How do you learn up to 1000 students' names each year? It's a daunting task and I'm sharing practical advice that I've collected over the years from other music teachers to help you! This topic seems to pop up in the music teacher groups like clockwork each year - how in the world do I keep track of hundreds of names as the students come and go like a revolving door? Names are important and I have tried a few ways to help myself that might be helpful for you! First - keep a seating chart. I know the free spirits out there are going to resist - but hear me out. You don't have to keep them in ..read more

Do I need a Substitute Plans? YES, you will get sick - your classroom is a petri dish. YES, you will need a Sub Plans. Or a Sub Tub. (or Sub Binder or box or however you roll) If you have children, you know they'll get sick, so go ahead and prepare for it now. It doesn't have to be fancy, but it needs to be done so that when you get sick, you can set the tub on your desk/table and not have to create more work while you're sick. Last week, I shared with new teachers my favorite tips for thriving during their first year. Today, I'm sharing some general thoughts and guidelines for selecting ..read more

This time of year is usually pretty crazy in the music teacher world - with performances and end of the year activities and field trips, it's all usually a blur by the end of May. This year, with so many things shut down for the virus, I have a lot more time in the evenings to relax and decompress and think. I've been thinking about the things that I found helpful as a first year teacher - so I thought I would share them with you! 1. Plan Ahead at School (what you can) Things change so rapidly the first year at a school, so don't freak out if when your plans have to change, to ..read more

On the music teacher social media groups, the talk is all about moving to a cart and creating individual instrument packs. I'm loving the brainstorming and camaraderie during this crazy time! I am (luckily?) one of the few that is planning to be in an actual music classroom, instead of pushing in on a cart. While there are many benefits to being in my own space, I will definitely be making some changes to accommodate the physical distancing and cleaning procedures that will likely be in place in the fall. Here are some of the ideas I'm brainstorming to help create a calm, welcoming, but more ..read more

What are your favorite things to do with your class around Valentines Day? I hear that question in the music teacher groups around the end of January every year. So I'm sharing my favorite music activities and brain breaks for my classes in February! Pass an Object: Holiday Edition My younger students (Kindergarten and 1st grade) love to pass around objects while we sing. I have a set of wooden shapes for each holiday, but you could use foam shapes, valentines stuffed animals, or anything else you'd like (Lucy Locket's pocket perhaps?). We pass the object around the circle and sing a ..read more

It's difficult to make time in a busy schedule to read to classes, but I think it's important so I make an effort to read to my students as much as I can! In addition to reading to my classes, I try to leave a book for every class when I have a sub! It's something that subs like to do and the kids (usually!) don't mind. I did a Goodreads challenge the last few years and I read around 100 books a year! Before you are too impressed, let me say that I include ALL the books I read in my classroom (or in preparation for a class), too! Here are some of my highlights from this year:  Here We ..read more

Planning programs is a huge task! From picking the music, to preparing scripts and choreography, to fine-tuning the music and performance expectations, getting ready for a program can be a little scary at first. If you break it up into smaller chunks, it doesn't seem nearly as overwhelming. Check out the first post in this series here about planning backwards and Grade Level Practices. It happens in music rooms and performance spaces everywhere. Music teachers work tirelessly to teach performance pieces, add extra special moments in the show, put up decorations, print off programs. In the bl ..read more