Using literature in your elementary music classes is a great way to get students interested in music AND reading– as well as integrate with the other subjects. What better book to use than Where the Wild Things Are? This picture book is beloved by all, and it makes a perfect book based music lesson. So…… Continue reading Where The Wild Things Are Music Lesson Ideas (with instruments!)
Category: Lessons
Using Los Pollitos Mexican Nursery Rhyme in Music Class
One of my favorite songs for younger elementary students is the Mexican nursery rhyme Los Pollitos. This adorable song is all about little chickens, and it is so cute. We use it in the Fall for Hispanic Heritage Month and in the Spring for Spring time lessons. Want some free music teacher resources? Join the… Continue reading Using Los Pollitos Mexican Nursery Rhyme in Music Class
The 11 Best Songs For Teaching Quarter Rest
It’s time to teach quarter rest, and you need quarter rest songs for preparing, presenting, and practicing rest… without letting your lessons get boring. That’s a lot of folk songs, so here are 11 of my favorite quarter rest folk songs and singing games (plus one listening activity!) for teaching rest to first or second… Continue reading The 11 Best Songs For Teaching Quarter Rest
Bow Wow Wow Singing Game for Teaching Quarter Rest
When it's time to teach quarter rest, I need folk songs-- and lots of them! Bow Wow Wow is a folk song that I use every year to teach quarter rest. It's simple, it's fun, and it has a game... or two. So let's sing and dance along with Bow Wow Wow, the song your… Continue reading Bow Wow Wow Singing Game for Teaching Quarter Rest
Different Ways to Use Bee Bee Bumblebee in Elementary Music
Happy Spring! Springtime in the music room means all the fun Spring songs– of which I have a lot– and one of my favorite Spring folk songs is the chant Bee Bee Bumblebee. I use this chant to teach rhythm with quarter and eighth notes, as well as steady beat, and I’ve also used it… Continue reading Different Ways to Use Bee Bee Bumblebee in Elementary Music
The Best St. Patrick’s Day Elementary Music Lessons
It’s Spring time, and down here in Savannah, Georgia, that means St. Patrick’s Day! I know St. Patrick’s Day is not a huge deal everywhere, but in my area, we get the day off and have a huge parade. Because it's such a big deal here, I try to add Irish music lessons to my… Continue reading The Best St. Patrick’s Day Elementary Music Lessons
Where to Find Free Elementary Music Lessons
I’ve been there. You sit down to lesson plan and it takes forever. Or you need a song or an activity to fit a class and you just can’t find one. Not only is it annoying, but it’s also time consuming! So… Where can you find free music lessons? I’m talking totally free and available… Continue reading Where to Find Free Elementary Music Lessons
How to Teach Quarter Rest in Elementary Music
Teaching elementary music can be hard. You‘ve learned your kids, you’ve done some fun things… but what do you actually say when it’s time to teach quarter rest? Don’t worry, by the end of this blog post, you’ll know exactly what to do and say to your first grade, second grade, or third graders. We're… Continue reading How to Teach Quarter Rest in Elementary Music
How to Play Closet Key Singing Game for Upper Grades
If you’re looking for a fun (calm) singing game for the upper grades in elementary music class, you need to try Coset Key. Closet Key singing game for upper elementary school is not only fun, but it can also be used to learn or practice dynamics, piano and forte, crescendo and decrescendo, do re mi,… Continue reading How to Play Closet Key Singing Game for Upper Grades
Use this (free) Jazz Musician Bracket to make your Students Fall in Love with Jazz
Did someone say free Jazz lesson? I’m listening! This free elementary music lesson is the perfect way to introduce jazz to your students, by letting them hear many different jazz musicians. They will fall in love with jazz music and jazz musicians. Use this with your upper grades to keep them engaged– even during jazz… Continue reading Use this (free) Jazz Musician Bracket to make your Students Fall in Love with Jazz