Purchasing Archives - Make Moments Matter

August 1, 2023

Where and how to buy children’s books!

Classroom Ideas

I use children’s books all the time in my classroom! They build up a kid’s love for stories and they open up a child’s imagination to all sorts of things they haven’t experienced before. I use books as a springboard for any sort of activity. Want to bring in a […]

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 […]

This dream classroom inventory gives you links, resources, and ideas to fill out any grant application, purchase order, or classroom wishlist.

October 4, 2015

Ultimate Classroom Wishlist

Classroom Ideas

Many of you know that I moved to a new school this year. With a new school comes some reorganizing, rebuilding, and reassessment of what is truly important for instruction. When I opened up the door to my new classroom for the first time I started to take an assessment […]

March 21, 2015

Grant Funding for the Music Room

Classroom Ideas

Do you ever look into a music vendor catalog and see pipe dreams instead of possibilities? These days I feel like it is a constant battle to get funding for the instruments, resources, technology, and professional development that we all desperately need. Even if you teach in an affluent district where money […]

December 29, 2014

End of Season Sales – What to Look and Ask for

Classroom Ideas

In this time of clearance shopping and crazy crowds, here are a few reasons why you should hop in your car and head to the stores. Know that this advice is coming from someone who works part-time retail. I have lived through the picky customers, fussy children, angry tag-along shoppers, […]

Firikyiwa - A must-have instrument for the music classroom.

September 30, 2014

Tiny Time Saver – Firikyiwa African Bell Instrument

Classroom Ideas

The Firikyiwa is a percussion instrument from African and is my newest favorite toy/tiny time saver in the music room. I saw my friend Sarah Lillie use this years ago with her classes and I’ve ALWAYS wanted one. This year on the requisition cycle I decided that I should spend […]

Kids in Motion is a fantastic resource for movement in the elementary music classroom!

July 25, 2014

Kids in Motion – A Must Have Movement CD

Lesson Ideas

“Kids in Motion” is a CD that I was introduced to during my student teaching and is a resource that I go back to again and again. I’ll admit, this album is pretty old and one of MANY on the list of great resources made by creative partners Greg & Steve, […]

A few ideas about what musical resources to order and what to avoid.

February 17, 2014

Time to Order: Do’s, Don’ts, and Dreams!

Classroom Ideas

Whenever I get close to order time I pull out the catalogs I’ve been hoarding all year and I start to think again about how to spend my meager budget. I get only $100 a year from my fine arts dept and another $100 or so from my building. Of […]

January 15, 2014

DonorsChoose.org — Getting Started, Tips, and Pointers

Classroom Ideas

When you teach music in a school with a seriously limited budget you have to get creative. If you’ve gone through any of my blog posts it’s likely that you’ve seen my DIY projects (and you’ll continue to see them) because I just don’t have the budget at my school […]

December 26, 2013

After Christmas Sales — What to Buy!

Decoration

So, you all probably know that I like decorating my classroom. In fact, I have a ton of blog posts on this site dedicated to decorating. You might also know that I have a passion for making it cute while keeping it cheap. It’d be easy to blow hundreds of […]