Yesterday two groups of music education students from the University of Mary-Hardin Baylor visited my elementary music classes to observe drumming lessons and they were great! In my district, we teach twelve 25-minute classes on Fridays and see half the school. I like to use these class times to reinforce…
Month: January 2015
Quarter Rest Prep
My awesome colleague, Cindy Hayes, shared this idea with me and gave me permission to share it here. This technique could be used with multiple songs, but the chart I made matches the rhythms to Pease Porridge Hot. While you’re preparing quarter rest, show the students the page with the…
2015 Winter Encounter
The 2015 Winter Encounter is ready for viewing! This is the quarterly publication from Kodály Educators of Texas (KET) that features my Tech Time column. The topic in this issue is using Freemake Video Converter. You may also wish to join the Facebook page for lively discussion and resource sharing. Enjoy!
Syncopa Practice
It’s that time of year again. My fourth grade students have learned “syncopa” or “ta-di–di” and we’re practicing it every which way. It’s a good idea to have students read it from flashcards, posters, or displayed on a projector, and I highly encourage you to use the highlighting feature if you…
Book Review – This Jazz Man
Book: This Jazz Man Author: Karen Ehrhardt Illustrator: R.G. Roth Publisher: Harcourt, Inc., 2006 This jazz man, he plays one, He plays rhythm with his thumb, with a snap! snap! snazzy-snap! Give the man a hand, This jazz man scats with the band. This Jazz Man introduces nine well-known jazz greats to the…
Book Review – Martin & Mahalia: his words, her song
Book: Martin & Mahalia: his words, her song Author: Andrea Davis Pinkney Illustrator: Brian Pinkney Publisher: Little, Brown and Company, 2013 Martin & Mahalia: his words, her song is a nonfiction picture book with beautiful artwork, poetic language, and smooth, easy-to-read-aloud text. Martin Luther King Jr. and Mahalia Jackson shared…
Ribbon Snake Information
Here are some pictures of my “ribbon snakes.” The best way to store them is to wrap a rubber band around the end of the sticks and tuck the ribbons and all into a zipper baggie. For more information on making your own, see the previous post, Engaging Activities in…
Engaging Activities in Small Spaces, Part II
This post will focus on igniting the imaginations of K-2 students, with and without props. Black Snake (Kindergarten and 1st) Concept: Melodic Contour, Colors, Locomotor Movement After the students learn the song, demonstrate moving your “ribbon snake” to the melodic contour of the song. If you’re able to, have students…
Engaging Activities in Small Spaces
This post is in response to a reader who requested ideas for a traveling teacher. Traveling music teachers are constantly adjusting lessons around furniture or available space. The good news is: your lessons can still be powerful and engaging! Today’s post will focus on activities for Kindergarten and first grade…