Have you ever had a group of fifth graders say, "Opera is so much fun!"? No? Well I have! And it was a direct result of the lessons that we are going to talk about today. I've taught opera to my younger students (K-2), and this year I decided to try it with my fourth… Continue reading 4 Exciting Ways to Teach Les Toreadores from the Opera Carmen
Category: Lessons
My Best Movement Activities for 4 and 5 Grade Music
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
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
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
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
Exciting and Effective Ways to Play Four Corners from 6 Feet Away or Virtual (in music class!)
I was talking with one of the Children's Church teachers at church this week, and she told me, "No matter what fun, creative games I come up with, the kids just want to play four corners." Four Corners is a super simple, super fun game, and I have adapted it a few ways to work… Continue reading Exciting and Effective Ways to Play Four Corners from 6 Feet Away or Virtual (in music class!)
How to do Candy Bar Composition for Halloween Fun
Halloween…. A teacher’s nightmare…. When it comes to Halloween/Halloween time, I try to “harness the power of the candy” instead of trying to get kids to sit still. I do that in two ways: I either do movement activities, or we do centers. One center activity that I like to do is candy bar composition.… Continue reading How to do Candy Bar Composition for Halloween Fun