A free resource for Movement & Music Educators
Engaging Young Boys in the Music Classroom What captures boys in the classroom? There are many ways to excite and motivate children at the start of a lesson, but if you want to get your boys on your side you must include RHYTHM. The initial greeting or simplest speech piece needs to have clear evidence… Read more »
Adaptive Techniques: Instrumental Possibilities for Students with Physical Disabilities Last September, I attended a conference on Music and Physical Disability organized by the OHMI Trust. While I was there, I heard many speakers reference the “Social Model of Disability.” This idea proposes that it is the attitudes and structures in society that make someone… Read more »
How I Managed to Eat Healthy and Stop Yo-Yo Dieting on a Full-Time Teaching Schedule 3 years ago I was teaching music full-time in an inner city school. I had over 300 students across 7 grade levels and no classroom. I was exhausted, unhappy, and stressed. My health suffered. I had put on 20 lbs that… Read more »
Prepping for Your Ukulele Unit Ukuleles are such a great way to teach concepts like melody, rhythm, harmony, form, and style. They’re also a great way to actively engage students in music making. As the new year begins, here are some of the things to think about as you prepare for your ukulele unit! Unpacking… Read more »
Positive Procedures As you anticipate returning to the classroom this fall, do you find yourself wondering how to better manage student behavior? Are you asking yourself how to get your students to stay engaged with your lessons and stop all of that talking and goofing around? Harry Wong states in his book, The First Days… Read more »
Making It Work: Preparing Mind, Body and Spirit for a New School Year It is that time of the summer for most of us to begin thinking about the new school year. With some planning and preparation, I am working to avoid the beginning of the year physical and mental exhaustion that sets in during the first few weeks of returning to work. Here are… Read more »
Summer Reading List: Professional Development, Third Edition Summer is finally here! After I take a little time to relax and recharge, the planning and organizing for next year will begin. As usual, I have chosen three professional books to read over the summer to enrich, inspire and improve my teaching for next year. Here is… Read more »
Making It Work: Self-Care Strategies for Springtime It is a stressful time of year. Performances, grading, state testing, and student behavior ramp up as winter winds down and summer approaches. What can music teachers do to combat stress and potential burnout in the final few months of the school year? Instead of creating an elaborate self-care plan at this busy time… Read more »
Making It Work: Vocal Health Taking care of your voice is an important component of self-care for music educators. We are talking, singing and laughing with our students all day and then using our voices when we are off duty with friends and family. If we don’t tend to our vocal health we can have big problems in… Read more »
Classroom Management Toolkit Around this time of year, classroom management problems can seem to pop up. The excitement and busyness of the holiday season is over, the weather can be problematic, and indoor recess – ugh! This week we are sending out a collection of tools for your toolbox; a look back at some of our popular classroom management… Read more »