Since I started teaching, I have wanted to incorporate more books into my lessons, but I had two problems: 1. I didn't have many books and 2. I didn't know what to do with them. Over the past few months, I have been working to remedy #1, and not I am working on #2-- figuring… Continue reading Chicka Chicka Boom Boom: Beat and rhythm lesson
Tag: elementary music lesson
Instruments of the Orchestra Four Corners
I don't quite remember when it hit me, but for a long time I have thought that I wanted to do the game 4 Corners with the instruments of the orchestra. I even put it in my lesson plans a few times and took it out. Why? Because I couldn't figure out how to make… Continue reading Instruments of the Orchestra Four Corners
Lesson Ideas for Ickle Ockle
Have you heard of the song Ickle Ockle? It is a really fun folk song... with like 20 different versions of it in cyberspace. I have seen it as Bickle Bockle, with do, without do, different wording.... yeah. But, no matter how you sing it, it is a really fun folk song and my students… Continue reading Lesson Ideas for Ickle Ockle
Write the Room: An active instruments review
Ever since the huge push on teachers having data based instruction, I have felt the pressure of pretests. I am pretty good with grouping students (see here!) based on data from assignments, but I still have a hard time giving kids true pretests-- I mean, giving them a test they are basically supposed to fail?… Continue reading Write the Room: An active instruments review
Super Simple Differentiation through Music Centers
Super Simple Differentiation through Music Centers. Looking for a way to help students who are struggling with rhythm? Or push students who are ahead of the rest? This differentiation guides helps you find easy ways to makes your elementary music lessons more or less complex to accommodate a variety of learners! Becca's Music Room
I Know a Shy Fellow Who Swallowed a Cello
Most music teachers include lots of books in their elementary music classes. I see this all the time on social media, in trainings, and in classrooms. But can I admit something to you? When I was first starting out, I felt like i was very unclear as to HOW to go about incorporating books. Like--… Continue reading I Know a Shy Fellow Who Swallowed a Cello
Irish Music Lesson for St. Patrick’s Day
Is St. Patrick's Day a big deal where you live? It is one of those holidays that either your city takes very seriously, or no one cares. Here in Savannah, we take it very seriously. We actually have the third largest St. Patrick's ay parade in the US-- yes, right here in South Georgia! I… Continue reading Irish Music Lesson for St. Patrick’s Day
Favorite Activities for Piano and Forte
Teaching piano and forte is really fun. I know that may seem like a weird comment, but it is true. I have a lot of fun teaching piano and forte. I think this is because there are just so many different things that you can do with it-- and it is so different from teaching… Continue reading Favorite Activities for Piano and Forte
Monkey Game for Crescendos and Decrescendos
Is there a game at your school that your students beg to play? Like all of the time? That's the Monkey Game for me. I know that it teaches piano and forte to the littles and crescendos and decrescendos to the older students, but they do not care. They want to play it all the… Continue reading Monkey Game for Crescendos and Decrescendos
Music Lesson: Piano and Forte with Bears and Mice
While lesson planning, I kept finding all of these songs about bears. And I thought, I should do a bear unit. One of my top ideas was to sing and play the song Grizzly Bear. If you have been around Pinterest or any music blog, you will find people playing and singing Grizzly Bear to… Continue reading Music Lesson: Piano and Forte with Bears and Mice