Pixlr is a FREE photo editing service. If you are familiar with Photoshop, it works similarly, you just don't have as many options. This is a great resource for customizing photos or images to use in your classroom. Here is a little image I whipped up using the service.
I find the more I label instruments the better my students get at naming them. Each of my barred instruments has one of these labels, which not only help students with the name, but understanding the differences in timbre. You can request this file in the Freebies section of my blog.
When I printed the labels for my instruments I didn't have access to a color printer, so I printed them on colored card stock. The labels are small enough to fit between the mallets on the bass instruments and the box of the smaller. I placed my glockenspiel labels on the stands I use in my classroom (check them out here). I'll make sure to get some pictures during Pre-Planning.
Recently my principal asked for my kiddos to sing for a teacher appreciation event after school. It took me awhile to figure out who I wanted to perform at this event (chorus, orff, a class, ASP kids) because of how close this event is to our spring concert. We are 5 weeks away at this point and have not learned much of the music, yikes!
So finally I decided chorus would be easiest. We could sing to a recorded track, learn it fast and they stay after school often to begin with, so I knew I would have less of an attendance problem. My next dilemma was choosing a short, appropriate piece. I knew I wanted something familiar to aid in learning the piece quickly but I wasn't happy with anything I had done before, I needed something fresh. For inspiration I began searching YouTube for thank you/teacher appreciation songs and I came across this video of Nesbit Elementary School.
I liked the idea and I remembered my kids were already familiar with The Lazy Song (they were screaming along to Kidz Bop or some track like it at a non-music outdoor school event). I must admit I feel a bit hypocritical. Recently there was a post on best choral practices on Beth's Music Notes. I loved these posts because, as a woodwind player, I feel as though I am continually improving in this area. Anyway, I had responded to one of these posts in regards to using pop music in the elementary classroom. I honestly don't use pop music in my classroom often, and when I do, it is usually not to sing. You can read Beth's post to see some of the reasoning for this.
Once I decided on this piece, I realized the lyrcis in Nesbit's version weren't quite right for our event, so I set myself to the task of lyric writing (not one of my favorite things to do). After coming up with the chorus, I asked a couple of my super creative 4/5 kids to help finish the lyrics. I am proud to say that they created the three verses and even tweaked a bit of the chorus to their liking.
Below is an image of the powerpoint I used to teach the lyrics. It's nothing fancy, but if you would like to download it, request the document in the Freebies section.
You will notice I used 2 different colors. That's because I had a duo perform the verses and the rest of my group sang the rest. This was another time saver with my limited amount of rehearsal.
Our staff loved the song!!! The kids got a big kick out of how emotional some of their teacher's were. I would say it was a success.
I have been meaning to add my Word Wall Toppers to my Freebie section but for one reason or another forgot. You can still right click and save them from this summers post but I have made it easier by saving all of the toppers in one pdf that you can request in the Freebie section.
I love using my pocket chart for rhythm/composing activities. I recently used one during 2nd grade to learn about unbeamed eighth notes. It is easy for kids to manipulate the rhythm cards and create patterns to play. These are some halloween rhythm cards that I used recently with my 2nd graders but I also have Thanksgiving and Christmas sets. Below is a sample of the Thanksgiving quarter note cards. If you would like to download and print a set for your classroom visit the Freebie section of my blog.
Every month I select a class that has been working together to be the Spotlight Performers. This group then records a video that goes on the morning announcements for the whole school to see. I never really know what I will be videoing from month to month, think of it as more of an informance than a polished piece. This gives the kids a chance to see what other kids are learning and the adults a snapshot into the music room. I also include a photo of the Maestro of the Month in the video.
I created my video using iMovie and I use the same template from month to month, year to year. The only thing I have to change out is the month and name of class/maestro.
You can request this template in the freebies section of my blog. Remember, this will only work on Macs.
Tomorrow is Friday and I don't know which makes me happier, the fact that it's Friday or that I get to wear jeans!
Anyways....early I posted pics of my classroom and at that point I was waiting for a few things to be laminated. One of those was my thinking spot poster. This is new to my room this year. I wanted something that included directions for what a child should do if they have to take a time out.
Here's my poster!
Below are the directions, feel free to print and use this.
I assign seats on the FlipForm risers for my 1st through 5th graders but I'm sick of hearing "She's in my space". :) This year I thought I would try adding seat numbers to my risers so that each child has a more defined space. In the past I've tried using a sharpie to write the number on the riser but it fades very quickly. So this year I'm going to try using contact paper to attach numbers to the front of each step.
I have made 3 sets to match the colors of my FlipForms. I made 12 numbers in each color because I have 2 of each FlipForm (2 blue, 2 red, 2 green) and I seat, max, 6 kids per riser (3 on top, 3 on bottom).
My rules for the risers:
1. Sit in your spot.
2. Hands and Feet are still.
3. Feet flat on the floor in front of you.
I have created a Freebies section of my blog. At the top click "freebies" and it will take you to links for any templates I have discussed so far. My schedule templates are already there. Just download them from google docs and customize them to your schedule.
I have written before about how I seat my kids but below are the actual seating charts I use in my classroom. I love to keep my room organized and these seating charts really help me do that.
K Chart
1st - 5th Chart
Each class has it's own seating chart and each seating chart is stapled to the front of a color coded file folder. EX: All kindergarten charts are mounted on purple file folders. (I'll take pictures of these during pre-planning.)
Last year I made color copies of my seating charts on card stock and had them laminated at Office Max. You could laminate them at school but I wanted the heavy lamination so that these would hold up for a few years. I use vis-a-vis markers to write on the lamination so that I can easily change things as the year progresses.
I have a hard time keeping track of which classes are coming to me each day. The following images are of the posters I create for myself to keep on track. The first is the schedule template that I got from my supervising teacher during my internship. This is a great way for me to see which classes I have each day and it is also helpful in planning out special events that involve specific classes. The following two images are to help me manage my time. I post these next to the schedule so that I can always double check the start/end time of a group. I have two separate schedules because Wednesdays are an hour shorter in our county.
If you would like any of these templates to use for your classroom, you can email me and I will send you the file.
It never fails....every year Meet the Teacher starts out slowly. I see parents rushing down the hall to drop off their supplies and meet their child's new teacher but my room remains empty and I'm not quit sure what to do with myself.
It seems as soon as I settle myself into a comfortable spot at my desk parents and students and their younger/older siblings come in massive overwhelming waves and it can be a mad house. Kids (and yes sometimes parents) banging on instruments while I'm trying to introduce myself to a new family. Here are some of the things I do to try and answer everyone's questions while keeping hand drums from being completely destroyed! :)
Place Signs EVERYWHERE!
Before our concerts last year I had students make me signs that said "Please do not touch the instruments.". I use these the night of the performance for instruments that are on the floor in front of the stage to deter little fingers but they are also great for Meet the Teacher. Place them all around the room. Anywhere you have instruments, you should have a sign.
Although the families at my school are very sweet and respectful, it is hard for just about anyone to resist striking a key on the piano or playing a glissando on the xylophone. If you've ever been in a band room during warm-up you know what things can start sounding like. For everyone's sanity, this is a must do! :)
Welcome Back Video
Many of the questions parents and students have are about recorders and my after school groups. Since my room is sometimes a bit hectic, I thought a video with this information would be a great way for parents to get the information they need if I'm talking with another family. The video plays on a loop and I included some music advocacy and curriculum information in the video. There is no sound because I have a playlist set up on my ipod that runs throughout the event but you could very easily add sound if you are making your own video.
This is the video I used last year. I have only made a few updates but you can see where I was going with it. I made this using Keynote. Once everything was the way I wanted I exported the file as a movie. I could either run it through my doc cam from my lap top or burn it to a dvd and play it that way. I'm sure there is an option similar to this in Powerpoint.
If you would like my blank template to use, please email me and I will send you a version you can just plug your own information into. Keep in mind my template will only work on Macs.
Forms
There are many events in the first few weeks of school so I make sure to have copies of any forms/newsletters I will be sending home to help parents get a head start. Some of the forms I make sure to have copies of are: recorder order forms, information about materials, flyers announcing interest meetings for after school groups, wishlist, etc.
I found that this helped a lot last year with recorder orders. I think I had at least 10 in the first week, which is not the norm.
Activity
This year I think I'm going to try adding an activity for families to do while they are waiting to say hi. I'm thinking something along the lines of "How was music a part of your summer?". I think I will get a big piece of butcher paper write the question in the middle and then set out crayons/colored pencils for parents and students to fill in their answer. This will be great to hang in the hallway for the first week of school.
At the end of last school year I realized that there were so many outstanding kids that had worked really hard in music but had not really been recognized for their efforts. My solution...Maestro of the Month!
Each month I pick one kid who has been doing an outstanding job and they receive some school-wide recognition.
Maestro for a Day
I have a tux that was donated by a parent. It's adult size so it looks extra adorable on the little kids. They get to wear the tux for the whole day.
Backpack
I got this idea from Sandy Lantz and Gretchen Wahlberg at my Level I. I take some small instruments (triangle, maracas, etc.) and books, things that I have acquired a lot of and put them in a backpack. The Maestro gets to take the backpack home for the month and enjoy.
Certificate
Each Maestro gets a certificate to take home and proudly share with their family.
Look Who's A Shining Star
In the hallway outside my classroom I have a bulletin board with this message. Each Maestro gets their name on a star and they get to staple it anywhere on the bulletin board. (I'll take pictures during pre-planning.)
Spotlight Video
Each month I create a short video of the Maestro and my Spotlight Performer's (I'll post about this later.) The video is usually around 3' in length and our media specialist plays it on the morning announcements.
Maestro Bulletin Board
In my classroom I have a whiteboard where I post a picture of the Maestro with their name, grade and teacher's name.
