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Organization

Home Organization
September 15, 2019

Music Room Makeover! Room Tour 2019

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 […]
Instrument Playing Center with Station Sign.
January 21, 2019

Station Signs for Music Learning Centers

One of the most difficult things about learning centers is the organization, rotation, and logistics.  Center rotations can fall apart when students don’t know where to go or what to do at each station.  If a student needs to move from one station to another I do my best to […]
Children sitting in circle for centers activity.
May 9, 2018

Music Center Logistics – The How, What, and Why

Learning centers can be fun and educational – a place where students get to explore and work with friends to complete objectives.  There is a ton of potential for everything to go right and for students to learn at their own pace and expand their knowledge of a topic while […]
Pictures of CHAMPS behavior management system posters.
March 18, 2018

CHAMPS for the Music Room

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 […]
Dos, Don'ts, and a Demo page for a music teacher blog/website.
September 13, 2017

Communicating with Parents – Teacher Blogs and Websites

Teachers all around the country are being encouraged to find new and exciting ways to communicate with parents about what’s happening in their classrooms.  School districts want you to be dynamic about how you use social media and online tools to keep parents in the know.  One great way to […]
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

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

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 […]
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

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 […]
Organization ideas, tips, and trick for storing and sorting guitars in your classroom!
November 7, 2015

The Great Wall of Guitars:  Organization Tips and Tricks

I won’t lie, when I took my new job I was a little hesitant about having to teach two sections of guitar to middle school students.  The tuning, the maintenance, the constant attention they would need…. but enough about the students.  The guitars would need lots of help too.  Teaching […]
Check out my music room makeover, 2015!
October 25, 2015

Music Room Makeover!  Room Tour 2015

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 […]
Recorder Karate Flags to track and celebrate student progress.
April 18, 2015

Recorder Karate Flags – Displaying student progress

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, […]
Sticky Situation! Using tape in the elementary music classroom.
January 31, 2015

Sticky Situation — Using Tape in the Music Classroom

I love learning and sharing tiny little tricks to make life in the classroom easier. One of my favorite things to do when I walk into a friend’s music room is start asking “Where did you get that?”  “How are you hanging that?” “What brand of (whatever) is that?”  I […]
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