When it comes to December in the music room, it’s important to come up with holiday music lessons for all of your students, and to showcase different groups of people. One of the ways that you can do that is with songs for Hanukkah! Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday at the end of November or… Continue reading The Best Folk Songs for Hanukkah Elementary Music Lessons
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9 Thanksgiving Music Lessons for Elementary Music Class
With all of the holidays that happen at the end of the year, I have to say, Thanksgiving definitely gets looked over. The fact that the stores were already covered in Christmas decor by mid-October suggest that. In my elementary music lessons, I definitely look over Thanksgiving. I see my students for a week at… Continue reading 9 Thanksgiving Music Lessons for Elementary Music Class
The Best Drum Dream Girl Elementary Music Lessons
I am always looking for books to incorporate into my elementary music classes. I found Drum Dream Girl by Margarita Engle by accident one day-- I think that it was on display in our library. As soon as I picked it up, I knew it was a gem. Since then, I’ve used it many different… Continue reading The Best Drum Dream Girl Elementary Music Lessons
Favorite Folk Songs for Hispanic Heritage Month
One of my favorite things about music is that it can transport you all around the world and help you to learn about different cultures. We are always striving to do this in my elementary music classroom. Although I use songs from different cultures all year round, I love any excuse to highlight a culture!… Continue reading Favorite Folk Songs for Hispanic Heritage Month
How to Teach Melody in Elementary Music
I have a theory that most music teachers feel more comfortable teaching either melody or rhythm. They seem similar, but they are completely different. I, for example, find rhythm so much easier to teach. Other elementary music teachers find it the opposite. Because I had a harder time with melody, I really had to work… Continue reading How to Teach Melody in Elementary Music
How to Teach Rhythm in Elementary Music
If you are a new elementary music teacher, chances are one of the first things you want to teach is rhythm. But you can’t use the same method as your music theory teacher used in college-- I mean, these are five year olds! So how do you ACTUALLY teach rhythm in elementary music? It’s part… Continue reading How to Teach Rhythm in Elementary Music
What do I teach in elementary music?
If you’re a first year elementary music teacher, you are probably wondering one big question: What do I actually teach?! Of course, you know that you need to teach rhythm and melody but… What else? What rhythms? What melodies? What other things? In what order? In this blog post, we’re going to talk all about… Continue reading What do I teach in elementary music?
4 Most Helpful Tips for the Beginning of the Year in Elementary Music
Have you ever heard someone say teachers don't smile until Christmas? Well, don't fall for it. But they say that because the beginning of the year is the most important part-- it sets the tone for the rest of the year. I would venture to say the first few weeks of elementary music are the… Continue reading 4 Most Helpful Tips for the Beginning of the Year in Elementary Music
Ocean Themed Folk Songs and Ocean Animal Composition Activities
Maybe it's because I live in Savannah, Georgia (on the coast), but I love including ocean themed folk songs, listening activities, and lessons in my elementary music classroom. Every culture around the world has water-themed songs, and most also have ocean songs, which make it a great place to start including pieces from around the… Continue reading Ocean Themed Folk Songs and Ocean Animal Composition Activities
Helpful Tips for First Year Elementary Music Teachers
If you’re reading this, chances are you are a first year elementary music teacher-- or about to become one. You probably just got hired, and you are so excited. But…. Also a little bit scared. Don’t worry-- all first year elementary music teachers feel scared, anxious, and overwhelmed. All first year teachers feel that way.… Continue reading Helpful Tips for First Year Elementary Music Teachers