When all of this distance learning stuff began, I was STRUGGLING to figure out what to do with my students on Zoom music lessons. How can I teach elementary music on Zoom? The sound lag made it impossible to sing or play rhythms together. Fortunately for you, I have now figured out a couple of… Continue reading Fun Zoom Music Lessons for Distance Learning
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What to do when the Lesson Plan Goes off the Rails….
Ah, teaching. Probably the only profession in which you are expected to write detailed plans, turn them in and then stick to the exactly. As if you could ever plan what 30 five years olds are going to do or say or understand. We aren't taught to adjust things as we go along, even though… Continue reading What to do when the Lesson Plan Goes off the Rails….
Card System for Classroom Management
In my classroom, I focus highly on PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention System). But let's be honest-- no matter how many class points or Dojos are given, all kids are still going to act up. And that is why I now use the card system. So when you are thinking about classroom management in your own… Continue reading Card System for Classroom Management
Christmas Tree Hunt and Music Charades
So I started my TPT shop in September. So when it came to Christmas, I said, "I'm only going to make one or two Christmas products." Then I made five. Three of them are from my classroom, so it's not as bad as it sounds. Then I said, I'm not going to make any more… Continue reading Christmas Tree Hunt and Music Charades
Music Teachers’ Guide to Self Care During the Holidays
The Holiday season is the best time of the year. Everyone is a little happier and gives a little bit more. It's full of sparkle and music and peppermint everything. But everyone knows the Holidays can get stressful. That is even more true when you are a music teacher. If you are not careful, music… Continue reading Music Teachers’ Guide to Self Care During the Holidays
Im Herbst Fall Listening Lesson for Timbre
I have a really funky schedule for when I see my students-- I see them everyday (well, let's be honest, four days) for a week, and then I see a new set of students next week. A lot of interesting things have occurred because of that schedule-- Mondays are really tough, but behavior has improved,… Continue reading Im Herbst Fall Listening Lesson for Timbre
Fall Music Center Activities
Last week, we talked all about the ins and outs of centers in the elementary music room (Check it out here!) This week, I am sharing some fun (and easy!) centers activities that are all Fall music center activities-- because themes make everything better, right? These are just a couple of ideas, definitely not an… Continue reading Fall Music Center Activities
Centers in the Elementary Music Room
Centers are definitely the trend in education right now. There are a ton of benefits to having centers-- they can be easily differentiated, you can work with students in smaller groups, which means they get more attention, and hypothetically students should be engaged because there are many different things that they get to do. That's… Continue reading Centers in the Elementary Music Room
Feed the Monster Rhythm Game (for Centers!)
Rhythms centers can be really fun.. or really boring, depending on how you handle them. My kids always love them, because I try to include at least one game. Now, I love to stick to crowd favorites, like Kaboom! (seriously, they are disappointed it we don't play this one!) or Go Fish (yes, even my… Continue reading Feed the Monster Rhythm Game (for Centers!)
5 Things that Happened when I put 4th Graders in 5th Grade Choir
When I first started teaching elementary music, I was SO excited to start my 5th grade choir. I had been in choirs for years and I loved it, and I knew that my students would love it to. No, of course, I had no idea what I was doing, but it was great anyway. We… Continue reading 5 Things that Happened when I put 4th Graders in 5th Grade Choir