I love teaching music to kids! Make Moments Matter – A Music Education Podcast is the most recent attempt to share ideas, connect with other educators, and talk about what it’s really like to teach music to children. You can find new episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or wherever you stream podcasts!
Below you’ll find a short synopsis about each episode I’ve published so far as well as links/notes for the episode. If you have questions or comments I’d love to hear them! Shoot me an email at MakeMomentsMatter@gmail.com. Don’t forget to share and rate the podcast in Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen. This helps others find the podcast and join the community!
Scroll down to see all the episodes starting with the most recent.
In this episode I’m talking with Andrew Ellingsen about Orff Schulwerk and Kodály-inspired teaching. We talk about the similarities, differences, application of each teaching approach, teacher education levels training, and a lot more. Resources mentioned in the podcast: Orff and Kodaly Adapted for the Elementary School: https://amzn.to/2F8ms2s Organization of American Kodály Educator Website: https://www.oake.org/ American Orff Schulwerk Association Website: http://AOSA.org
This episode of the podcast is a replay containing the audio version of the Musical Monday LIVE video recorded on 3/6/23. This week I shared about how I used a “challenge rhythm” at the beginning of class for grades 1-5 to focus the lesson and bring in new concepts. If you’re not familiar with musical Mondays, every Monday night at 8 p.m. Eastern time I go live on Facebook and Instagram to share about the lessons that I’m using in class with my students. I give a recap of my K-5 lessons and then do a deep dive about one grade level and share the books, instruments, songs, and process that I use to teach the lesson to kids. This podcast episode contains all the audio from the Musical Monday video, but if you’d like to see a replay of the video itself you can follow this link to the archived…Read More
In this episode I’m talking with Lorelei Batisla-ong about Orff Schulwerk. In our conversation we talk primarily about how the ukulele can be introduced using the Orff approach and some tips, tricks, and lesson ideas for incorporating ukulele into your lessons. Resources mentioned in the podcast: AOSA Music Advocacy Resources: http://aosa.org/resources/advocacy/ Ukulele Underground: http://bit.ly/2vfXf6u Amazing Slow Downer App: http://bit.ly/3Eih1zs Ukulele Companion App: https://apple.co/2IXigEZ American Orff Schulwerk Association Website: http://AOSA.org
This episode of the podcast is a replay containing the audio version of the Musical Monday LIVE video recorded on 2/27/23. This week I shared how I planned, prepped, and pulled off my recent second grade concert themed around food! If you’re not familiar with musical Mondays, every Monday night at 8 p.m. Eastern time I go live on Facebook and Instagram to share about the lessons that I’m using in class with my students. I give a recap of my K-5 lessons and then do a deep dive about one grade level and share the books, instruments, songs, and process that I use to teach the lesson to kids. This podcast episode contains all the audio from the Musical Monday video, but if you’d like to see a replay of the video itself you can follow this link to the archived video on YouTube. Click here to see the Musical Mondays…Read More
In this episode I’m talking with Laura Bercaw Petersen about Orff Schulwerk. In our conversation we talk primarily about how movement and dance function as a part of the Orff approach and ways that you can incorporate movement into your lessons. Resources mentioned in the podcast: General Orff Schulwerk Books — The Schulwerk (Orff): https://amzn.to/2GG2PEJ Elementaria (Keetman): https://amzn.to/2IBW4QE Discovering Orff (Frazee): https://amzn.to/2GL3alt Exploring Orff (Steen): https://amzn.to/2H3T9mO Play, Sing & Dance: An Introduction to Orff Schulwerk (Goodkin): https://amzn.to/2IDC2pd Movement Books — Creative Dance For All Ages (Gilbert): https://amzn.to/2GHTEDP New England Dance Masters Search: http://bit.ly/2HmIIsk Shenanigans Resources Search: http://bit.ly/2JtPwop Lesson Plans for Creative Dance (Carline): https://amzn.to/2ICuxyE Teaching Movement & Dance (Weikart): https://amzn.to/2GIZGQk American Orff Schulwerk Association Website: http://AOSA.org
This episode of the podcast is a replay containing the audio version of the Musical Monday LIVE video recorded on 2/20/23. This week I shared some ideas about how to interview for a job, sample questions you might be asked, and things to consider asking your interviewer! If you’re not familiar with musical Mondays, every Monday night at 8 p.m. Eastern time I go live on Facebook and Instagram to share about the lessons that I’m using in class with my students. I give a recap of my K-5 lessons and then do a deep dive about one grade level and share the books, instruments, songs, and process that I use to teach the lesson to kids. This podcast episode contains all the audio from the Musical Monday video, but if you’d like to see a replay of the video itself you can follow this link to the archived video on…Read More
In this episode I’m talking with Karen Petty about the world of Orff Schulwerk. We talk about how to get kids started on the instruments, mallet exploration, recorder tidbits, some movement ideas, teacher education levels, and a lot more. Resources mentioned in the podcast: Teacher Education “Levels” Courses Directory: http://bit.ly/2uIRJJk Three to Get Ready for Recorder: http://bit.ly/2Jg4FcZ Hot Jams: https://amzn.to/2GRY7Ty Recorder Routes: https://amzn.to/2pEcHnL Recorder Revolutions: http://bit.ly/2H70nEf American Orff Schulwerk Association Website: http://AOSA.org
This episode of the podcast is a replay containing the audio version of the Musical Monday LIVE video recorded on 2/13/23. This week I shared some ideas about how to look for jobs, network with colleagues, and set up a portfolio to share with potential employers. If you’re not familiar with musical Mondays, every Monday night at 8 p.m. Eastern time I go live on Facebook and Instagram to share about the lessons that I’m using in class with my students. I give a recap of my K-5 lessons and then do a deep dive about one grade level and share the books, instruments, songs, and process that I use to teach the lesson to kids. This podcast episode contains all the audio from the Musical Monday video, but if you’d like to see a replay of the video itself you can follow this link to the archived video on YouTube. Click…Read More
In this episode I’m talking with Josh Southard about the world of Orff Schulwerk and the instruments often used in Orff classrooms. We talk about how to get kids started on the instruments, pitched percussion exploration, instrument tips and tricks, how many/what kind of instruments to purchase, some instrument care ideas, and lots more! Resources mentioned in the podcast: Teaching With Orff: http://bit.ly/2pVegxK Instrument Repair Hospital with Lissa Ray: http://bit.ly/2uzSNPX Smoky Row Elementary Music Website: http://www.smokyrowmusicroom.org/ American Orff Schulwerk Association Website: http://AOSA.org
This episode of the podcast is a replay containing the audio version of the Musical Monday LIVE video recorded on 2/6/23. This week I shared about the dance “Pata Pata” and how to teach students to look for similarities and differences. If you’re not familiar with musical Mondays, every Monday night at 8 p.m. Eastern time I go live on Facebook and Instagram to share about the lessons that I’m using in class with my students. I give a recap of my K-5 lessons and then do a deep dive about one grade level and share the books, instruments, songs, and process that I use to teach the lesson to kids. This podcast episode contains all the audio from the Musical Monday video, but if you’d like to see a replay of the video itself you can follow this link to the archived video on YouTube. Click here to see the…Read More
In this episode I get a chance to discuss everything recorder with my friend Natasha Thurmon. In this conversation we talk primarily about ways to approach teaching the recorder, some common practices, resources to consider, and more! Resources mentioned in this podcast: Music For Children CD Recordings (English): https://amzn.to/2pDMzJD Musica Poetica CD Recordings (German): http://bit.ly/2DSllU0 Recorder Resources: Recorder Routes (Carol King): https://amzn.to/2pEcHnL Recorder Improvisation & Technique Bk 1 (Isabel McNeill Carley) : https://amzn.to/2DSlPJO Music for Children Vol. 1 (Orff & Keetman): https://amzn.to/2GavH3o American Orff Schulwerk Association Website: www.AOSA.org
This episode of the podcast is a replay containing the audio version of the Musical Monday LIVE video recorded on 1/30/23. This week I shared about how to use visual aids to help students understand melodies and song form. If you’re not familiar with musical Mondays, every Monday night at 8 p.m. Eastern time I go live on Facebook and Instagram to share about the lessons that I’m using in class with my students. I give a recap of my K-5 lessons and then do a deep dive about one grade level and share the books, instruments, songs, and process that I use to teach the lesson to kids. This podcast episode contains all the audio from the Musical Monday video, but if you’d like to see a replay of the video itself you can follow this link to the archived video on YouTube. Click here to see the Musical Mondays…Read More
In this episode I’m talking with Beth Melin Nelson about Orff Schulwerk. In our conversation we talk primarily about how movement and dance function as a part of the Orff approach and ways that you can incorporate movement into your lessons. I had a spelling error while recording the podcast so please see corrected hashtags to follow below! Also know that since 2018 many educators have stopped using the word “posse” and the AOSA hashtag has been changed from #OrffPosse to #OrffFam Resources mentioned in the podcast: American Orff Schulwerk Association Website: www.AOSA.org David’s Twitter: @MakeMomentsMatt AOSA Twitter: @AOSA1968 Popular hashtags to follow #OrffSchulwerk #Orff #OrffFam #elmusiced #musiced #musiceducation
This episode of the podcast is a replay containing the audio version of the Musical Monday LIVE video recorded on 1/23/23. This week I shared about how to create rhythmic poems and body percussion pieces to go along with books. If you’re not familiar with musical Mondays, every Monday night at 8 p.m. Eastern time I go live on Facebook and Instagram to share about the lessons that I’m using in class with my students. I give a recap of my K-5 lessons and then do a deep dive about one grade level and share the books, instruments, songs, and process that I use to teach the lesson to kids. This podcast episode contains all the audio from the Musical Monday video, but if you’d like to see a replay of the video itself you can follow this link to the archived video on YouTube. Click here to see the Musical…Read More
What does it mean to be an “Orff teacher,” how can you include pitched and nonpitched instruments into lessons, what are tips for teaching recorder, how about ideas about teaching on a cart? I thought it would be fun to revisit a series of conversations I had with Orff specialists from 2018 where I explore those exact questions! In this encore episode, I’m talking with Jennifer Donovan about the world of Orff Schulwerk. Resources mentioned in the podcast: Windsongs Series Recorder Books: http://bit.ly/2FRbNO8 Chris Judah-Lauder Recorder Games: http://bit.ly/2pg2Wvh Everyday Recorder: Recorder Everyday: http://bit.ly/2FzgFIp
This episode of the podcast is a replay containing the audio version of the Musical Monday LIVE video recorded on 1/16/23. This week I shared about how to find, choose, and use children’s books in your classroom. If you’re not familiar with musical Mondays, every Monday night at 8 p.m. Eastern time I go live on Facebook and Instagram to share about the lessons that I’m using in class with my students. I give a recap of my K-5 lessons and then do a deep dive about one grade level and share the books, instruments, songs, and process that I use to teach the lesson to kids. This podcast episode contains all the audio from the Musical Monday video, but if you’d like to see a replay of the video itself you can follow this link to the archived video on YouTube. Click here to see the Musical Mondays LIVE recap page…Read More
Have you ever wondered, “What is Orff Schulwerk? Should I do the summer training? How can I get started?” I thought it would be fun to revisit a series of conversations I had with Orff specialists from 2018 where I explore those exact questions! In this encore episode, I’m talking with Tiffany English, former president of the American Orff Schulwerk Association. Our conversation is all about the world of Orff Schulwerk: what it is, what it isn’t, pedagogy, teaching ideas, what you can expect should you decide to do Orff levels training, why you should visit a local Orff chapter, and more. Resources mentioned in this podcast: American Orff Schulwerk Association Website: AOSA.org Links to your local Orff Chapter: http://aosa.org/chapters/
This episode of the podcast is a replay containing the audio version of the Musical Monday LIVE video recorded on 1/9/23. This week I shared my lessons for using popsicle sticks for rhythm dictation. If you’re not familiar with musical Mondays, every Monday night at 8 p.m. Eastern time I go live on Facebook and Instagram to share about the lessons that I’m using in class with my students. I give a recap of my K-5 lessons and then do a deep dive about one grade level and share the books, instruments, songs, and process that I use to teach the lesson to kids. This podcast episode contains all the audio from the Musical Monday video, but if you’d like to see a replay of the video itself you can follow this link to the archived video on YouTube. Click here to see the Musical Mondays LIVE recap page where I…Read More
This episode of the podcast is a replay containing the audio version of the Musical Monday LIVE video recorded on 12/12/22. This week I shared some of my lesson ideas for fourth grade and my process for teaching the song “Twelve Days of Christmas.” If you’re not familiar with musical Mondays, every Monday night at 8 p.m. Eastern time I go live on Facebook and Instagram to share about the lessons that I’m using in class with my students. I give a recap of my K-5 lessons and then do a deep dive about one grade level and share the books, instruments, songs, and process that I use to teach the lesson to kids. This podcast episode contains all the audio from the Musical Monday video, but if you’d like to see a replay of the video itself you can follow this link to the archived video on YouTube. Click here…Read More
This episode of the podcast is a replay containing the audio version of the Musical Monday LIVE video recorded on 12/5/22. This week I shared some of my lesson ideas for first grade with a focus on vocabulary, creating new lyrics, sequencing, and the book Hanukkah Hop. If you’re not familiar with musical Mondays, every Monday night at 8 p.m. Eastern time I go live on Facebook and Instagram to share about the lessons that I’m using in class with my students. I give a recap of my K-5 lessons and then do a deep dive about one grade level and share the books, instruments, songs, and process that I use to teach the lesson to kids. This podcast episode contains all the audio from the Musical Monday video, but if you’d like to see a replay of the video itself you can follow this link to the archived video on…Read More