There are many fun ways for students to practice syncopation, and each one focuses on a different aspect to help them internalize the concept and be able to transfer their knowledge to a variety of repertoire. A few ideas include: Sing the song or target phrase with lyrics. Sing the…
Alcitrón with a modified cup game
It seems like most elementary music teachers right now are teaching at least some virtual lessons. We’re also faced with social distancing, which complicates most of the games we’d normally play during class. That’s why I recommend using the song Alcitrón for your lessons. Here are a few reasons to…
Folk Songs 
18 more rhythm examples for ’18
As we close out 2018, here’s a gift of eighteen more folk song rhythm examples. Simply click on the individual titles to see the music and save them, or go to the Rhythm page to see an alphabetical list of all the folk song rhythm examples available and save the…
Book Review: Born to Swing
Book: Born to Swing: Lil Hardin Armstrong’s Life in Jazz Author: Mara Rockliff Illustrator: Michele Wood Publisher: Calkins Creek, 2018 ISBN: 978-1-62979-555-3 Whenever I heard the name Armstrong, I always thought of Louis, until I read this book! Lil Hardin was a pianist in The New Orleans Creole Jazz Band playing at the Dreamland in…
Fall Folk Song Refresh
If you’re anything like me, you’re always on the lookout for a folk song gem to use in the classroom. Rotating a song into your repertoire while giving another one a break every once in a while can be refreshing. One of these songs might be just what you’re looking…
Book Review: Soldier Song
This well-written, beautifully illustrated picture book shines a light on the role of music during the Civil War, which helps to illuminate the humanity of the soldiers. Snippets of letters home are included in many page spreads, along with color-coded illustrations that help readers keep track of the positions of…
Book Review – Acoustic Rooster and His Barnyard Band
Book: Acoustic Rooster and His Barnyard Band Author: Kwame Alexander Illustrator: Tim Bowers Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press, 2011 Imagine my excitement when I came across this picture book gem written by the Newbery medal-winning author Kwame Alexander. In the Q&A on his website, he mentioned it only took him two…
The Rewards of a Retreat
I recently spent two weeks at the Hambidge Center for the Creative Arts and Sciences in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains working on a project. About ten people at a time journey to Hambidge, where the staff and natural surroundings provide the peace and solitude needed to focus. Several nights…
My first book!
If you happened across my blog and wondered why there weren’t any new posts for awhile, it’s probably because I’ve been writing for children. I’m still teaching elementary music full-time, but I’m also pursuing my love of writing. There’s even a book to show for it! And that’s not all….