So I started my TPT shop in September. So when it came to Christmas, I said, “I’m only going to make one or two Christmas products.” Then I made five. Three of them are from my classroom, so it’s not as bad as it sounds. Then I said, I’m not going to make any more… Continue reading Christmas Tree Hunt and Music Charades
When it comes to rhythm, especially in the younger grades, some things are easier to teach than others. Making rhythms that match songs– easy. Repeating rhythms– easy. Even reading rhythms– easy. But what about improvisation and composition? That’s a little harder. I talked about improvisation and how I set that up in my Rain v.… Continue reading Christmas Rhythm Composition with K-1
Ah, Christmas. So many songs, so little time. Every year I feel like I cannot narrow down how many songs I want to do. How do you get to them all? Anyway, my fourth and fifth graders are in the middle of a huge recorder unit, and I did not want to put that on… Continue reading Christmas Music Lesson: 12 Days of Christmas
Are you looking for some really fun Christmas lessons? I feel like I am always looking for ideas, and I have a hard time narrowing down the amount of songs that are available for the holidays. I was looking for a song that was common enough that I wanted all of my students to know,… Continue reading Music Christmas Game: Oh Christmas Tree
Let’s be honest: I have a hard time teaching Children’s Church on Christmas and Easter. The Christmas lesson is particularly difficult. Yes, I guess it should be the easiest days to teach. But it is not. It is difficult because all of my kids know the Christmas story and the Easter story. My group is 10-15… Continue reading Children’s Church Christmas Lesson for Kids Who Know the Christmas Story
If you are a Children’s Church or Sunday School teacher, chances are, you have been asked (or for some reason come up with the idea on your own) to have a Christmas program. This means different things to different churches. In some churches, Christmas programs are a huge, spectacular deal. In others, it means the… Continue reading Church Christmas Program: What do I Choose?
Recently, I asked for questions on Instagram (@beccasmusicroom), and many people asked a variation of, “How do we play more instruments in elementary music class?!” I was so relieved to get that question, because for years, I have been wondering this question and thinking that I was alone in having a hard time with adding… Continue reading Easy Ways to Add More Instruments to Elementary Music Lessons
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
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?! In this blog post, we’re talking about end of the year music lessons for lower grades– K-2. These lesson focus on activities that are fun and engaging, but also… Continue reading End of Year Music Lessons for Lower Grades
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
