I love that after 35 years in the early childhood and elementary music classroom, I am still excited about the start of another school year! Looking around Music Box, I am reminded of years of my favorite back to school, fall, Halloween and Thankgiving favorites. If...
Activities
Recorder Brands
Recently, a teacher was discussing what brand of recorders to choose for her elementary class. Some of the suggestions were far from the quality that I insist on for my students. I know some settings have very limited resources but if you are able to come up...
Gathering Drum and more
I'm looking for activity suggestions for children birth-3 years of age using the gathering drum. My students have varying degrees of abilities. Some have low muscle tone and aren't able to move their bodies easily. Some have speech difficulty. Anyone else out there...
Back to School Music
Many Music Box teachers are preparing for their return to school. I thought I would highlight a few places to look on Music Box for some review or something new for your school year. Hopefully this will also help new members find their way around Music Box....
What’s the #1 Instrument for Young Kids?
Making up verses, making up movement, decisions on form, working with others -- these are just a few of the things we see in the music room that come from a creative Orff approach. “Catching” them with ideas and showing them that you value their input...
5 Little Monkeys and One Month Left to Save Big!
It's not just a song! “Five Little Monkeys” has drama, emotion, adventure, suspense, and joy! In this clip, watch and listen to our young ones pretend to be monkeys as they go for a walk, spread out their blankets, climb a tree, sneak around, and more....
Fall Music Lesson Plans – An Exciting Topic to Sing About!
Maximum participation happens when our music lesson is about COSTUMES! You can see and feel the excitement rise when you talk about the fun of seeing trick-or-treaters at your door. Explain to your class that you would love to know their favorite costume so we will...
A peek at Rhythm Readers Music Lesson Plans
Here's a bit from one of our Rhythm Reader plans showing the movement part of the lesson. This is in lesson 3 & 4, based on half notes for the slow walk to look for frogs (remember, we just had "Froggy Goes to School" to learn our rules and for pitch matching and now...
A Turkey Feathers Playlist
First of all, big thanks to Gary King and Shenanigans for this, their music is fabulous. This recording, Cross Dance, is from a collection Music Rhapsody uses in all levels of lesson plans, early childhood to elementary, called Our Favorite Shenanigans. Music Rhapsody...
Pumpkin Game and a Video Request
Year after year, I am delighted with the children's singing and drawing when playing this pumpkin game (this video and activity is from Rhythm Readers Lesson Plans). I've never had two finished pumpkins that look alike! This week, I had a large grade 1 class and the...