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
Tag: 4th Grade
Digital Recorder Karate
Tons of music classrooms utilize a program called Recorder Karate. This collection of songs and teaching materials are available through Music K-8, but many teachers also create their own versions to fit their classroom needs. I have done the latter, creating my own version of Recorder Karate to use in my classroom. No matter what… Continue reading Digital Recorder Karate
Color Wheel
This is a lesson I developed for my level 3 Orff Schulwerk teacher education course. I wanted to challenge myself to create a lesson that didn’t use any instruments, although you could expand it and take it there in the end. To begin I had a color wheel printed and cut out, I laid the… Continue reading Color Wheel
Back to School
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
Playing with Audiation
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
Raining All Day Long
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
Native American Music
It's November, which means it is time for Native American Music! I have compiled a unit utilizing 5 Native American folk songs. These songs come from 5 varying tribes all over the United States. Within the unit there is cultural information for each tribe that can be incorporated into the lessons. In the past I… Continue reading Native American Music
