One of the most common questions that I get is, “What do I do with older elementary students?” I get it. Fourth and fifth grade students can be tough to teach elementary music. They may deem activities too childish, they are more self conscious about singing, and a million other things all contribute to them… Continue reading My Best Movement Activities for 4 and 5 Grade Music
Category: Elementary Music
Everything about teaching elementary music! Instruments, classroom management, songs, etc.
Fun and Easy Waltz Lesson for Upper Elementary Music
When it comes to listening to Classical Music, a lot of teachers groan about how difficult it is to get students actively engaged and enjoying it. Whether or not that is you, you’re in the right place! This is a lesson that I used with my 4-5 grade students to learn about the style of… Continue reading Fun and Easy Waltz Lesson for Upper Elementary Music
10 Greatest Spirituals for Elementary Music Class
Spirituals are one of my favorite styles of music to teach. I sprinkle them throughout the whole year, but this year I am doing a more intentional spiritual unit with my fourth and fifth grade music students. We will be doing some of my favorite spirituals for elementary music. Today, I’m sharing them with you!… Continue reading 10 Greatest Spirituals for Elementary Music Class
Tips to make Lesson Planning Easy (as a music teacher!)
Can I tell you a secret? I love lesson planning! I know, I know, it's crazy. So many people dread lesson planning but to be honest, it's one of my favorite things. Part of this is due to the fact that I have found ways to make lesson planning easy-- even as a music teacher… Continue reading Tips to make Lesson Planning Easy (as a music teacher!)
Exciting Chants to use in 4 and 5 Grade Music Class
Pulling teeth to get older elementary students singing? Using chants may be the way to go. Chants allow students to focus on rhythm, learn music, and not have to sing. Today, we're going over exciting chants to use in 4 and 5 grade music class. This post is especially relevant right now. I'm writing this… Continue reading Exciting Chants to use in 4 and 5 Grade Music Class
10 Best Black History Month Books for Elementary Music
If you have been around the blog, you'll know that I've been on a mission to include books into my music classes. I've done lessons with favorites like Chicka Chicka Boom Boom and Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See?, and today I am sharing some of my favorite Black History Month Books for… Continue reading 10 Best Black History Month Books for Elementary Music
The Best Music Engagement Strategies for Distance Learning
Who would have thought that we would still be dealing with distance learning in 2021? Whether you are brand new to teaching music online, or your students are losing steam because it's been so long, this post has some of the best distance learning engagement strategies. I've been teaching from home March-December. I am writing… Continue reading The Best Music Engagement Strategies for Distance Learning
Greatest Lesson Ideas For Sleigh Ride In Elementary Music
Let's go for a Sleigh Ride... This is the unofficial soundtrack to the holidays. This is a classical piece students are familiar with-- so use it to your advantage and use it in your elementary music classroom! I was in choir all through middle and high school (and college and now...). At my high school,… Continue reading Greatest Lesson Ideas For Sleigh Ride In Elementary Music
Greatest Music Activities for Hanukkah, Hanukkah (teaching half note!)
One of my new favorite December lessons is the song Hanukkah, Hanukkah. There are a lot of different music activities for Hanukkah, Hanukkah that you can do, but I have narrowed it down to a few of my favorites! When looking for holiday songs last December, I really looked for songs and lessons where students… Continue reading Greatest Music Activities for Hanukkah, Hanukkah (teaching half note!)
How to Use Boom Cards in Elementary Music
Have you ever heard of Boom cards? I learned about them in Spring of 2020, although, if we're honest, I did NOT have the brain space to think about them because..... #corona Later that summer, though, I investigated Boom cards, and I'm in love! Using boom cards in elementary music has been so great for… Continue reading How to Use Boom Cards in Elementary Music