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 …
Taking My Travels Back to the Students: Canoe Song and Land of the Silver BirchRead More
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 …
Summer Tips for Making Your Next School Year EasierRead More
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 …
Best End of the Year Lessons: Juba and Folk InstrumentsRead More
Music First Year Teacher Flashback
I’m teaming up with Shelly at Pitch Publications for a First Year Flash Back. We will have several posts on this topic to give beginning teachers some tips. 1. What subject/age and where were you teaching? I really have two first years. I taught high school band many years ago and started teaching elementary school …
