Who loves playing games with their students? *raises hand* Games are not only fun and a great motivator but they also engage our students and invite learning. When we are teaching online, it can sometimes be a little tricky playing a favorite game that you normally...
Free Independent Music Activities for Students
With so many teachers transitioning their students to online or video lessons right now, I wanted to share some of my free music activity resources that work perfectly for students to use at home. These are all resources that can easily be done independently. If...
Christmas or Winter Camp (Music Teacher Tip #24)
Over 20 years ago, I started what became one of my big win-wins in my studio. After years of frustration, I decided to replace regular lessons in December with a holiday camp. I call my camp, Christmas camp but it can really be called whatever you want. Winter,...
Getting to Know You Activities (Music Teacher Tip #18)
It's back to school time, which means you will want some fun getting to know you activities in your arsenal. Getting to know our students help create a sense of belonging. It can help us when we are trying to figure out what music will motivate them. It also lets them...
The Sheet Music Heist
Dissonance has been up to no good. He has caused chaos in the sheet music world causing the notes to crash into each other. He must be stopped before music as we know it is completely destroyed! Luckily the Superhero Apprentices are ready to help! Each challenge will...
Entrance and Exit Engagement Music Teacher Tip #8)
The brain has approx. 70,000 thoughts per day. 60,000 stimuli per second. No wonder we have a hard time remembering! In this teaching tip, you will learn what the recipe for an engaged brain is, relevance builders and 3 types of engagements. I share one of my...
Review: MUSIC… The Card Games!
I always love when I hear about a unique idea for a game that helps students learn, explore or create in a gamified way. MUSIC is a card game based on chords and chord progressions. The deck comes with 6 suggested games, but you can even use the deck of cards as a...
Rhythm Bowling
Last week we finished our last session of Christmas camp, Mission Santa and officially on our winter break. One of the missions students accomplished was "Power Rhythm" which was rhythm bowling. Rhythm bowling is the perfect cross-curricular activity combining music...
Adding a Video Element to a Creative Story Composition
Recently I added a video element to the Creative Story Compositions, FaLaLaLaLa and Fall Fun. I will be adding this element to all the creative story compositions later this month. Last week at Christmas camp I was able to try the new video element with my students...
Games, Games and MORE Games!
Games. Why do we love to play games? Whether it is a board game, a physical game, a video game, played in a group, or by yourself, games just make things more fun! But does it go beyond that? Are there actual benefits to playing games? Of course, there are! GAME...