Elementary Music, Management

Elementary Music Classroom Management for Instruments

Elementary music can be so much fun– or it can give you a giant headache. Seriously, it gets loud– especially when you are using instruments. So how do you handle classroom management for instruments? Is it possible to have a chaos free classroom when you are using instruments? The short answer? Yes.  The longer answer… Continue reading Elementary Music Classroom Management for Instruments

Centers, Management

Music Classroom Management for Centers to Calm the Chaos

Elementary music centers are one of the best things to ever happen to my music room, but they can be tricky. Classroom management in centers is completely different than classroom management in whole group situations, because the kids are working independently. There are a lot of things going on at the same time, and it… Continue reading Music Classroom Management for Centers to Calm the Chaos

Elementary Music, Management

The Best Classroom Management Tools (that you already have!)

When it comes to teaching.... There's a lot going on. So if there is anything that I can use that will help my day run more smoothly, I am going to take it. In this post, I’m sharing some of the classroom management tools that help my day go more smoothly– and most of these… Continue reading The Best Classroom Management Tools (that you already have!)

Elementary Music, Management

Classroom Management for Elementary Music Teachers

Classroom management is a term used to describe keeping a classroom full of children functioning throughout the day. This includes all of the rituals, routines, structure, and more that allows you to keep your classroom running. But classroom management for elementary music teachers is a a little bit different than for classroom teachers, so after… Continue reading Classroom Management for Elementary Music Teachers

Elementary Music, Management

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

Elementary Music, Management

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….

Elementary Music, Management

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

Elementary Music, Management

What do I do with fifth graders? Classroom Management

Ah, fifth graders. What will we ever do with them? Last week we talked about what to do with fifth graders in the elementary music room as far as lessons go. Check it out here. Today we are talking about dealing with behavior in fifth graders. Because we all know that no learning can happen… Continue reading What do I do with fifth graders? Classroom Management

Elementary Music, Management, PBIS

Positive Reinforcements that won’t Break the Bank

PBIS. If you have read my blog for more than five minutes, you know that I love PBIS. And I use it. A lot. Why? Because positive reinforcements work. That doesn’t mean that you don’t address when students are doing something wrong. It just means that you make a big deal about the students doing… Continue reading Positive Reinforcements that won’t Break the Bank