May 23, 2025 | Activities, Teachers
Vivaldi’s Spring, from The Four Seasons, will inspire this active listening lesson. This download includes printable cards, PowerPoint, lesson options, ideas for props, and a listening map.
Big thanks to Eric Young for the assistance and listening map. This is now one of the hundreds of free downloads in Music Box, which is included with all lesson plans, recordings and activity videos in Music Rhapsody Membership.
Hope to see you for one of the Summer PDs!
May 23, 2025 | Classroom Management, Teachers
How to get their attention (musically)!
Visiting a friends new baby, my husband asked, “Why does the baby just look at you?” ME: “I‘m the one who sings to him!”
This is the same for my new student teachers in the 5 year old class. Stop talking to them, they will hear, listen and respond much better if you sing what you want them to do. “Time for a circle, time for a circle, time for a circle, here we go!” They hear talking all day long, everyday! Do the unexpected and sing your way through class!
Now the funny thing is if you want them to quickly learn a song, and participate in singing, STOP singing! “Grey Squirrel, Grey Squirrel, swish your bushy ________”
Here’s a great one for quick participation, babies – age 6.
May 23, 2025 | Activities, Teachers
Cock-A-Doodle-Doo! A hit for your youngest music makers, perfect for PK-1 – this is a delightful song for pitch matching, dancing and playing maracas! (If maracas are too loud to hear solos in large classes, scarves work well too.) See the activity video for a few lesson highlights.
May 23, 2025 | Activities, Teachers
February is the time! Love Activities, favorites of mine!
Red and pink, that’s your sign, Music classes oh so fine!
Here’s a February video playlist of recordings, dances, songs and games. Then visit Music Box and the Membership Curriculum for the detailed lesson plans, stories with music, and more, downloads all included free with membership, all for this wonderful love and friendship theme. Enjoy in February and all year round!
Not yet a member? Join the fun!
May 23, 2025 | Activities, Teachers
Here is a lively Hanukkah activity on the gathering drum that is great for your youngest music makers and students learning to read rhythm! Don’t have a gathering drum? Small unpitched percussion also works great! Don’t forget to use code HOLIDAY10 to get an extra 10% off all items in the shop!
Students play the steady beat on their knees and then the rhythm for the words “spin, spin, spin, win, win, win, or pat, pat, pat!” on the gathering drum. (3 quarter notes and a rest) The “Take A Potato” song is from the album Cha Cha Chanukah by the Shirettes. Members, you can find the lesson plan and recording in your Rhythm Readers curriculum!
Not yet a Music Rhapsody Member? Join the fun! Visit the teachers area free for 3 days to check out the curriculum. Join now to start 2025 with fresh, playful lessons.
