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November 27, 2016

Carol of the Bells – Favorite Winter Folk Song

You would think that teaching “Carol of the Bells” should be a slam dunk.  Kids most likely know the song from the radio or tv or a movie soundtrack.  But this is another one of those classic favorites that I would call a “song on the fringe.”  We know it, […]
Five different rhythm syllable systems, pros/cons of each, and some history. Read this blog post for more!
May 15, 2016

Rhythm Syllable Systems – What to use and why!

What do you call a quarter note?  In your classroom do you call it “Ta”?  Or Maybe you call it “Du”.  What about other rhythms?  Do you say “Ta, Ti-ti” or maybe “Du, Du-de” or even “Ta, Ta-di.”  Perhaps you just call them “pal, buddy” or go right to numbers […]
Fishy Fun - Ocean Song Ideas for Kindergarten and 1st Grade
February 7, 2016

Fishy Fun!  Ocean Songs and Games for Primary Grades

I like a good theme, I won’t lie.  For the past week or so I’ve been teaching ocean songs and underwater games to kindergarten and I wanted to share some of the things that have worked really well.  Since it’s kindergarten I try and keep activities pretty short but do […]
January 31, 2016

‘t Smidje – A Dance to Make Your Students Go Wild!

This is a GREAT time of year to be a music teacher.  The kids may be bleary-eyed and overwhelmed with state/local/district/whatever tests but you are well on your way to a fantastic new semester.  We are in prime workshop season and the ideas are flowing!  Many teachers out there are […]
Singing About Animals and enhancing the schema of students!
January 10, 2016

Singing About Animals – Enhancing Schema

I learned early on in my music teaching career that I can’t assume anything about kiddos.  I learned not to bank on the idea that kids have done something before or learned information somewhere else before coming to my classroom.  For example, you might think:  “Itsy Bitsy Spider is a […]
December 13, 2015

Jingle All the Way – Ideas for December

“I can do this.  I can do this!  I’ve only got one more week….  ONE MORE WEEK!”   Does that mantra sound familiar?  I know that many of you are also psyching yourself up for one more week of high-energy kids who are sugared up from holiday parties and are […]
5 ideas to extend lessons and create variety when teaching folk songs!
November 22, 2015

I’ve Taught this Folk Song, Now What?!

If you’ve read any of my blog so far you know that I love teaching folk songs.  Folk songs are great songs with catchy tunes, are excellent for cultural and historical references, and usually have some sort of movement or dance component.  What an exciting way to expand vocabulary!  What an […]
This favorite folk song is great for teaching song form.
October 10, 2015

Turn the Glasses Over – Playing with Form!

I love teaching this fun little folk song, “I’ve been to Harlem” a.k.a. “Turn the Glasses Over,” to my students!  I learned the basic version of the song at my Orff Level 1 training a few years ago and have been playing with how to teach the lesson ever since.​  This year […]
Rain Rain Go Away - Lesson Ideas, extension activities, and videos to use with your class.
May 8, 2015

Rain, Rain, Go Away!

I had so much fun with this lesson today that I just had to share.  I’m continuing to work on sol-mi songs with my Kindergarten friends and had it in my lesson plans to go back and revisit “Rain, Rain, Go Away!”  I always love teaching this song around this […]
O Tannenbaum - Teaching about a tree!
December 13, 2014

O Tannenbaum!  Teaching about a Tree!

Holiday carols are so much fun!  I love introducing my students to carols because they give you a chance to spark the kids’ interest and teach them about other countries, time periods, and (in some cases) different languages.  In that regard they are much like folks songs because they open […]
If You're Happy and You Know It Clap Your Hands - Blog Post
November 1, 2014

If You’re Happy and You Know It!

  “If You’re Happy and You Know It” is a classic children’s folk song and is so wonderful for so many reasons.  It gives you a chance to talk about improvising new lyrics and coming up with variations.  It gives you a chance to define the word “lyics.”  It allow […]
This blog post gives you ideas and suggestions to make an instrument petting zoo work for your open house or parent teacher conference.
October 23, 2014

Instrument Petting Zoo!  Parent Teacher Conference Day Win!

Parent teacher conference days are always a struggle for me.  I have 500 students and theoretically I could have 500 kiddos and their parents running into my room to ask about grades and standards and concerts.  But that has never really happened.  I’m usually lucky if 10 of those 500 […]
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