1st Grade – Mallets, Music, Movement and More

Literature, Movement, Orff, Seasonal, Singing

Leaf Man

November 6, 2018 Allison Croskey

Fall in Ohio is beautiful! There are so many colorful things to see outside. I have a lot of trees in my backyard so it is a symphony of colors everyday once the leaves start to change. This means it is a great time of year for my lesson associated with the book "Leaf Man". … Continue reading Leaf Man

Movement, Seasonal

Spooky Fun

October 22, 2018 Allison Croskey

It's October!!! I think Halloween/Fall music is one of my favorite seasons to teach in the classroom. There are so many things that can be done and so much that can be listened to. Students love playing games with pumpkins, ghosts, and all kinds of creatures. I'm going to share today one of the story-songs… Continue reading Spooky Fun

Instruments, Literature, Movement, Orff, Rhythm, Singing

Project Based Learning: Composition

September 26, 2018 Allison Croskey

Last week I presented at our Board of Education meeting about Project Based Learning in the music room. I want to share with you what I shared with them. I think that almost all of what I do in my Orff classroom is Project Based Learning, PBL. I just had a discussion with a colleague… Continue reading Project Based Learning: Composition

Instruments, Movement, Rhythm, Seasonal, Singing, Solfege, Teacher Ideas

Back to School

August 24, 2018August 23, 2018 Allison Croskey

This is my second week of school and we are in full swing now! For me back to school is an exciting time and I love seeing my students again and getting to make music with them. I teacher 1st-4th graders, so it is nice when I see my 2nd-4th graders they already know my… Continue reading Back to School

Orff, Singing

Playing with Audiation

April 12, 2018 Allison Croskey

My students love doing songs when we "sing in our head" and I love the musicianship it makes them have. It is a challenge for them and a great way for me to see who really has a grasp on the song. This is the basic principal of audiation is... The Gordon Institute for Music… Continue reading Playing with Audiation

Instruments, Movement, Orff, Recorder, Rhythm, Seasonal, Singing, Solfege

Raining All Day Long

April 4, 2018April 4, 2018 Allison Croskey

There has been so much rain recently. I know it's spring but I don't think the flowers, grass and trees need this much to drink! Oh Rain please go away! Rain, rain go away. This classic children's song can be used for so many things. From So/Mi to recorder playing, to whatever your imagination thinks… Continue reading Raining All Day Long

Instruments, Orff, Rhythm, Seasonal, Singing

Apple Tree…Fun for Me

March 18, 2018March 18, 2018 Allison Croskey

Apple Tree, Apple Tree is one of my favorite classics to do in the fall. I have created 5-6 lessons just using this song. I use this in 3 grade levels, spiraling the curriculum as I progress. If you aren't familiar with Apple Tree here is the text: In first grade and beyond we just… Continue reading Apple Tree…Fun for Me