Tuneful & Trendy - Preview

It's almost that time again - back to school! I know some of you have already started, while others don't start until September. After all of the decorations, planning and meetings, a huge question still looms: what will I wear on the first day of school????

The first day of school is a time to shine! It's a chance to show everyone your personality and meet new students, teachers and parents. You want to look your best but also be functional. This is truly the thought process of most teachers when selecting their wardrobe, not only for the first day of school, but for most of the school year. Your grade level and content area greatly affect your wardrobe. If you're a high school science teacher, your outfit will differ greatly from that of a preschool teacher. In the end, teachers want their outfit to be functional for what they are doing that day AND meet the specifications of their district....so, what happened to fashion?
I love clothes! I worked in the mall in college and loved helping people put together outfits. My husband graciously let me have both closets in our bedroom. He's not pleased with my addiction to clothing, but he's learned to accept and appreciate it. Before I left my previous school district this spring, they labeled me as the "fashionista" in the building. This was a great compliment! Not only are the kids complimenting my clothes occasionally, but so are the teachers! Another reason this made me feel good is because I'm a plus-sized woman. It's difficult to find comfortable and cute clothing without paying an arm and a leg for more fabric. 

Anyways, this got me thinking. How can I bring my love of teaching and love of clothing together? Throughout the year, I see Facebook posts and pins from music teachers asking about comfortable shoes, musical costumes, concert attire, etc. This gave me the idea for a new blog series I'll be doing this year: Tuneful & Trendy! - a weekly blog post featuring one of my outfits from the previous teaching week. I'll also be posting where I got the items, why I chose it and it's function in my music classroom. Through the year, I'll also be featuring link-ups with other music education bloggers to share multiple ideas and examples for you.

So, what are some considerations when selecting clothes throughout the week?

• Stain resistant? (lunch duty gets messy!)
• Temperature 
• Coverage (tying shoes all day requires a lot of bending over)
• Sitting appropriate
• Time on your feet
• Special event (concert, observation, trainings)
• Classroom activities

These are just a small sampling of things to consider when choosing an outfit for school. The most important factor though is the guidelines set out by your district and building. Always follow those first and foremost! The outfit ideas you will see this year from me and other educators fit our district guidelines - yours might differ. That's what's so awesome about clothes, though...you can change them, add accessories, sweaters, etc. to make them your own!
So, the title of this blog post mentions a "preview" and that's where you come in! My first day of school is less than two weeks away and I need your help. The official kickoff of my Tuneful & Trendy series will next week with a linky party from other music bloggers featuring their First Day of School outfit. I'd like you to help me pick my first day outfit by voting below! Voting will close Thursday evening. The winning outfit will be posted and explained this Friday as well as provide you with other outfit ideas in the following weeks. 

Thank you in advance for your help! I hope that I can return the favor this year by providing you with unique, appropriate and fashionable outfit ideas to fit your lifestyle. Vote below!

Vote for Christine's "First Day of School" Outfit!

Trendy Trojan (school colors)

Scarf Stylin'

Chevron Chic

Sage Quotes

Elementary Music Programs 15/16

Hello hello! 
I feel like a stranger to this blog recently - sorry! I am moving to a new district this fall (more about that later this summer), our cat has been sick and the house has been falling apart piece by piece. Let's just say this summer has been nuts and it's only the first week of July.

Anyway, one of my most popular posts was about my music programs. I thought about it and decided that this is something that almost every teacher has to do in some capacity...plus, I had no idea what I was doing my first few years. I had to plan, orchestrate and put on a show without much help. While I hope this isn't the case for most music teachers, it probably is. Whether you use my programs or not, they still provide some fun songs and lessons into your classroom. If you'd like to read more about my (now former) program expectations, check out this post from last year. 

Thanks to Aileen Miracle, EduClips & Instruct and Inspire for the graphics!

As programs tend to take a lot of class time, I try to always include a variety of things in programs. We do movement, actions, instruments, etc., while also reinforcing concepts while learning. My parents want to see a "show." Several of these have extra things mentioned in italics. If you are interested in learning more about any of these pieces, please email me at msmusic4life88@gmail.com & I'd be happy to give you more information.

"Who I Am" with a stretchy band!

If you're like me, right now you're stuck somewhere between programs, end of the year lessons and testing time. Testing stinks! The kids are drained, the building is quiet and teachers are frazzled. I thought I would share a fun, positive lesson that my students love!
The song "Who I Am" by will.i.am was shown to me by our guidance counselor. She used it as a flash mob for 5th graders before Christmas break. I stumbled upon it again and knew I had to bring this awesome song to all of my students! It's short (1 minute, 51 seconds or so) and has the message of being proud of who you are and reaching for your dreams. During testing time, this is what students need to hear! Many will try their best, but some kids struggle with not feeling smart enough, getting done in time, etc. I also think it's nice to hear positive things from someone other than your regular classroom teacher or principal. 
Before I go over it, this lesson can be as short or long as you want - it's up to you! The stretchy band part is at the end, but definitely fun for all ages. With all of the classes, we watch the video first from Sesame Street.

After this, I have students pair and share things that make them feel good. I also have each student say something positive about their partner. Many times, I learn new things about my students because their classmates point out things that I don't normally get to see. From here, the lesson changes depending on what grade level I'm working with.

Primary

• Review steady beat
• Listen once more, this time keeping the beat on our laps.
• Bring out the beat buddies - ask the students to keep the beat with their buddy.
• Ask a student leader or two to choose where we keep the beat and stand in front of the group (assessment!!!!)
• Introduce the stretchy band!
• Explain to the students that we will keeping the steady beat with our stretchy band this time.
• Demonstrate and then add the students.
• Repeat several times - they love putting the stretchy band away!
• Finish with a writing response (optional) - our district is big on writing, so we write a lot in class. Usually, I have them journal about what they learned, the objective for the day or the message of the music with this lesson.

Intermediate

• Listen and watch the video.
• Ask the question - which parts were the same; which parts were different?
• Analyze the song with A & B cards on the board.
• Introduce the words "intro" "verse" & "chorus" in place of the A & B
• Sing a familiar song for them to identify and use the vocabulary (I use Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star and ask what is missing i.e. the intro)
• Introduce the stretchy band!
• Demonstrate and then add the students.
• Repeat several times - they love putting the stretchy band away!
• Come back together and ask the students to pair and share about which movements represented the intro, verses and chorus.
• Finish with a writing response (optional) - our district is big on writing, so we write a lot in class. Usually, I have them journal about what they learned, the objective for the day or the message of the music with this lesson.
• From here, you can dive into a unit or several lessons about types of form, learn and sing more positive songs or have the students create their own dance moves/body percussion/actions to fit the form of the song. 

So, you mentioned this stretchy band thing. Huh?

A stretchy band is a great movement tool for kids, adults and those with disabilities or injuries. You can purchase them at West Music or Bear Paw Creek. I made one from loom pieces in a previous blog post. It's fun to bring out during the year, kind of like "parachute day" in P.E. The movements to the music are demonstrated in the video below and written down for you. Feel free to adjust to fit your needs. If bouncing the beat is hard, you can have the students move left and right with the band. My kids just need to bounce! Haha! My 4th graders were nice enough to come in at an extra time during the day to demonstrate!

Movement Instructions:

1. Bounce beat in the air at waist.
2. Stretch/shake during drum solo.
3. Hold up high, bounce beat, flex; bend down low, bounce beat, flex
4. Put in and out on the qualities.
5. Stretch/shake during drum solo.
6. Hold up high, bounce beat, flex; bend down low, bounce beat, flex
7. Put in and out on the qualities.
8. Stretch/shake during drum solo.
9. Hold up high, bounce beat, flex; bend down low, bounce beat, flex
10. Take 3 steps back; count to 3 and release!

Teddy Bear Time!

Can you believe it's almost the end of February? I feel like the year goes by so fast sometimes. Winter is the hardest for the kiddos, though. We have had some interesting weather this year in Iowa! Nasty weather means inside recess and some wiggly kids. Today I'm going to bring you into the land of teddy bears (and less headaches). 

My mentor teacher used to have a container of teddy bears. They were wonderful motivators for children, as well as a friend and companion during those icky outside days. I love them so much that I created a mini unit for my kindergarteners all about teddy bears! The first thing to do is come up with several teddy bears. If you feel comfortable enough, each student could bring their own to school to use. I'm hesitant about that, as many of my students don't have toys at all. But, if it works for your school, go for it! Here are some suggestions for finding a classroom set:

1. Thrift stores/garage sales - I went to my local Salvation Army and found several teddy bears. You might have to wash them, but they come in all shapes and sizes at these locations.
2. Teachers - ask your fellow teachers if they would like to donate some to the music classroom. I have several teacher friends who stored old toys in the basement but haven't used them in years. They would be glad to get some extra storage and help you out!
3. Family members - my mom practically threw my old teddy bears at me! I kept them at one point for sentimental reasons, but I would much rather see a student's smile than leave them at my parents' house for several more years.
4. eBay - if you are looking to buy some, eBay is always a good place to find things. They might be more expensive, but you can definitely find hundreds of teddy bears.
5. Advertise - it never hurts to ask around local places if they have any teddy bears at home. Donations are a tax write off and many people gladly donate to the school. Stick up a sign at the library or ask a neighbor. You never know!

So, now you are stocked with teddy bears. What's next? I keep mine in a plastic container with a lid. My room tends to flood in the spring, so everything is plastic to keep stuff safe. Wash them, spot clean and check for any staples, sticky parts, etc. These will be in the somewhat dirty  hands of children - don't expect perfection but they should be in decent condition. 

DAY 1:

I introduce our teddy bears by sitting them in front of the class one day. I tell the students that they are "visitors" and are checking out music class for the day. If they like what they see, they will come back and find a buddy. This grabs their attention immediately! 

DAY 2:

Next time, I go over the expectations of our new buddies. If any student isn't respecting their friend, it goes back in the container and won't visit again. I might have to remind a student or two, but if one goes away, you have them scared for the rest of the unit. Each teddy sits in the student's lap as we sing a story. I recommend The Teddy Bear's Picnic, which comes in many different versions. Sometimes, we bounce our teddy to the beat as we sing the story. We say goodbye to our friends and put them away for the day before moving on to other things.

DAY 3:

We go over the expectations again and bring out our buddies. Each student is reminded that all teddy bears are unique and special in their own way - just like students! We want to be happy that we have a special friend, even if it's not our favorite. This way, students will have several bear friends by the end of the unit. After everyone has a buddy, we bring out some vocal explorations. We do the first few together to warm up our voices. Then, I have different students come up with their teddy bear and create a pathway. It's also fun to have the teddy bear follow the path, either in the air or on the floor. Afterwards, each student creates a pathway for their teddy bear to follow with their voices. It's so fun to see what the students come up with for their friends! I've included this resource for you FREE below. It comes with five pre-made pathways, five blank pathways and two worksheets for students to create their own. Enjoy!

DAY 4:
Today is a really fun day! After passing our the teddy bears, we talk about movement. Just like kids - teddy bears need to move around and be active to feel good. First, we move our teddy bears to the beat by bouncing them on our laps. Then, we stand up and bounce them on our head, arms, knee, etc. From there, we move around the room. I have students jump, skip, walk, clap, etc. with their teddy bear friend. Sometimes, we even play freeze dance with them! I like using John Feierabend's "Keeping the Beat" CD because it has a variety of music on it. 

When we're finishing moving, we sing some songs about teddy bears. Here are some ideas:

• The Bear Went Over the Mountain
• We're Going on a Bear Hunt
• Tango Teddy (Music K8)
• The Other Day (I Met a Bear)
• The Great Outdoors

DAY 5:

On this day, we usually have to say goodbye to our furry friends. We start by singing the song "Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear" and do the actions with our teddy bears. Then, we talk about how the bears have to go home to their school now. If students are focusing on a certain letter of the alphabet or writing feature, we will create a card to send with our friends. I've had students draw pictures before, as well as practice writing in between the lines. It all depends on the class, but it's a nice way for the kids to have some closure but know that they will return again. 

With several classes, I've done this set from Linda at Floating Down the River! It has several wonderful activities for teddy bears. I love the instrument playing with Goldilocks and the Three Bears. It works well for a review the following year with my 1st graders, as well as the writing template she includes. Great ideas!

The more I use this small unit, the more I think about moving it to the beginning of the year. I love how it helps with behavior right now, but a reassuring friend at the beginning of the year is always nice too. Who knows?? There are many different activities, assessments and ideas that can be done with teddy bears. I hope this has inspired you to get out some teddy bears and share with your younger students. Remember to click on the freebie above for a fun vocal exploration activity! 

Workshop Wonders

Sorry it's been awhile! These past few months have been full of stuff. 

Anyways, I'm sharing some ideas that came from the workshop I attended today. It was great to get together as a small group of elementary music teachers. We all have neat ideas and experiences to share with others from our classrooms.

Here's a great photo of "Heel and Toe Polka" by my friend and former classmate Lydia! She shared the scaffolding for this fun day with music by New England Dancing Masters.

I also learned a neat trick for teaching different partners - BEADS! I don't know how I didn't think of this before. You can have partners wear two different colored bead necklaces or have one partner wear one and the other not. It helps them look for their next partner and doesn't create chaos. So fun! You can buy them in bulk from Oriental Trading. It would even be fun to get these in our school colors!

 

I also learned some fun body percussion for the song "Oats, Peas, Beans." To begin, have the students pat the beat or march in place. Next, sing the song with something on "oats" (maybe snaps?). Do it again and add something for peas (clap). Finish with something for beans (pat). Then, add them all together and sing the song. See if the kids can sing the whole song while they are marching and doing the body percussion pieces. Next class period, add unpitched percussion in place of the body percussion. Cool!

My contribution was about children's literature and music lessons. I shared a fun movement activity with the book "My Many Colored Days" by Dr. Seuss. It's wonderful to talk about feelings or do a collaborate lesson with the guidance counselor and art teacher. You can find it in my movement and literature bundle here: 

  

I didn't get a chance to present this book, but it's really fun for those wiggle days. You can read the story and add egg shakers on the "scratch Shaggy Dog's back" or split the group up and have one group do the "scratch Shaggy Dog's back" and the other do "the itch came back!" The kids love egg shakers and they fit perfectly into their little hands.

If you aren't able to meet with other elementary music teachers at least once a year, you should think about creating a professional development day. It's wonderful to connect with others and share ideas!

Copyright in Music

Hello! Sorry it has been so long. Blogging has definitely gotten away from me these past few months.

Today I'm going to be sharing some of my ideas and lessons for discussing copyright in the world of music. Our school is 1:1, meaning each student has a laptop or iPad for their work during school. We also have a lab for each side of the building, a mobile cart and a set of iPad minis in my music room.
This year, our focus has been on digital citizenship. Digital citizenship is using proper netiquette, observing copyright and creating a positive presence online. Each month, we have an hour long PD session to learn about appropriate techniques and lessons to help our students with digital citizenship. While this job generally goes to the classroom teacher, I really want to solidify and encourage what's going on in the students' classrooms. 
Fifth grade has always been a struggle for me. They have the option of band and/or chorus, but also have general music. The students are at that point in their life where they are starting to feel grown-up, but don't always act that way. I am constantly looking for new activities, units, brain breaks, etc. that appeal to them. At the same time, I want them to be aware of what is currently going on in the music world.
Last month, I opted to do an online digital citizenship class in lieu of the monthly meetings. I was really excited....until they expected me to create a unit like a classroom teacher. UGH! Yes that is important...but I'd love to do several lessons about online bullying or copyright. I ended up just doing a general unit with extra music stuff added in. Then, I stumbled upon a newer issue of Activate! Magazine. It talked about Weird Al Yankovic and his use of parody. BINGO! This would be a great lesson to incorporate copyright!
To start, my students used the bio in the magazine to learn about him. You can also show your students his two children's books. There were two kinds of worksheets included in the issue, which work well for substitute or "no-talking" days. 








The next day was the best! We use Symbaloo in our building so students can access everything in one spot. I created a tile for Weird Al and put my information in. I used SafeShare to create two clean copies of Weird Al songs. From there, I created a Google Form for students to record their favorite, an explanation of why and then finally the importance of copyright. I loved reading their responses!

Five Favorite Pins of November

Hooray - it's fall! I can't believe that Thanksgiving is in two weeks. Where has the year gone? 
It's time for my five favorite pins of November, courtesy of Mrs. Miracle's Music Room!

#1: We Wish You a Merry Christmas (with cups!)

I love this idea! I used Wendy's cup tapping activities last year with "We Three Kings." Check it out here: Amahl and the Night Visitors
It's sure to be a hit with your students, young and old! 

#2: Operation "Got Your 6"

Veterans Day is a community wide celebration for our school district. I want my students to know the importance of our country and those who protect it. However, it's hard for younger students to understand this. I love how Michelle Obama teamed up with the Penguins to explain the importance of Veterans Day! I showed this to my classes this past week.

#3: Audience Behavior

Check out this great post from Tracy King about audience behavior. She even includes a sample script! Wonderful to check out in preparation for all of those holiday concerts.

#4: Tshirt

This tshirt is hilarious! I might just have to get it to see who gets the joke in my school.

#5: Guide Sub Tub

I have been trying to find a way to teach about Guido since I started. This Sub Tub Stuffer is great! I might actually just use it as a real lesson for my older students. Check it out!

I hope all is well with your school year! We had rain, sun, hail, wind and snow all in one day this week. It's never boring around here!