Every year in 4th grade, we do a very fun activity that the students love. I got the idea from my favorite mentor. There is so much to learn from this activity and it is a huge hit. PLAYING THE GAME We sing the song, “Oranges and Lemons” and play the game by getting into …
Growth Mindset in the Music Classroom
Growth Mindset is on my mind lately. Our principal has been emphasizing that we help kids think of working the process, getting better, and improving. Growth Mindset at my School As a group, our teachers came up with ideas that go along with the letters in our mascot name. I made separate 8 1/2 inch …
#whyiteachmusic: Great Stories that Motivate
I was part of a blog hop last week where people wrote stories of why they teach music. I was so fun to read the stories on my blog post and the other 7 bloggers. I’d like to share some of my favorite comments. Read to the end to see the giveaway winners. I choose …
Why I Teach Music Blog Hop and Giveaway
I’m teaming up with other music education bloggers to spread some positive thoughts this week, and I’d love for you to join with us! Many of us are very stressed right now for many reasons. We want to give you some encouragement and reasons to be optimistic about your job. We plan to make it …
Ideas For Getting Your Students’ Attention
“Buzz Feed” had a fun post about how to get students’ attention in class and I wanted to tell you about ways I get my students’ attention. I do the power teaching idea of using “Class Class” with the kids replying “Yes, Yes” but I have them sing it. I vary the way I sing …
Make Your Own Non-Candy Classroom Rewards
A few years ago, I got this idea for classroom rewards and have been saving leftover crayons. At the end of last school year, our district came down with a new rule that said we can no longer give out any candy. I suddenly got motivated to put my plan in place and made these …
Taking My Travels Back to the Students: Canoe Song and Land of the Silver Birch
Land of the Silver Birch In third grade every year, my district colleagues and I introduce two songs that quickly become school favorites, the “Canoe Song” (Also called My Paddle) and “Land of the Silver Birch”. Once taught, they instantly become favorite songs. We teach “Land of the Silver Birch” first. The students learn how …
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Summer Tips for Making Your Next School Year Easier
Once the school year starts, it feels like a sprint where I can hardly catch my breath. Whatever new organization or ideas I plan to use must be thought of before I start the year, but I also need to take plenty of time to renew my batteries for the next year. I have written …
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Music Education Blog Carnival
I am excited to be the host of the blog carnival with great posts from April. First, check out my friend Shelley’s post about Music Teacher First Year Flashbacks. She will be doing a series of posts about how she and other teachers did their first year of teaching. I also linked with Shelley to tell …
Best End of the Year Lessons: Juba and Folk Instruments
Every year, at the end of the year, when my sixth graders are ready to be done with elementary school, and when they are on the verge of not listening anymore, I get out my folk instruments. We learn Juba, a song about how the slaves would get the leftover scraps to …
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