I began recorder by doing a black belt program for which the students progress through 24 songs to get 9 different belts. My first year, five students achieved a black belt and only because they came in extra times before school. In the school year (2011-2012), I changed how I prepared and taught the recorder …
Stations to Make Your Class Run Smoothly
A great mentor who I worked with my first year as a part time 2nd teacher had stations around her room at which students quickly got their materials. I loved the idea and tweaked it to work for me. I usually have my classes in 5 rows, ideally around 5 kids each, but sometimes up …
Around the World- My Theme for the Year
Every year, I come up with or borrow ideas for a theme for the year. This year, I am doing an around the world theme. I bought a map from amazon.com and plan to show the kids the map as we sing a song from another country, so they will know where the country is …
An Around the World Behavior Chart
I have been using the same behavior chart for the past 4 years. I have been having my person of the day put up tickets each time a class has a good day or does something especially well. This year, I got lazy with it and didn’t do it during class. I feel like it …
Behavior management
I am always trying to tweak my behavior management plans. In the past, I have done a combination of group rewards, where I give tickets on a chart for great things that happen, and a loose 3 warning system for individuals. Of course, with your hardest students, you try to find ways to relate to …
Master Note Reader
I have tweaked my recorder program so that it is running well and for the past five years, every 5th grader has achieved a black belt in recorder, a major accomplishment. Get my black belt program free HERE. Many have passed off 20 to 70 more songs and most are able to read notes well …
My Teacher toolbox
I really need to get organized so I don’t waste time fumbling for or looking for things. I saw a teacher toolbox on pinterest: fifth grade frenzies teacher toolbox She printed onto patterned paper. She got her Stack-22 at Lowes. I went to Home depot and found the same brand. Her box was around $16. …
I’m Floating Down the River
Every year in fourth grade, we do a song and game called “Floating Down the River”. To play the game, you all get into a circle. Everyone walks on the beat in a circle. The student who is “it” walks on the inside of the circle in the opposite direction. When you sing, “O-hi-o”, the …
