Elementary Music Programs - 2021-2023

It's the end of the year! Time to start prepping for next year's programs! 
Here are my elementary music programs from the last two years. 
I use material from lots of different sources, so if you're unsure where something is from, please reach out to me and I'd be happy to help you!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Success & Joy in the Adaptive Music Classroom

Happy October! I hope your year is off to a wonderful start - can you believe it's fall already???
Today I'd like to share about a topic near and dear to my heart - adaptive music classes. My nephew is non-verbal, autistic and struggles heavily with behaviors. I've seen first hand the power that music has for everyone, but especially these unique students. Educators around the country are also beginning to see the benefits that music has for students. Because of this, more and more music teachers are being asked to teach "adaptive" or "contained" small group classes. Many are thrust into this situation without any prior knowledge or even a clue of what to do. 

Two years ago, I was placed in this exact situation. I discovered that I would be teaching a Severe & Profound group twice every cycle in addition to their regular music time. I'd been to classes with my nephew and worked with him while I was in college. However, each student is special and learns in their own way, no matter their abilities. 
For the rest of this blog post, I'd like to share with you what has worked in my classroom with a variety of students. Every day is different - never forget that! You will have ups and down, triumphs and stepping stones. These students have truly become my favorites and I look forward to their classes each cycle. I hope that you will also find success and joy with these classes because I know they find joy in the music you are making!
What does "adaptive" mean?
Adaptive classes can take on many names, faces and descriptions. The word "adaptive" just means that you are making changes or adjustments so the students can be successful in their learning. You want your goals and lessons to be accessible for each student in their own way.

What might a classroom of these students look like?
A class like this can differ from building to building and even year to year! The students may be in wheelchairs, unable to speak or need help with general movement. Some could be struggling with regulating themselves emotionally. Others might be learning how to recognize and cope with a certain behavior. Many times these students will come with a group or individual aide who knows their situation and can better assist you in planning or making changes. They may or may not participate, but are there to guide the student. 

What things can you do with these students?
As each student is different, they will naturally gravitate toward something musical that excites them. Many of my students love movement, whether we do a simple dance or just wave scarves. Some love to play on a drum. In time, you will learn more about your class and some of their likes/dislikes. 

What are some things you can do to be successful with these students?
First of all, get to know your kids! Many people keep notes to remember what the student struggles with or if they have a specific classroom goal they are working towards. Talk to the special education teacher, school therapist/guidance counselor and their aides. I once had a student that had a very traumatic experience with balloons. I immediately scratched off all the lesson ideas I had with balloons because I wanted to make that student comfortable and happy in music. Maybe the whole group is working on their ABC's in the special education room. This is a great way for you to help while also working on a musical goal like singing together. Second, routine is huge! Below, I will share with you the routine I have established in my classroom. It took many weeks, but the students are happier and know what to expect. It also helps teach them patience and understanding because they know we will play the drums at some point. Finally, don't be afraid to adapt as a teacher. You might have a stellar lesson that worked previously, but it's been a long week and the kids have had it! Don't be discouraged! Maybe give them a choice between two things or let them pick a favorite song. Take some calming time or a sensory activity. Some days will go perfectly and other times you just have to work with it. Don't let this turn you away from music, teaching or these awesome kids. Tomorrow is a whole new day!

So, what does a day in music class with this group look like for me? I've found that this routine works well for my students because it provides them with multiple musical activities while also practicing concepts that I want them to experience:

• beginning activity
• vocal exploration
• steady beat
• game/sensory/literature
• simple songs
• creative movement
• classroom percussion exploration
• calming/cool down

Below, I will detail each category and share some of my activities that have worked well with my students. Many of the songs and activities I use come from Listen & Learn Music, Laurie Berkner, Miss Carole, Hap Palmer and assorted other places. If you have a specific question, please email me and I'd be happy to help you!

Please understand that your students are so unique and may not enjoy or be able to participate in any of the above categories. This is simply what is successful in my classroom after several weeks of getting to know my students. My aides are great fun and are always happy to participate with the students. This makes things like games and dances easier because each student has a helpful partner. As always, do what is best for your students, classroom, building, district and self. 

BEGINNING ACTIVITY
I use a short beginning activity to get everyone into the room and settled in. Many times it takes these students a bit longer to get to the classroom and I don't want them to miss any of the music making so this is a way for them to get stretched, focus and ready to start class.

• stretchy band (Listen & Learn Music)
• parachute (Shakin' the Chute)
• bean bags (Bean Bag Boogie, Bean Bag Fun, Bean Bag Beatbox)
• Brain Bop
• GoNoodle/Just Dance

VOCAL EXPLORATION
Vocal exploration is so important for these students! We work to hear all the parts of the voice, regardless of the ability to form words. I have an interactive whiteboard in my classroom, so it is always a treat when the kids get to come up and draw their own pathway on the board.

• TeachersPayTeachers
• John Feierabend vocal exploration cards
• slide whistle
• Hoberman Sphere
• pipe cleaners

STEADY BEAT
Steady beat is so important for all grade levels, so this is something we do every class period. Normally, we use body percussion or instruments but we also move around the room occasionally.

• body percussion - simple activities from Elementary Etudes
• beat buddies
• Music Express (The Beat is the Heart of Music & Steady Eddie)
• John Feierabend's Keeping the Beat
• movement (Movin' to the Beat from Music K8 or The Ants Go Marching)

GAME/SENSORY/TECHNOLOGY
This is the part of the lesson that can differ daily. I try to rotate them unless it's "student request day." Sometimes we play a simple game where the students are working on taking turns or understanding that they are out. Other times they do an activity with a partner. There are lots of things that can fit here - email me if you'd like more information!

• iPad apps (Singing Fingers, Monkey Drum or GarageBand)
• Tap It Here (Musicplay) or Charlie Over the Ocean
• Great Big Ball (Miss Carole) - this one is HUGE with my kids!
• Music Mega Blocks - create combinations of ta/titi
• Hot Potato

SIMPLE SONGS
This category can be filled with any type of singing you want. At the beginning of the year, we do a lot of echo singing and vocal exploration before diving into full songs. I do use this time to practice program songs if the students want to share with the others. We also combine classroom learning, such as the ABC's, counting and family/community awareness.

• folk songs and/or nursery rhymes
• program songs
• Friends & Family (Hal Leonard)
• Alphabet Action Songs (Musicplay)
• echo songs (Oh, In the Woods, Green Grass Grew All Around, Walking in the Jungle)

CREATIVE MOVEMENT
This is where many of my students shine - they love to move to music! We do simple dances, actions or just free movement with props like scarves and ribbons. Freeze dance is always a hit, too, because they get to hear their favorite tunes.

• scarves & ribbons (Listen & Learn Music)
• Parachutes and Ribbons and Scarves, Oh My (Artie Almeida)
• literature with actions (My Aunt Came Back, Animal Boogie)
• musical spots (instead of chairs)
• freeze dance/folk dances

CLASSROOM PERCUSSION EXPLORATION
Next to creative movement, this is one of my students' favorite times! They love tapping, shaking, and more with instruments. Sometimes we use songs with guided directions while other times we just tap along at our own pace.

• guided directions (Listen & Learn Music, Hap Palmer)
• play & stop - take a song and add random moments of silence with Audacity
• Preschool Prodigies (for boomwhackers & bells)
• children's literature (Tap the Magic Tree, Haja, Shaggy Dog & the Terrible Itch, Pete the Cat)
• Mallet Madness (Artie Almeida)

CALMING/COOL DOWN
I've recently added this component and it's really been a hit. It's a chance for the students to rest and collect themselves before the leaving the room. I also use it if they are out of control or not listening - we immediately stop and cool down for the rest of class. I turn off all the lights and project glowing stars on the ceiling as they lay down and listen.

• Kira Willey (Peace & Joy, Namaste, Just Be)
• GoNoodle (Melting, Breathe series)
• classical music (Pathetique 2nd mvt. theme, Claire de Lune, Promenade from Pictures)
• Listen & Learn Music (Around the World We Go, I'll See You in the Morning)
• Sleepy Bells (Music Express, seasonal)

To keep track of all these wonderful ideas, I have a spreadsheet that I constantly update. It gives the name, origin, category and any additional information I need. It will definitely come in handy for my maternity substitute in a few months! I also have a playlist for this class that has most of the music I use regularly. Finally, I have ideas saved in many different boards on Pinterest. I like to be organized and so far, this is the only way I'm able to keep everything together. If you have any questions, please email me. I would be happy to help you collect resources, talk about ideas or just share experiences with you. 

I hope these ideas give you some sort of foundation or step in the right direction for your adaptive music classes. My goal is for my students to experience the world of music, but also foster of love of it. They might never sing and show the handsigns for the entire solfege scale, but that doesn't matter to me. What matters is that they love coming into my classroom and find joy in singing, dancing and playing. One of the best moments in my career was when a student of mine with Down syndrome (normally nonverbal) sang "Let It Go" from Frozen in its entirety. She was so happy and excited for that song! Her para cried, I cried and it was truly a beautiful moment. My nephew is eased with certain sounds and projects his aggression through drumming. It is not a cure or quick fix, but any little bit helps to bring happiness to a child. I hope you have inspiring moments like these with your students - it reminds me why I do what I do. 

***Disclaimer: I am not a music therapist nor am I certified in any classes or techniques relating to music therapy. I am simply an elementary music teacher asked to teach something that I wasn't prepared for and struggled to find resources or ideas for this class and its special students. If you are interested in music therapy or are wanting more information in regards to it, please visit the website for the American Music Therapy Association. Thank you!***

TPT Seller Challenge, Week 2 - Dare to Dream

It's week two of the TPT Seller Challenge! This week, I'm sharing some of my dreams and hopes for the future!

Start a family: This has been a difficult journey for my husband and I lately. We had a set-back recently which is taking it's toll. Please keep us in your thoughts as we continue on the road to our own little family.

Help & inspire teachers: I created my store to help and inspire other music teachers. I also wanted to help teachers in my building. This fall, I'm presenting a workshop at our state music teacher's convention about some things I'm doing in my classroom to help with 1:1 and student independence. More on that to come!

Pay off debt: Who doesn't want to pay off debt? I'll keep dreaming....ha!

Build my TPT store: I'm almost to 200 followers! Ya-hoo! I want to continue to reach out to others through networking, social media, etc. This will help me grow my store, but also my friends and resources that I can share with others.

What are your dreams for the future?

2015 New Year's Resolutions

I'm linking up with Mrs. Miracle's Music Room for some New Year's resolutions. In the past, I've been pretty good about keeping resolutions. This year, though, wasn't the best, so I'm hoping to do a better job in at least one area.

Personal: It has been a tough few months for my husband and I, but we're still moving forward. I've been gone from school several times with nothing much to show for it. Hopefully, 2015 is a more positive year for us as we try to start our family. 

Professional: With a lot of personal stuff going on, I've also had somewhat of a smack in the face with our local boosters. I am not the lowest on the totem poll in the music department, but as an elementary teacher, sometimes I feel pushed to the side. I ended the year by writing a very personal email. It might not have been the best way to address things, but I had to get something off my chest. This year, I want to continue to be strong for myself as a teacher, but also for my classroom and students. Even though we don't win awards, elementary music is the foundation of those successes later on. 

Classroom: I have discovered so many wonderful center ideas. Most of July was spent creating materials and they are still stuck in our spare bedroom. I really want to get these things out and just try to do centers with at least one grade level before school is out. In the fall, I want to take the positives and negatives and keep utilizing centers.

Blog/TPT: I keep teetering on the edge of starting a TPT store. I have so many ideas, but I keep worrying about copyright and credit. I really want to share things that go on in my classroom with others, but I need to keep reading up on things before I give it a go.

Just for me: I purchased a FitBit on Black Friday and love it already. It can even sync up with my Weight Watchers program. Last year, I wanted to lose weight. This year, though, with the medications and stress, I just want to be more active. It amazes me how active I already am in the classroom! I want to keep up this momentum and striving to reach that daily step goal.

What are your resolutions for the new year? I know I've forgotten something really important that I wanted to focus on this year. Hopefully, I can keep at least one of these resolutions, if not more. Happy New Year!

Throwback Thursday - Organization!

Tomorrow is the end of my first week of summer vacation. I have never loved summer so much! Still, I am thinking about next fall already. I am big into organization, especially in my classroom. Several teachers are linking up to share their end of the year organization and I thought it would be a great "Throwback Thursday" post to link up. Visit Mrs. King's Music Room for more End of the Year Organization ideas!

Mrs. King's Music Room

One of my first blog posts was a nice tour of my music room. Each year I try to change it up a bit to fit our building themes. However, this past school year was my second as a full-time teacher. My first year I was half-time, so everything was shared. I decided to take ownership of my room and slowly morph it into what I like. I'm going to share some tidbits from my past blog posts that show my organization style at the beginning and end of the year.

Monday, August 26th, 2013

This is my favorite spot! I am in love with color and organization. This spot shows that really well! Up
above, I have the solfege handsigns again, but they are color coordinated with the boomwhacker colors. Then, I have my boomwhackers organized and stored in coffee containers. On the top are the rhythm sticks and maracas. Underneath, are plastic square and round containers with the different instruments. Some are labeled with white board labels, while some are open so you can see. It also has storage on the back, so that holds instruments we don't use a lot. Finally, it rolls! If I have a lot of instrument stuff one day, it is so handy to roll around! Love, love, love! 

Tuesday, August 20th, 2013

This is my bookshelf. The last few years it has been horribly cluttered. Then, I discovered fabric bins. I am in love with them! I was able to separate my books into categories and use mini dry erase tags to label them. The bottom shelf is for media resources and the top shelves hold curriculum and staff development resources. The bins are in our school colors :) 

   *NOTE - I actually took out the media resources on the bottom and put another bin and folder divider set for my Music Express/Activate subscription. 

This is the big shelving unit in the back of the room. It has a lot of great storage for mallet sets, old book series and other random odds & ends. However, the kids want to touch and see EVERYTHING! You can also see my other colored fabric bins. These are labeled and go along with the color coded schedule, behavior chart, and concert calendar for each grade. I store all of their activities and curriculum ideas in this bins. My mom created a curtain that goes across and covers everything, thank goodness! I also have a few fabric bins that hold scarves, stretchy bands, and other movement materials.

One final thing that keeps me organized is my planner. I posted a picture and link to a previous blog post about the wonderfulness that is ErinCondren. The picture does NOT do it justice. Please check this out if you need anything for organization. It is so wonderful, especially for teaching. I don't know what I would have done without it this year. You can still receive 25% off for Teacher Appreciation Month through Saturday. Check it out - you won't regret it!

10 Things I Want to Do This Summer

IT'S SUMMER!

Summer is here! Wow - it feels like the school year flew by at times and drug on too long on different days. Please read my previous post and link up to see some of the highlights of this year in my music classroom. Today, though, I am linking up (I love linking up with fellow bloggers - I've done it a lot lately!) to share 10 things I would like to do this summer. 

Mrs. Jump's Class

1. Family time! 

      Adam and I got married in October. Since it was during the school year, we didn't get much of a honeymoon or a lot of down time to spend together. He will still be working over the summer, but we will only have one schedule to work around for once. Plus, our cat, Eleanor, has been awfully lonely these last few weeks of school. She deserves some much needed cuddle time!

2. Clean and organize

       At this time last year, we had closed and just moved into our new house. I've changed decor several times, but our home really needs a deep clean and organization of everything. We still have some boxes that haven't been touched since we moved in. It's not my most favorite thing in the world, but once I get started, I can't seem to stop until it's done. Time to break out the Swiffer!

3. Catching up on some TV

     TV is my thing - I cannot give it up. My favorite HBO series is ending this summer - "True Blood." I'm not usually one for gore and blood, but I love this show for some reason. I haven't missed a season, and I will be sad when it's all over. Hopefully my question will be answered after all of these seasons: Vampire Bill or Vampire Eric?

4. Reading

        I love reading. However, I love it so much that it keeps me up at night. I get stuck in a book and don't go to sleep until it's finished. That is why I love summer! I can stay up late and read without having to worry about school the next day. I have a long list of reads this summer, so I will be frequenting the library and Amazon.com a lot.

5. Learn!

       I can't wait to travel to Branson in a few weeks. I'll be attending a 3 day workshop put on by Denise Gagne and Artie Almeida, plus a few other great educators. This workshop is going to be amazing! I already own several of the resources available from these individuals, but I can't wait to see them in action and learn new strategies for my classroom. Plus, I've never been to Branson or on a mini vacation by myself. I hope to see and meet many wonderful educators, too.

6. Plan

     I love planning. I seriously think I could be some kind of planner in another life. Last year, I purchased an ErinCondren teacher planner and fell in love. This year, I bought mine as soon as they came out. They are colored coded, personalized and just so awesome! Here's my previous post about everything included in the planner: http://msmusic4life88.blogspot.com/2013/08/ocd.html

This year's planner has my new married name and lots of dots!

7. Exercise

     I really want to be more active this summer. I love our YMCA and with being an elementary teacher, piano teacher and church musician, it's hard to find a regular time to workout during the school year. Summer, though, is completely different. I love water aerobics and ZUMBA, so I can't wait to get back to those classes on a regular basis.

8. Shop

    I know, I know...I have no money, but I can't help shopping. It's a vice and seriously, I'm a girl - we love shopping! There are so many fun things to shop for in the summer, too, like showers, weddings, holidays, BBQs, pooltime, etc. Even window shopping is fun this time of year! 

9. Sleep

    

    Do I need to say more with this one? Haha! I know we all need different amounts of sleep, but I swear, I sleep nonstop during Christmas break and the first few days of summer break. It's nice to curl up with the cat and just sleep the day away, especially when the weather is rainy. I hope you all get the much needed sleep you deserve!

10. Relax

   This one is huge. I have a nervous stomach and am always stressed for some reason. It's really bad for my well being and for those around me. I want to take time to relax and figure out some strategies to use in the coming school year. I've always been busy and stressed, but sometimes, it's just ridiculous how much I let it control me. 

A Peek at My Week

I LOVE this Linky Party. March is music's busiest month of the year AND it's Music in Our Schools Month. I'm linking up to Mrs. Laffin's "A Peak at My Week."

http://mrslaffinslaughings.blogspot.com/2014/03/currently-march-peek-at-my-week.html

Kindergarten
          It was Dr. Seuss's birthday this week and Read Across America. This worked great with Kindergarten! Their program this year is all about Dr. Seuss. I've been using some songs from "Seussical," as well as some made-up gems I've found on teaching websites. The students are loving the stories and making connections in class. Awesome!! They are also going to be creating their own "Seussical Musical Instrument" this week. I picked it up from Sarah Davies on Pinterest.

1st Grade

          The students are also working on their program for April. It's all about Earth Day and protecting our planet. I'm using a lot of Raffi resources for this one, as well as "Let it Grow" from The Lorax. So much Seuss this week :)

2nd Grade

           2nd grade just finished up learning about Peter and the Wolf. Now, we are onto a mini-performance. The primary building is celebrating Cancer survivors with a Cancer Coffee. The 2nd graders wanted to do some singing so we are putting together a few songs for them. They will be singing "Happy Birthday," "Hero" (Spotlight on Music) and "We Appreciate You" (Music K-8). The kids are excited about this and it's a great way to give back to those local heroes in the community.

3rd Grade

           It is concert time! The 3rd graders perform their concert "Feelin' Good" next week. I chose this theme because our community was chosen as a leading Blue Zone Community in the state of Iowa. This means we are working as a team to make healthy food choices and become more active. I love Music K-8 and Teresa Jennings creations. She had a perfect collection for this program idea! We are also adding in the "Harlem Shake" to have the kids be active on stage and have some fun. It's hilarious - I can't wait to show some pictures!

4th Grade
       We just finished our STOMP project. The kids loved this! I posted some on the bulletin board for MIOSM advocacy. Now, they are learning some Irish songs and games to coincide with St. Patrick's Day. This week, we played "1,2,3 O'Leary" from Music a la Abbott.

http://www.musicalaabbott.com/2014/01/one-two-three-oleary.html

5th Grade

        5th grade is finishing up their work with GarageBand and ABA form. I mentioned this in a previous post about technology. It's great and I love seeing how creative they are. 

Wheww - that is just during the school day! It's also musical weekend nearby. I'm playing for another school district and they are performing "Shrek the Musical." SO MUCH FUN! :) Also, I have 2 concerts next week, honor choir and conferences the following week. Oh mylanta - it really is a busy time of year!

Back to school!

Wheww, I am exhausted! I went to bed at 9 pm most nights and still slept from 10pm until noon on Saturday. Those first few days are so exciting, chaotic and tiring at the same time! So far, I have a pretty great group of kids this year. There will be some behavior issues here and there, but I think the classes are divided better, so the students are more even-tempered this year. You really don't realize the impact of personalities until you have a really crazy class for an entire year. Love them, but boy, do they wear me out!

I thought I would post my first week lesson plans. The first week is hard, as most classes are still figuring out the schedules and with early outs, I don't really see everyone until the next week. I focus on some review activities for my primary students, while I try to start with a "bang" for the intermediate students. Here's an overview:

Kindergarten, 1st Grade

• Beanbag Boogie
       I got this idea from:
  
       http://highshoalsmusic.blogspot.com/2013/03/beanbag-boogie.html
   The kids loved moving around, balancing their bean bag and dancing with their new classmates - so fun!
• The Music Teacher from the Black Lagoon
        I use books as much as I can in the music room. I love song stories, biographies, Orff, solfege, etc. Basically, if I can discover or create a lesson for it, I will use a story. This one is a great beginner because it's about a scared boy the rumors of music class. The students kept saying how I was "nothing like her" and "she's so mean - you're nice!" Makes my day when I get that feedback from my students!
• Freeze Dance
         Let's face it - freeze dance is a staple in music class. I love watching the kids show off their dance moves and have a little crazy fun. The teachers have started using it in their classrooms for brain breaks and indoor recess. Can't end a first day without freeze dance!

2nd Grade    

• "Sasha" partner dance
         As a former student of Simpson College, I had the opportunity to attend awesome MusicEd workshops every year. One of my favorites was given by Sanna Longden with the title "No Child Left on His or Her Behind." So fun and some awesome dances to boot! "Sasha" is a personal favorite of mine because the students are learning beat, rhythm, and dancing techniques, while also partnering with lots of students and working on hand-eye coordination. Win-win!
• The Music Teacher from the Black Lagoon
         This was a new book for me this year, so I decided to share it with the 2nd graders. They loved it just as much as the younger students.
• Freeze Dance
          I hate seeing a new class come in and leave without playing freeze dance. They get jealous and I'm a wimp at saying "no."

Intermediate (grades 3-5)  : I only saw 1-3 classes out of the 5 for each grade. I like to keep them altogether, so here was my "kick-off" activity for those that were able to come to their special.

• Ida Red
         I learned this great song & game from one of my college friends and fellow teachers, Lydia. It sounded so fun and a great first day activity! We learn the song "Ida Red" and create a circle. After the song, I cut between two students. These students must race around the circle while doing something funny that I have placed in a letter. I could pull out anything from "hop" to "crabwalk." The kids race around the circle in opposite directions and the first one to get back and touch my hand wins. So funny! Here's a link to a great powerpoint on "Ida Red."
  http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Ida-Red-Slides-for-teaching-tika-ti-and-singing-games-672873

• Oobleck & the differences in Sound
       This was the most fun (and most mess) I've had in music class. I saw this idea on The Big Bang Theory and new it was a perfect "first day" activity. Here is a link to the experiment:
  http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/search/experiment?q=the-force-of-sound-sick-science
  
  We tested several different tones from high to low. I also played "The Cupid Shuffle" which was perfect for the oobleck to move and bounce around. The kids loved it! I also created a little note & recipe from our activity, so the students could take it home and try it out with their families. It was messing and a lot of clean-up, but I hope it sparked interest in the wild world of music for this year. 
  

I promise to get pictures of the room up soon! I just want everything to look perfect and it's not quite there yet. What are your first day ideas & activities? Do you have full days or the half day chaos of trying to come up with filler lessons?

OCD

Hello! Thank you for viewing my music education blog. People have been telling me on and off for the last year to write, so I finally took the plunge.

A lot of what I find, adjust and integrate is from Pinterest or work shops. I try my best to fit it for my classroom size, student needs and current curriculum goals of our state and district. I titled my first post "OCD" because I am OCD on organization and planning. My first month of school is mostly planned out already. Yes, this does adjust often but I always feel better with some strong ideas under my belt.

My Pinterest is a perfect example: http://pinterest.com/msdunn88keys

It is divided into several categories based on my needs as a teacher. I want to always give credit where credit is due, so I will link a lot of what I find. Most of the time I adjust it, but I want to make sure the original owner is praised for their awesome ideas!

My first post is all about my planner. Yes - a planner. I stumbled upon ErinCondren.com from pinterest (mention #1) and fell in LOVE! It is quite pricey for a teacher planner ($59 plus add-ons if you'd like) but it has everything I could possibly need. Here is a photo I snapped:

It arrived in an awesome box and I wanted to cry! Everything is huge, color coordinated and labeled. What else could an OCD music teacher want? 

Here is a monthly calendar view - I've already put in all of our school calendar dates, plus important "life events" and holidays.

Lesson plans with color coordinated days. It has 7 sections, so I can include K-5 and 5th Chorus.

Tabs for everything! And a swanky little pen/pencil holder for staff meetings :)

My last photo is the labels. It has 2 pages of printed labels (conferences, field trips, etc.) and then 2 pages of labels that you can write on. I've already taken some out and marked our elementary music concerts for the year. The color of the label corresponds with the same color fabric bin I have for each grade's curriculum and activities.

ErinCondren.com has a nice tutorial video with everything in it, plus all the extras you can add on if you'd like. I haven't heard negative comments from people that have purchased and used it (only if their order was wrong), so I'm hoping for the best because I am already in love with it. When ordering, you do receive some surprise benefits like personalized items and discounts. If you're interested in ordering a planner, have questions or wonder about the other products on the website, let me know. 

http://www.erincondren.com/store/

Before school starts, I will post a completed room tour so you can see the layout, plus behavior charts and curriculum organization. Thanks for reading!