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Music Teachers Chatboard

scary schedule

by bec

Aug 7, 2016

I just saw my schedule for this year. I have choirs before school 2-4 days a week for 45 minutes, then my conference period is first thing in the morning, followed by four 50-minute classes with no break between, 30 minute lunch, 3 more 50 minute classes back to back, and after school duty. That is eight 50 minute classes aday plus afters school du...See More

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joyfulmusicteacher You are right, it is a brutal schedule. I usually have lots of suggestions. This one has me shaking my head.

Just found out, a fellow colleague has been forced to absorb the full load of 2 music teachers into her class load, with no overload pay. K-12 certified? yes, but given Zero notice till the week before school. (this teacher does not...See More

Aug 22, 2016

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lis Yes, that is brutal! I'm assuming you are in a middle or high school. But I think if you have choirs that are BEFORE school hours, you HAVE to have some prep. Have you talked this over with your principal? If you could at least not have duty, it would help a little! Also, if you can teach the same lesson to some of the classes that would help. I'm ...See More

Aug 30, 2016

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Flexible seating

by Liz

Aug 21, 2016

Was wondering if anyone has tried this? I'm interested in the concept but am not sure what it would look like in a music classroom. Any thoughts?

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mdmusic I teach K-5 music and have flexible seating in a way. I have my chairs divided into groups with colors taped to each group, (i.e. orange team, red,.. etc). The kids are assigned to a team but can sit in any chair in that team. They can get up and move to empty chairs in that team, or trade, any time they wish. This has cut down on issues with class...See More

Aug 29, 2016

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How to check if student can carry a harmony part?

by Gary

Aug 14, 2016

Can anyone give me suggestions of easy songs to use so I can check if the student can carry a harmony part. Also suggestions as how to do this with a large group. Thanks.

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Use a round It will show up right away who can do it or not, and you only have to teach one thing.

In a large group have everyone sing first, and the "testee" come in alone (you can use a large cardboard tube put up to your ear to be able to hear them in isolation.

On 8/14/16, Gary wrote: > Can anyone give me suggestions of easy ...See More

Aug 14, 2016

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Angela "My County tis of thee" worked well individually with my 6th graders. I would play crazy nonsense on the piano while they sang. Also, I would teach the harmony to the whole class until they heard it as "the melody," (including where their notes occurred in the accompianment (sp), and only after they all had it cold would I teach...See More

Aug 21, 2016

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DIY Recorder cleaner spray?

by V. Mora

Jun 4, 2016

Does anyone know a combination of alcohol and water or something that you can put in a bottle to spray down recorders before the next class comes and uses it?

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Brenda I think you should not share recorders between classes like this. If you are using wood recorders, each student should have her/his own instrument. If you are using plastic recorders, they can be well-sanitized by running them through the dishwasher. Many school cafeterias are happy to do this for you.

Aug 15, 2016

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DonnaR/CA My school did not have dishwashers except the by-your-hands type, and they could not get involved in recorder washing. So, here's what I did:

At the beginning of every "recorder semester", I sent home an order blank for a recorder and a book. The parent could order both, or only one (if they already had an older child who went th...See More

Aug 20, 2016

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Christmas in August

by Me agian

Aug 6, 2016

Hope you have had a great summer. I am thinking about my choir Christmas program and looking for suggestions. I confess to loving classical music and usually picking serious music for my kids to sing. This year though I really feel the need to do more a few more popular selections - more of a fun theme. Does any one have any suggestions for fun son...See More

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op Sorry, grade level is 4th and 5th grade. It is a select choir so they are pretty decent singers, but want some songs that will just sound pretty, not too difficult this early in the year. Last year I picked songs that were too hard - too time consuming and it was stressful. Thanks Donna.

Aug 7, 2016

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joyfulmusicteacher Jill Gallina partner songs. On a Starlit Night. quiet and lovely but not overdone.

Winter Fantasy pairs up with JIngle Bells. More peppy

Variations on Fa La La is fun to sing.

All of these were audience winners.

Aug 16, 2016

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Songwriters Hall of Fame Inductee Books

by Barbara

Aug 16, 2016

I am an office manager for an event planning company. We have some brand new books left over from last years SHOF Event. Containing classic songs written by inductees. Please contact me if interested [email removed]

Sample songs: Lean on Me, American Pie, Brown Eyed Girl, Both Sides Now, Blueberry Hill, Fire and Rain, Candle In the Wind, W...See More

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Grading choir

by Leslie

Jul 31, 2016

I have taught music at the same Elementary school for 18 years. I have always taught non graded K-6. This year is a huge transitional year for us because we are adding 7th grade as the beginning of the process of adding a middle school. In our district students in middle school are graded in music. I will have a beginning 7th grade choir this year....See More

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Leslie Donna, Thanks! This gave me a few things to think about!

Aug 7, 2016

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Brenda Leslie, I have not taught 7th grade chorus, but I have taught chorus at the elementary, HS, and college level for a total of 40 years. I think there are several things you can do to ensure your students' success and your valid assessment of their progress. Here are my thoughts: (1) Have both long-range and short-range goals. Grades will be easier t...See MoreLeslie, I have not taught 7th grade chorus, but I have taught chorus at the elementary, HS, and college level for a total of 40 years. I think there are several things you can do to ensure your students' success and your valid assessment of their progress. Here are my thoughts: (1) Have both long-range and short-range goals. Grades will be easier to assign if you have a clear vision of where you want your students to go. They should have these goals shared with them early in the year so they can do their best. You should have guideposts for evaluating their success. Rubrics are particularly good for this because everyone involved (students and their parents, teachers and administrators) can see what things are important for success and improvement. National and state standards, as well as those set by our national organizations, will lend gravity to your goals. (2) For each week, have enough variety in your activities that every child has a chance to show improvement. Those activities should include classroom singing (as a member of the choir and soloistically) that shows the student is learning the music being studied, is demonstrating age- and developmentally- appropriate vocal technique, is learning factual information (written work, written test, etc.), and is showing growth in music skills (music reading, sight-singing, pitch matching, etc). Try to make your evaluations as clear-cut as possible. Recording (audio only or videotaped) removes the possibility of being charged with partiality in evaluation. (3) Try to have at least a few activities that offer the option of success at a variety of levels. Ask for student evaluations of music, requiring them to use the language and terminology of music for their assessment. Come up with creative things that fit your particular students. Call upon community resources that you know will be supportive of your work. (4) Invite your administrators into your classroom and to your extracurricular activities. The more they see of your work, the more clearly they understand how you evaluate. Furthermore, administrators are more likely to be supportive, which can be especially good if any of your grades are ever disputed. (5) Lastly, look to your teaching colleagues for ideas on how to grade fairly, effectively, and creatively. Ideally, grades should not only show the progress a student has made, but also should be a good indicator or where the student might most successfully continue. Good luck with your school year!

Aug 15, 2016

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21st century attendance

by Rich

Aug 2, 2016

I teach large music ensembles for 20min blocks. Each time the kids rehearse we get a total of 20 min. I'm looking for a QUICK solution to take attendance for @100 kids. My thought was generating a QR code for each of them to tape to the back of their music folder that I could just scan as they walk in the door? Sounds like a great idea, right? Unfo...See More

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Veuzent Also, it might be useful to know grades/ages of student and what you teach in your classes - choral? instrumental and kind?, etc.

Aug 3, 2016

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Techi I have large somewhat unstructured drama classes. I put numbers on the backs of chairs. Everyone's in their seat when the bell rings. just look for the numbers you can see and mark them absent. Takes less than a minute.

On 8/02/16, Rich wrote: > I teach large music ensembles for 20min blocks. Each > time the kids rehearse we get a to...See More

Aug 13, 2016

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Holly and The Ivy League

by Leslie

Aug 13, 2016

Has anyone done this musical? It is mostly out of print so I can only get the singer's edition. Does anyone know if the singer's edition has the script in it?

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