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This song about a funny dancing clown is a perfect way to encourage creative movement.
November 9, 2013

Punchinello – Improvising Movement

“Punchinello, you funny fellow!”  This is a song that I do each year with my first graders because it’s so much fun and has some awesome curricular connections.  In my district, one of our first quarter curriculum goals says that first grade students are supposed to learn a song to sing […]
A perfect video to teach dynamic differences like piano and forte.
November 8, 2013

Film Friday – Teaching Piano and Forte!

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I LOVE using videos to reinforce concepts that I’m teaching in class.  Videos grab the attention of students and inspire them to look deeper and connect.  I especially love it when I can use music videos of contemporary artists to explain […]
The Big Red Sub Binder - stocked and ready to go!
November 6, 2013

2/4 Tuesday:  Substitute Planning!

I took a personal day for a doctor’s appointment last Friday and as I was preparing for the day I hit that slump of “What should I plan for this sub…  who knows if it’s going to be a music person or not…  Ugh!”  I find it really hard to […]
Pumpkin on the Vine - Perfect song for fall with ABA form!
November 5, 2013

The Pumpkin on the Vine – Identifying ABA Form

One of the things that is required in our district curriculum is teaching first graders to identify ABA form in song.  Last year I couldn’t find any songs in my Thanksgiving or Fall repertoire that I really loved that were easy for my kids to see ABA form.  So, I […]
November 1, 2013

Film Friday! – Around the World – Teaching Ostinato

  From the very first time I saw this video, I knew it would be perfect to show to students.  “Around the World” is a famous song by the band Daft Punk and this is the music video that was created to accompany the song.  The famous director/artist Michel Gondry […]
Use the instruments families to provide groups for your class. It's great for classroom management!
November 1, 2013

Instrument Families for Classroom Management

My first few years of teaching I really struggled with certain aspects of classroom management.  I was forever losing instruction time as I spent precious minutes trying to put kids into groups and organize teams for games or small group work.  And then one day I stumbled onto this idea and […]
If You're Happy And You Know It book to use in the music classroom!
October 28, 2013

If You’re Happy And You Know It! – Book Recommendation

This is a totally fun book!  I know that many students have the song “If You’re Happy and You Know It…” down pat before they even get to Kindergarten but not my students.  I have a high population of English Language Learners (often called ELLs) and most from low income […]
Music has the power to make us move! Check out this video to see how music inspired one man!
October 25, 2013

Film Friday – Nathan Barnatt dances to Pop Culture

This is a truly fantastic video that will really get your kids talking.  Nathan Barnatt is an American actor, comedian, dancer, and filmmaker who is known for his amazing dance skills.  In this video, the official music video for the mash-up hit “Pop Culture,” Nathan plays a nerdy guy who […]
Five awesome things I found on Pinterest this month!
October 24, 2013

Five Favorite Pins of October – 2013

I will admit, I spend a lot of time on Pinterest browsing ideas, getting inspiration, and seeing how other teachers decorate and plan for teaching.  Pinterest can be a really great tool to help you plan for your own classroom and inspire you to try new things.  Why not share […]
October 23, 2013

Photo Op!  — Remember the Concert

Parent communication is a constant struggle.  As a music teacher I’m not in daily contact with parents and opening that line of communication can be tricky.  Even classroom teachers, who connect with parents on a near daily basis, often have troubles communicating with some parents.  Now take that struggle and […]
Paper Snowballs are perfect for teaching stead beat (and they're free!)
October 23, 2013

Paper Snowballs – Steady Beat with K/1

I’m always on the lookout for ways to teach steady beat to my primary grades.  You can never have too many ways to reinforce this concept as students learn in so many different ways!  I borrowed this idea from my former district lead teacher and who knows if she borrowed […]
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