Halloween Singing Game

Looking for a not-so-spooky Halloween song that your kids will love? I’ve got you covered! Pass the Pumpkin is a fun singing game to practice quarter notes, eighth notes, and rest or songs in a minor key. It’s perfect for October, but it’s not specifically “Halloween”, so if you are trying not to be overtly… Continue reading How to Play Pass the Pumpkin Halloween Singing Game

Elementary Music, Folk songs, Hispanic music lessons

Quien es esa Gente? Hispanic folk song for sol and mi

Quien es esa gente is probably my second graders’ all time favorite songs– they are obsessed! It comes with a fun singing game (ok, I made up the game, but you can steal it!), it teaches la or quarter rest, and it’s in Spanish. That makes it perfect for Hispanic Heritage Month, but we use… Continue reading Quien es esa Gente? Hispanic folk song for sol and mi

Centers, Elementary Music, Games

How to Play Shark Attack! Rhythm game for elementary music class

You’re doing centers. You’re practicing rhythm. But you’re running out of fun activities to do in centers. Don’t worry, I’ve got you. You need Shark Attack! This fun card game is the perfect way to practice reading rhythms in elementary music class, and the shark theme makes it extra fun.  This rhythm game comes in… Continue reading How to Play Shark Attack! Rhythm game for elementary music class

Elementary Music

5 Simple and Fun Japanese Folk Songs for Elementary Music Class

In my elementary music classroom, we love to sing songs and learn about music from all around the world. In this blog post, I’m sharing 5 folk songs from Japan that you can use in elementary music.  Want some free music teacher resources? Join the FREE Resource Library! After joining, you’ll get access to a… Continue reading 5 Simple and Fun Japanese Folk Songs for Elementary Music Class

Elementary Music

Quiet Music Lessons for Teaching During Testing Season

It’s almost time for standardized testing, which means we are entering into the season that music teachers hate the most: Quiet music lesson season. If you’re stuck and looking for easy and fun music lessons that are also quiet, then you’re in the right place. By the end of this blog post, you’ll have 8… Continue reading Quiet Music Lessons for Teaching During Testing Season

Elementary Music

Tips for Making Teaching Music on a Cart Easy

Music teachers deal with a lot of things, including teaching on a cart. This is when you are banished to the teachers’ classrooms, forced to wheel around on a rolly cart. It can be frustrating, it can be challenging, but it’s not impossible.  As someone who has spent more than her fair share of days… Continue reading Tips for Making Teaching Music on a Cart Easy

Centers, Elementary Music

My All Time Favorite Rhythm Centers

When it comes to teaching elementary music, I love to use centers to practice different concepts in a fun, kid centered way. In this blog post, we’re talking all about my favorite rhythm centers you can use in your classroom.  If you want even more ideas, you can start by downloading The Ultimate Centers Ideas… Continue reading My All Time Favorite Rhythm Centers

Elementary Music, K-2, Lessons, Listening lessons

Teaching Quarter Rest with Beethoven’s 7th Symphony

If you’re looking to spice up your quarter rest lessons, then add some listening lessons! We tend to focus on singing when it comes to teaching new concepts, but there are also classical pieces that include elements that we teach in elementary music. This lesson, quarter rest with Beethoven, includes movement, instruments, and introducing quarter… Continue reading Teaching Quarter Rest with Beethoven’s 7th Symphony