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Music Teachers Chatboard

song

by Tch1

Feb 8, 2015

Hi All,

I've been trying to find the song "A Book is a Magic Carpet". I don't know who wrote it. Does anyone know if it might be from a classroom musical or a series?

Thanks!

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joyfulmusicteacher if you go to youtube video # v=INBQ9fcK_Vs

It may be in a music series, or a book set to music. But according to the comments I saw at the youtube site, someone remembers doing this show 10 years ago....so maybe it is from an older music series.

The video names a certain school and you could contact them to get more info.

...See More

Feb 9, 2015

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Cough cough

by Joanne

Feb 3, 2015

As a music teacher, it's so frustrating to try and teach with that nagging cough (that lasts for weeks) each year. I can't stay home just because of a cough, when the rest of me feels fine, and I don't wish to, anyhow. Do you guys have any tricks to talk and sing less while teaching Music during this coughing season? I don't want to resort to showi...See More

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Joanne Thanks so much!

On 2/04/15, Charlotte wrote: > With some classes, I've been able to make it a game. I try to > communicate everything to them without speaking, and they do > the same. Obviously it can't last the entire music class, but > I was surprised at how much time I could fill. For example, I > could teach a dance with...See More

Feb 8, 2015

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Joanne These look great! Thanks!

On 2/04/15, JJ-AZ wrote: > I came across some neat Carnival of the Animals activities on > Teachers pay Teachers website by Tracy King - The Bulletin > Board Lady. They were only $4 and called "Carnival of the > Animals Listening Logs-Listening Journals" if you want to > search for it on t...See MoreThese look great! Thanks!

On 2/04/15, JJ-AZ wrote: > I came across some neat Carnival of the Animals activities on > Teachers pay Teachers website by Tracy King - The Bulletin > Board Lady. They were only $4 and called "Carnival of the > Animals Listening Logs-Listening Journals" if you want to > search for it on their site. Geared toward K-3. > > > > Anyway, there are different versions of each activity - some > are drawing pictures (make a prediction about what animal you > think you're hearing, then find out after if you were right), > others are checking off things they hear in the music with > regards to tempo, dynamics, etc. If you aren't feeling well, > then you could always add on a coloring page the kids could > pick from their favorite piece they listened to today and > color it or draw a picture of their favorite piece, etc. > > > > There are also some great listening glyphs I've come across > on Teachers pay Teachers also. They have great suggestions > for music to use and the kids have to color the picture > according to what they hear. For example: color the hat red > if music is mostly loud, color the hat green if the music is > mostly quiet. Yellow shoes if you liked it, orange shoes if > you didn't like it, those kinds of things. My younger kiddos > have always enjoyed those activities with subs, no reason you > couldn't do some of them when you aren't feeling up to snuff. > > > > For the older kids, there are also some great journal writing > lessons (again on Teachers pay teachers!) that are based > around a composer - one I'm thinking of was when we were > doing the Nutcracker and we learned that Tchaikovsky's family > didn't want him to go into music and made him study law at > first instead. So the task for the student was to write a > persuasive letter convincing young Tchaikovsky to go into > music and why it would be a good thing. There was a whole > pack of these composer writing things, but I can't remember > who posted them. But I know I got them on TpT! Love that > site. :-) > > > > Hope some of these ideas helped a bit. Hope you get better > soon!

Feb 8, 2015

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Format

by anon

Feb 5, 2015

Do your principals insist that you teach music like a

classroom teachers teaches - same format lesson plans,

specify how the objective should be written, etc? If we

are using a Kodaly format, it really isn't correct to say

we are going to prepare for s0 mi, etc. I just feel

like we are so overmanage...See More

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Veuzent First, I will say I retired three years ago so am not certain how my replacement is handling the lesson plan format now. However, when I was teaching I did use the approved format for two reasons: 1) I was showing my colleagues I could be a team player and 2) I was demonstrating that music is an academic curriculum and worth maintaining in our scho...See More

Feb 5, 2015

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Mrs H I'm facing the same thing right now. To maintain the discovery learning of the Kodaly method, I'm trying to use I Can statements that are just vague enough, like "I Can discover a new pitch." Or "I Can read a rhythm with four sounds to a beat." Fortunately my evaluating principal is interested in hearing more about the method, a...See More

Feb 6, 2015

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got an ipad

by Charlotte

Feb 3, 2015

I got an iPad for my classroom, and I might try for a grant to get more. I'm hoping to do more than download a bunch of apps for the kids to use for play (though I will probably do that for centers days). How do you use iPads in an interactive way in your classroom? I will have access to that mirroring technology, which will allow me to display wha...See More

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Val Notability for rhythm dictation Notability for note taking. Tabletop free version for composition. GarageBand if you can afford getting it on all iPads Mlm from Alfred Melody street Percussiveinstruments 360 Thumb jam Fruity loops Note perfect Class dojo Blob chorus Itooch music Puffin browser

On 2/03/15, Charlotte wrote: > I got an iPa...See More

Feb 3, 2015

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Any Missouri Music Teachers doing SLO's

by Gary

Jan 21, 2015

Are there any music teachers in Missouri doing SLO's. I looked on the DESE website on the toolbox and printed off the SLO template. My principal want all the teachers to do SLO's on all assignments. We use the SIS system and record all our lesson plans on it and my principal told me I had to have an assignment everyday with point possible and descr...See More

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mocrystal Where do you teach in Missouri?

It sounds like what he really wants are smart goals, not SLOs. If that is the case, you could have a goal like 90&37; of whatever students will be able to perform this song with 95&37; accuracy using such and such rubric. SLOs are much more involved. They start with a smart goal, but then require pr...See More

Jan 30, 2015

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gary On 1/30/15, mocrystal wrote:
> Where do you teach in Missouri?
>
> It sounds like what he really wants are smart goals, not
> SLOs. If that is the case, you could have a goal like 90&37;
> of whatever students will be able to perform this song
> with 95&37; accuracy using such and such rubric. SLOs are...See More

Feb 2, 2015

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Elementary choir shirts?

by 3rd year

Jan 28, 2015

Hi all.

My school has very little money, and my elementary choir is starting to perform for some competitions. (Our parents have very little money, too.)

Has anyone bought choir t-shirts that they keep as school property and let the kids wear for concerts/competitions?

I know the kids would rather have a keepsake to own, ...See More

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JJ-AZ Does your PTO have enough funds where they could pay for choir shirts each year? I think the different sizes you would need each year could make having them available a bit difficult. (my 3-5 graders wear youth medium all the way up to adult large)

What about a screen printer/company in the community you could contact who would be willing ...See More

Jan 28, 2015

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7th grade singing in unison

by Gary

Dec 12, 2014

My 7th grade this year can hardly sing in unison and sing in tune. I only get half the 7th grade one semester and the other half 2nd semester. I tried to divide them and get them to sing parts and it was a train wreck. I even tried to get them to come in a lunch time and work but my principal nixed that idea. I do have some echo things going on bet...See More

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Gary On 12/30/14, DonnaR/CA wrote: > On 12/12/14, Gary wrote: >> My 7th grade this year can hardly sing in unison and sing >> in tune. > > There's something to be said for a good unison tone, so that's > really where you should start. Lots of "fire engine" noises > (but with 7th, don't call it that, as they don't wan...See MoreOn 12/30/14, DonnaR/CA wrote: > On 12/12/14, Gary wrote: >> My 7th grade this year can hardly sing in unison and sing >> in tune. > > There's something to be said for a good unison tone, so that's > really where you should start. Lots of "fire engine" noises > (but with 7th, don't call it that, as they don't want to be > treated like babies), landing on one pitch. Then proceed to > two pitches -- sol-mi. Then sol-mi-la. Then add do - high and > low. Keep this up every single rehearsal, as a warmup. Have > them grab their ribcage, and do "Ch-ch-whee!" as an echo to > YOU. Change that "whee!" to fire engine noises, ghostly > sounds, and land on a pitch every time, challenging them to > land on that pitch. > > Never underestimate the power of a round! My 7-8's loved > "Black Socks", "Missus Shady", "One-Bottle-of-Pop", as their > favorites. I think it's the lyrics that appealed, but the > tunes are rather "contagious" as well. > > Have you had Kodaly training? Level I is supposed to be for > Kinder-first grade, but I found that it was also very helpful > for beginning singers at ANY level. It's all in your approach > to it. I've taught K-12 vocal music, and while I am no longer > teaching it full time, I still grab for that Kodaly Level I > training. > > Donna

I did a couple of rounds with them and it worked out. I do teach solfeggio and I am certified in Kodaly. I have three 7th grade classes and I have to put them together and sing the same songs for the concert ( principal's orders). He only lets me have them one time as a group before the concert ( the day of the concert) so the only time they get to practice as an entire group is the day of the concert. My classes are not even either, I had 20 girls and 1 boy in one of my 7th grade classes and in the other I had 12 boys and 2 girls. My 3rd 7th grade class was more even in numbers. It is hard to have the boys sing one part and the girls sing another when it is arranged this way so each class sang one part each and we did 2 3-part rounds on 2 songs. The rest was in unison. It worked out and they sounded great ( standing ovation from the audience) . Thanks for your imput, I really appreciate it. My principal is a retired master Sargent in the army and he runs the school that way. If it is not his idea then it's not a good idea and it won't fly.

Jan 8, 2015

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bec I can't imagine having a principal like that. I feel for you. Why do they try to dictate something they know nothing about. Our principal won't let us have much class time but we get together after school when getting ready for a program. How can you even figure out how to get on and off the risers, much less work on blend and balance in only one h...See More

Jan 26, 2015

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4th Grade Laziness

by Kate

Jan 26, 2015

Is anyone else experiencing a 4th grade laziness trend with beginning band? Last year my 4th grade was amazing..I was able to get through our entire lesson book and onto book 2. (For my students, this is an accomplishment) This year my 4th grade band, mainly my trumpets, cannot play past a C. They have been with me since September and again are not...See More

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Eddie Lewis I've been teaching trumpet lessons since 1980. I've taught literally hundreds of beginners over the course of my career. It is not uncommon for fourth graders to have difficulty playing up to tuning note C. Some do well at that age, but not all. I do believe it is a physical development thing.

My approach is to give them more to practice ...See MoreI've been teaching trumpet lessons since 1980. I've taught literally hundreds of beginners over the course of my career. It is not uncommon for fourth graders to have difficulty playing up to tuning note C. Some do well at that age, but not all. I do believe it is a physical development thing.

My approach is to give them more to practice that does NOT go higher than what they can play. This encourages them to spend more time on the horn and more time turns into stronger embouchures.

I can tell you that some of the best students I ever had were the ones I started off like that, some of which didn't have the lip strength to play bottom line E. I think these students learn how to grow strength sooner than the others and end up using that knowledge and experience to their advantage a few years later.

Of course, the problem is finding material for them to practice that fits their range. There isn't much of it out there. I have what I've written, but it's not in publishable form as of yet.

On 1/26/15, Kate wrote: > Is anyone else experiencing a 4th grade laziness trend with > beginning band? Last year my 4th grade was amazing..I was > able to get through our entire lesson book and onto book 2. > (For my students, this is an accomplishment) This year my > 4th grade band, mainly my trumpets, cannot play past a C. > They have been with me since September and again are not > able to do anything. They are not practicing, half of them > do not have books ( I do not have enough money in my budget > to purchase books for them.) I do not know if it is a > combination of not knowing what to practice, how to > practice, or like I said just pure laziness. > My band classes this year are tight time wise. I feel so > incredibly rushed because I have to walk them to and from > their lessons. Their classroom teachers rarely let the kids > out on time and I have had to double up with lessons so > them trumpets are not the only instrument in their lessons, > but I spend the majority of my time addressing their > "issues." I am looking for ideas on how to help them. They > are buzzing correctly, they understand note values, their > mouth pieces are placed correctly on their lips, but asked > to play, they just can't. HELP!!!

Jan 26, 2015

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Lazy? Or have only had 13-14 lessons? Maybe your program is set up differently than many. But, most that start in grade 4 have once a week lessons.

You probably didn't have lessons the first week or so of school, as you were likely in the sign up process.

So, have these kids even had more than about 13-14 lessons?

Our grade 4/5 program has the goal to finish ...See MoreMaybe your program is set up differently than many. But, most that start in grade 4 have once a week lessons.

You probably didn't have lessons the first week or so of school, as you were likely in the sign up process.

So, have these kids even had more than about 13-14 lessons?

Our grade 4/5 program has the goal to finish Book 1 in those two elementary years.

Maybe part of the problem is that you are simply expecting way too much, too fast.

On 1/26/15, Eddie Lewis wrote: > I've been teaching trumpet lessons since 1980. I've taught > literally hundreds of beginners over the course of my career. > It is not uncommon for fourth graders to have difficulty > playing up to tuning note C. Some do well at that age, but not > all. I do believe it is a physical development thing. > > My approach is to give them more to practice that does NOT go > higher than what they can play. This encourages them to spend > more time on the horn and more time turns into stronger > embouchures. > > I can tell you that some of the best students I ever had were > the ones I started off like that, some of which didn't have > the lip strength to play bottom line E. I think these students > learn how to grow strength sooner than the others and end up > using that knowledge and experience to their advantage a few > years later. > > Of course, the problem is finding material for them to > practice that fits their range. There isn't much of it out > there. I have what I've written, but it's not in publishable > form as of yet. > > On 1/26/15, Kate wrote: >> Is anyone else experiencing a 4th grade laziness trend with >> beginning band? Last year my 4th grade was amazing..I was >> able to get through our entire lesson book and onto book 2. >> (For my students, this is an accomplishment) This year my >> 4th grade band, mainly my trumpets, cannot play past a C. >> They have been with me since September and again are not >> able to do anything. They are not practicing, half of them >> do not have books ( I do not have enough money in my budget >> to purchase books for them.) I do not know if it is a >> combination of not knowing what to practice, how to >> practice, or like I said just pure laziness. >> My band classes this year are tight time wise. I feel so >> incredibly rushed because I have to walk them to and from >> their lessons. Their classroom teachers rarely let the kids >> out on time and I have had to double up with lessons so >> them trumpets are not the only instrument in their lessons, >> but I spend the majority of my time addressing their >> "issues." I am looking for ideas on how to help them. They >> are buzzing correctly, they understand note values, their >> mouth pieces are placed correctly on their lips, but asked >> to play, they just can't. HELP!!!

Jan 26, 2015

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Music reading help

by Cassie

Jan 15, 2015

I would some some suggestions on how to practice sight reading music for choir. I have dyslexia and musical memory problems a bit so any help would be great, thank you.

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