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 even better by having a giveaway of some fun goodies too!
I loved playing the French Horn and being in concert and marching band in school. I went into music teaching because of my love of music.
For many years, after I got my bachelor’s degree and master’s degree, I taught toddlers and their parents in classes. I loved how I could have such a great influence on those young developing minds by including parents.
9 years ago, I went to a Kodaly certification course and was so inspired that I began teaching elementary music. I love how I get to teach every child in the school for years and I love seeing them find joy in the music. I especially love when one of my kindergarteners or first graders find their in tune singing voice and the whole class cheers. The delight on their face is priceless.
I will never forget one of my students who came to my school as a kindergartener and refused to sing. It was a special challenge to get him singing at all, much less on pitch. I remember him singing a solo last year as a 4th grader and us talking about how he had become a songbird. The student and I got a great chuckle about it.
I have so much fun using my “Magic Mike” bubble microphones (see pictures below) that I am giving a set away in the giveaway. My kids LOVE choosing their favorite color and singing hello back to me. Read more about how I use them and how I get students to sing on pitch HERE.
Enter the giveaway and get many chances to win by:
1. Comment on the blog posts that will come out every day this week. (see links in the rafflecopter below)
2. Share your own inspiration about why you teach music on any social media, with the hashtag #whyiteachmusic plus a link to this blog post. Share this link
3. Share new blog posts every day to have more chances.
Ideas For Getting Your Students’ Attention
I didn't know that you played the french horn! And what an awesome story about your student who discovered his love of singing through your teaching- those are the memories we cherish the most! Thank you so much for sharing #whyiteachmusic . Those microphones look like the perfect way to get kids motivated to sing! 🙂
Thanks for reading! We are having so much fun this week with those microphones!
Those microphones look like fun!! I loved upir story about your non-singer. I had a little boy just this week who discovered he is a good singer and now sings all songs as loudly as possible!! So funny and very sweet to see! Great post!
The kids really do love them!
I was a french horn player in college, too! I haven't been brave enough to start a mommie & kids class, but I'm thinking that could be a great "after retirement from public school" job! Thanks for sharing!
That is awesome! I loved my mommy and me classes! I miss them!
It was my love of early childhood music that launched me into music education! Seeing how musical little ones are is such an inspiration!
They ARE so musical, and we get to bring it out of them! Thanks for reading!
The magic mic's are just the best idea I've seen–I definitely need some of those!
Thanks for reading!
I've been using the largest mallet in my classroom as my FAKE-O-PHONE and my kids all want to sing into it. I can only imagine how wild they would go for these.
I was a choral singer and pianist who wanted to be a composer. Found my way into education and never looked back.
Fake-o-phone! I love it! Haha! Thanks for reading. So glad you are a music educator!
Thank you so much for sharing your story! The story about the 4th grade soloist gives me hope- I have a few students that are selective mutes that I am currently teaching.
I've actually had 2 selective mutes. I let one of them be in choir, even though she never spoke. After about a year, she is now speaking and singing and her mother credits choir as part of the reason.
Those mica are cool! Great idea! I just love children and music, so this has been a welcome career choice for me!
Those kids are lucky to have you! Thanks for reading!
I always knew I'd be a teacher, then I discovered making music… I'm so grateful to have a career that I love!
I am so glad those kids have you! Thanks for reading!
I am so happy to see other Kodaly enthusiasts! I took level 1 this summer and it has made such a huge difference in my teaching and in my students' learning! I teach music because my music teacher believed in me when I did not believe in myself. I love seeing my students when the lightbulb that goes on in their eyes when they master a new concept. My kiddos feel so proud and accomplished when they do something they could not do before
I love hearing how a music teacher made a difference in your life!
I've had some similar experiences of students refusing to sing in kdgn, graduated to a whisper in my ear in first grade, gradually making progress to singing. A couple of twins that started their journey in kdgn grew to audition and sing beautifully in a 4th grade community children's choir. All the individual journeys create special rewards for me.
It is the best when you inspire kids like that!