Category: Lessons

3-5, Elementary Music, Lessons

Write the Room : An Exciting Way to Write Rhythms and Melodies

redavis521

Let’s face it– if you want elementary music students to be able to read and write music, then you need to have them read and write rhythms and melodies. It can feel boring to have them read and write notes on the staff, but the good news is that it doesn’t have to be. If… Continue reading Write the Room : An Exciting Way to Write Rhythms and Melodies

3-5, Elementary Music, Lessons

Best End of Year Music Lessons for Upper Grades

redavis521

It’s here, it’s here! It’s finally here! Well…. Almost. It’s almost the end of the school year… so how do you keep kids engaged right now?! The upper grades (third grade, fourth grade, and fifth grade) can be even more difficult to make music lesson plans for, because they are older and sometimes think they… Continue reading Best End of Year Music Lessons for Upper Grades

Elementary Music, K-2, Lessons

Best Sol Mi Songs for the Elementary Music Classroom

redavis521

When it comes to teaching solfa, sol and mi is where we start. The best way to get these notes engrained in students’ heads is with sol mi songs– especially sol mi songs. Using sol mi songs allows students to have authentic musical experiences while learning their first two melodic notes. Now, by the time… Continue reading Best Sol Mi Songs for the Elementary Music Classroom

3-5, Elementary Music, Games, K-2

Best Games And Lessons To Teach Kids Solfege

redavis521

Coming up with games and lessons for solfege can seem daunting. You may feel like the only thing to do is to have students read flashcards on the screen. And while I do think there is value in that-- especially before an independent activity-- it’s not all there is to teaching solfege or melody. After… Continue reading Best Games And Lessons To Teach Kids Solfege

3-5, Elementary Music, Games, Lessons

How to Play Lucky Lemons Solfege Board Game

redavis521

Picture this: Me, teaching online for the millionth time. My students, showing up to every few classes, sometimes coming or going halfway through. It’s March and we’re STILL working on la with second grade. As we have been for weeks. I needed something new, a new solfege board game, and Lucky Lemons was the solution. … Continue reading How to Play Lucky Lemons Solfege Board Game

Elementary Music, Lessons

Best Nutcracker Elementary Music Lessons for the Holiday Season

redavis521

When it comes to December, every elementary music teacher has The Nutcracker on repeat. This is for good reason-- Tchaikovsky’s ballet is absolutely beautiful and has some incredible music. After reading this article, you’ll have 4 (new!) Nutcracker music lessons to use with your general music class. Before we get started, I wanted to mention… Continue reading Best Nutcracker Elementary Music Lessons for the Holiday Season

Elementary Music, Lessons

9 Thanksgiving Music Lessons for Elementary Music Class

redavis521

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

Books, Elementary Music, K-2, Lessons

The Best Drum Dream Girl Elementary Music Lessons

redavis521

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