Classroom Decor Archives - Make Moments Matter

September 15, 2019

Music Room Makeover! Room Tour 2019

Decoration

I love thinking about classroom design and function. When I plan out my classroom (the bulletin boards, the general layout, where and how to store the instruments, decorative details) I always try to keep kids in mind. I want to think about how the room functions for them and how […]

April 21, 2019

Decorating for a Concert in the Gym

Decoration

At my school we have our musical performances in the gym. Not on a stage that’s connected to the gym, just in the open gym. Our student population is large, we don’t have a stage big enough for all the kids, and we just don’t have the option of having […]

Pictures of CHAMPS behavior management system posters.

March 18, 2018

CHAMPS for the Music Room

Classroom Ideas

Teachers live in a constant state of change. Sometimes it feels like every staff development day comes with a new initiative and teaching method to adopt. And how do you learn about and prepare for this new system? Teachers might be given a 2 hour training by someone from “central […]

I CAN Statements - What they are, how to use them, and different ways to display them in your classroom!

September 5, 2017

I Can Statements in the Music Room

Classroom Ideas

In my very first teaching job I was told that I was expected to display “I CAN” statements for my students. They were to be displayed prominently in my classroom, referred to in each lesson, and should help explain to students the goals of the lesson and the take-away skills […]

Before and After pictures of my music classroom.

September 15, 2016

Music Room Makeover! Room Tour 2016

Decoration

It’s a new school year in a new school with a new set of challenges and possibilities! As of August 2016 I am the new music teacher at Ralya Elementary School in Haslett, MI where I’ll be replacing a teacher who has been in the building for many years. I […]

August 9, 2016

Getting All the Back to School Supplies you NEED!

Classroom Ideas

It is absolutely that time of year. Teachers in North America have either started back with students already, are in the midst of professional development and planning, or are a few short days away from officially “reporting back.” It is EASY to get overwhelmed during the “Back to School” rush whether […]

August 4, 2016

What Every Music Teacher MUST Have on their Walls!

Decoration

The last school I worked at actually had a diagram of which bulletin boards should go in which spots in the classroom. They had a very specific expectation of WHERE and WHY something should go in a certain place. In fact, my new teacher orientation had a full hour session […]

Here are three quick and easy tips to save time and space when organizing your classroom!

February 28, 2016

Classroom Organization – Save Space and Sanity

Classroom Ideas

Music teachers who have ever experienced K-5 education (and those of us who have experienced K-8 education) can tell you that a quick switch and easy transition at the end of class is vital to your sanity. This year I start every day with two middle school classes followed by […]

October 25, 2015

Music Room Makeover! Room Tour 2015

Decoration

I’ll just start by saying that I don’t think my classroom will ever truly be finished. There’s always something to add, alter, improve, eliminate, decorate, or switch out. This summer I moved from Kansas City to Lansing, Michigan and that means that EVERYTHING I had was boxed up and schlepped […]

Tips and tricks to make your bulletin boards the talk of the teachers's lounge!

August 22, 2015

Bulletin Board Best Practices – #2

Decoration

If you’ve spent any amount of time on my blog you can probably tell that I’m a fan of bulletin boards. I think that they are a wonderful way to get a student’s attention, teach new concepts, reinforce learning, inform the public, draw in other teachers and administration, connect with […]

Recorder Karate Flags to track and celebrate student progress.

April 18, 2015

Recorder Karate Flags – Displaying student progress

Decoration

I love the idea of tracking and celebrating student growth and progress in a public way. With a task as complex as playing a melodic wind instrument, there are a lot of variables to master. It takes real practice and work to learn to play the recorder in a fun, […]

April 11, 2015

Recorder Karate Progress — Instruments on the Wall!

Decoration

As many of you know, I LOVE teaching recorder! The kids get such energy from playing that funny little instrument. They smile and have a ton of fun learning to make sounds and play together. My kids pick up so much, so quickly when we have our recorder unit as […]