I have my 5 stations (see the post about them HERE). In each station is a tray for my pencils. In order to try to keep as many of my pencils in my room as possible, I put a small music note on each one. I have had pretty good success with that. I know …
Recorder: Getting Started
My recorder program, begun by my favorite mentor teacher, is based on folk songs, many that the kids have learned since they were in Kindergarten and first grade. I love how we learn the songs, play the games, learn to read and write music using them, and ultimately, play the songs on instruments. It makes …
Make Your Own Recorder Stands
My room is very small, so where to put things is a real issue for me. I liked the recorder stands that I saw in catalogs, but they were around $50 each. West Music Recorder Stand I was at a workshop and a lady had made one and was kind enough to tell me how …
Recorder Music and Materials Organization
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 …
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. …
