Five Favorite Pins of March – 2014
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 some of the great ideas that I found on Pinterest in the last month or so!#1 – 21 Brilliant Organization Ideas
I love the idea of a fully organized, color-coded, and finished classroom but I know that something like that takes a lot of time and effort. I love reading through blog posts like this because they give me great ideas on how to adapt organization tips for my classroom. I might not be able to do everything this teacher does, but I can incorporate some of her techniques as I work to organize instruments, resources, movement props, and a lot more!#2 – Worksheets for Listening to Music – Bundle!
This is totally on my wish list! Listening to music is such an important part of our curriculum but we so often don’t do enough of it or do it as well as we could. It’s hard to find the time to sit down and figure out how to follow up with a listening activity or how to create a worksheet/listening sheet that kids can use that makes sense. Assessment and critical thinking skills are big themes in this bundle and those are both ideas that my school wants us to focus on this year. This bundle is a lifesaver with over 30 worksheets to fit so many different needs. I’m thinking about how I’d use this in class AND how I might be able to modify some things and leave them for a sub!
#3 – Newsletter from the Specials Teachers
I think that it’s so important that we keep in contact with parents and leaders in our school community. Not only is it crucial for relationship building but it gives you a foot in the door if you end up needing help (costumes, staging, carrying stuff, parent supervision for a field trip, whatever!). Not only that, but parents want to know how and what their kid is doing. They get frequent reminders from classroom teachers about math and science and reading but a newsletter like this gives parents a look into our world! The writer of this article Mrs. Q has a great thing going with the other specialist teachers in her building as they collaborate to send out a monthly newsletter. They have it set up on a rotating basis so that one month it’s music and art in charge of sharing information and another month it’s P.E. and library. That way you’re not in charge of a whole newsletter (since you share with one of the other specialists) and maybe you don’t go every month (so even less stress!). It’s a win-win! You could do separate newsletters for each grade, though that would be lots of work, or you can do a whole school thing. Such a great idea.
I’m starting to compile some “Parents Contact” Pins, so if you see any more shoot them my way! Here’s the small list I have so far. http://www.pinterest.com/dahveed2188/teaching-parent-contact/
#4 – Instruments of the Orchestra Resources
I’m always, ALWAYS looking for good resources to help and teach the instruments of the orchestra. This pin looks so promising with seating charts, instrument information, crossword puzzles, and lots more! This collection of resources is originally geared for use with children in grades 5-7 but the files are fantastic to help you prepare to teach an instrument families unit and could be adapted for use with younger grades. Everything is free to reproduce for classroom use.#5 – Animal Themed Movement Cards
How cool are these! I love how students get the chance to use their critical thinking skills when coming up with movements. The great thing about this idea is that you give them a foundation (Lobster) but they have to make the connection to what that is, what it looks like, and what movement might go with it. It’s a great way to scaffold and give students ownership of their movement. Now, what music to pair it with…
Did I mention you can download the cards for FREE?
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