Sunday, April 29, 2012
Teachers Pay Teachers
Hi, everyone! I'm so excited to let you know that I now have a store up and running on Teachers Pay Teachers. Just click the "Teachers Pay Teachers" badge here on the blog and it will take you right to it! I only have a few items available right now, but hope to add more soon. Right now you can download my "Let's Go Fly A Kite" lesson mentioned in Friday's blog post for FREE!
In Praise of No Pudge Brownies
So good. I. Cannot. Stand. It. But, are they still considered "no pudge" if you eat the whole pan by yourself...?
Friday, April 27, 2012
What We Did This Week
Can you believe it's May next week?! Part of me is relieved, but part of me is also feeling slightly panicky. How will I ever get everything accomplished that I need to in the next 24 days? Before I dwell on what possibly won't get done, here's what did get done this week:
P: Kindergarten-- still working on that cute program, "Mooncake." Only about a week and a half until performance time!
1st-- We did a fun little lesson called "Whether the Weather" by Lynn Kleiner. It not only includes a cooperative group activity with un-pitched percussion instruments, but also gives the kiddos a chance to work with the difference between the words "whether" and "weather".
2nd-- Ahh! I had a great last-minute lesson idea hit me for the song "Let's Go Fly a Kite." It dawned on me about 10 mintues before they showed up for class, so I scrapped what I originally had planned and did this lesson instead. I can't wait to get it all put together and share it!
3rd-- Wrapped up our "Peter and the Wolf" unit. Next week we will begin to explore mariachi!
4th-- Finished up our "John Kanaka" project with some recorder improvisation. They kiddos really had fun with this one!
5th-- Ugh....remember last week when I mentioned I was worried about their blues unit assessments? My fears were realized. I think I'm going to have to do a separate post on this one--advice/suggestions will be needed!
6th-- We finished viewing "The Sound of Music" and are now moving into the group project phase of the unit. I also want to get all of my stuff put together for these unit lessons and share with you.
R: Kindergarten-- same as P, but their program performance isn't for about 3 more weeks.
1st-- Finished "Wildlife Symphony" and spent a good chunk of time reviewing classroom procedures. What is it about this time of year that makes those little stinkers totally throw rules and procedures out the window?!
2nd-- Finished watching "The Orchestra" and read the book "The Remarkable Farkle McBride" by John Lithgow. I absolutely LOVE using this book to help introduce the instrument families of the orchestra.
3rd-- We're continuing our work with absolute pitch. They read from notation and played on barred instruments the Mozart melody used for "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star"/"ABC Song"/"Baa Baa Black Sheep." They caught on so quickly--I was so proud! Next week they'll begin composing their own melodies.
4th-- Same as 4th grade at P.
5th-- Unfortunately, same results as at P. Like I said--gonna need a separate post on this one. :(
6th- We're about a day behind my 6th graders at P for "The Sound of Music" unit. They'll finish viewing the movie on Tuesday and will begin the group project Thursday.
I'll be back soon seeking your wisdom and advice on what to do about my 5th Grade, erm, "blues". (Uff--bad pun......) Have a great weekend, everyone!
P: Kindergarten-- still working on that cute program, "Mooncake." Only about a week and a half until performance time!
1st-- We did a fun little lesson called "Whether the Weather" by Lynn Kleiner. It not only includes a cooperative group activity with un-pitched percussion instruments, but also gives the kiddos a chance to work with the difference between the words "whether" and "weather".
2nd-- Ahh! I had a great last-minute lesson idea hit me for the song "Let's Go Fly a Kite." It dawned on me about 10 mintues before they showed up for class, so I scrapped what I originally had planned and did this lesson instead. I can't wait to get it all put together and share it!
3rd-- Wrapped up our "Peter and the Wolf" unit. Next week we will begin to explore mariachi!
4th-- Finished up our "John Kanaka" project with some recorder improvisation. They kiddos really had fun with this one!
5th-- Ugh....remember last week when I mentioned I was worried about their blues unit assessments? My fears were realized. I think I'm going to have to do a separate post on this one--advice/suggestions will be needed!
6th-- We finished viewing "The Sound of Music" and are now moving into the group project phase of the unit. I also want to get all of my stuff put together for these unit lessons and share with you.
R: Kindergarten-- same as P, but their program performance isn't for about 3 more weeks.
1st-- Finished "Wildlife Symphony" and spent a good chunk of time reviewing classroom procedures. What is it about this time of year that makes those little stinkers totally throw rules and procedures out the window?!
2nd-- Finished watching "The Orchestra" and read the book "The Remarkable Farkle McBride" by John Lithgow. I absolutely LOVE using this book to help introduce the instrument families of the orchestra.
3rd-- We're continuing our work with absolute pitch. They read from notation and played on barred instruments the Mozart melody used for "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star"/"ABC Song"/"Baa Baa Black Sheep." They caught on so quickly--I was so proud! Next week they'll begin composing their own melodies.
4th-- Same as 4th grade at P.
5th-- Unfortunately, same results as at P. Like I said--gonna need a separate post on this one. :(
6th- We're about a day behind my 6th graders at P for "The Sound of Music" unit. They'll finish viewing the movie on Tuesday and will begin the group project Thursday.
I'll be back soon seeking your wisdom and advice on what to do about my 5th Grade, erm, "blues". (Uff--bad pun......) Have a great weekend, everyone!
Sunday, April 22, 2012
In Praise of the Black Yoga Pant
***This post is for my colleague, friend, and fellow yoga pant-enthusiast, Lindsey***
Ok, while this isn't really related to teaching, I just needed to take a moment to sing the praises of one of my fashion obsessions as of late--the black yoga pant.
I currently own 3 pairs, including the one pictured above, and let's be honest-- I rarely do yoga in them. What do I do while wearing them? Umm, let's see: Run errands, clean the house, go to Starbucks, lounge around, and yes, I'll confess-- I've even rocked them at work a time (or seven....) Pair 'em with my too-cute & ultra-comfy black Merrell's, do some layering with a cami and long-sleeved T, wrap a stylish scarf, and top it all of with a vest ('cause you know it's still chilly up here on the prairie) and voila! While most days I'm pretty dressed up--heels and all-- some mornings, you just can't do it. My yoga pants are my go-to for a comfy, yet not sloppy way, to get through a bad case of the "Monday's". Or "Thursday's". Or whichever day has me dragging the most during the week!
So, what's your "survival outfit" for a rough week?
Saturday, April 21, 2012
What We Did This Week!
I want to try and keep regular updates as to what's going on in my classroom. Feel free to comment and share ideas! Since I teach at two different schools, I'll just identify them as School "P" and School "R". P has two sections of each grade K-6 and R has one of each. I also have 6th grade beginner band at P. So here goes!
P: Kindergarten--We're preparing for their upcoming program. It's super cute-- it's based on the Frank Asch book "Mooncake." It's actually part of our 1st grade curriculum series, but with a little tweaking on the dialogue, it's perfect for my Kindies. My sweet husband is even going to build me a little rocket ship!
1st-- They just finished up their program, "A Barnyard Moosical." It's so great--if you've never done it, I highly recommend it! So to celebrate, we watched "Wildlife Symphony."
2nd-- We just added whole notes and whole rests to our rhythm vocabulary. They composed their own 8-beat rhythm patterns earlier this week and then on Thursday we played a rousing game of "Rhythm Bingo." They were so excited to finally be able to play on the "Level B" side instead of the easier "Level A!"
3rd-- Ahh, "Peter and the Wolf." One of my favorite units for 3rd grade! I purchased a great "Peter and the Wolf" unit by Debra Lindsay via Music in Motion a couple of years ago. I use it in conjunction with a "Peter and the Wolf" story book/CD combo by Peter Malone. Once we finish up all of our activities, we watch the Chuck Jones version of the movie.
4th-- Syncopation is the name of the game in 4th right now. We've done some great activites and songs out of our curriculum series and out of Music K8. We left off on Friday by beginning a big movement/body percussion/instrumental project using the folk song "John Kanaka."
5th-- Wrapped up our "Blues" unit and took the written assessment. I have to admit, I'm a little worried about how well they grasped this one. But, that could be another post in and of itself! The majority of the kiddos didn't complete the assessment on Friday and will need to finish in class on Monday. We'll see how they did then, I guess...
6th-- "The hills are alive........!" We're smack in the middle of the big "The Sound of Music" unit I do each Spring with 6th grade. We're almost done viewing the musical. I actually set the stage for this unit in the first trimester of 6th grade when we begin examining how to build major scales. (Did you just start singing "Do Re Mi" in your head? Ha!) I love, love, love teaching this unit and want to share it with you all later!
R: Kindergarten-- Same as at P.
1st-- They just performed their program on Thursday evening. We did "Bugz" by John Jacobson & John Higgins. I did that one with my firsties at P a few years ago and absolutely loved it. This crew of kiddos is a little bit more......how shall I say......challenging than the last time I did that show. We did get from start to finish, however. So, I'm going to count it as a victory!
2nd-- They were combined with 1st grade for the program. This class is undoubtedly my biggest challenge this year.
3rd-- They're going to be starting work with absolute pitch. I did a great activity that I received from another music teacher in our district that incorporates the treble clef into an art project. It's one of my faves because the kiddos get to really let both their musical and artistic talents shine.
4th, 5th, & 6th-- Same as at P, just a little further behind in the unit process.
Hope you enjoyed this little "sneak peak" into what's going on in my classrooms! Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
P: Kindergarten--We're preparing for their upcoming program. It's super cute-- it's based on the Frank Asch book "Mooncake." It's actually part of our 1st grade curriculum series, but with a little tweaking on the dialogue, it's perfect for my Kindies. My sweet husband is even going to build me a little rocket ship!
1st-- They just finished up their program, "A Barnyard Moosical." It's so great--if you've never done it, I highly recommend it! So to celebrate, we watched "Wildlife Symphony."
2nd-- We just added whole notes and whole rests to our rhythm vocabulary. They composed their own 8-beat rhythm patterns earlier this week and then on Thursday we played a rousing game of "Rhythm Bingo." They were so excited to finally be able to play on the "Level B" side instead of the easier "Level A!"
3rd-- Ahh, "Peter and the Wolf." One of my favorite units for 3rd grade! I purchased a great "Peter and the Wolf" unit by Debra Lindsay via Music in Motion a couple of years ago. I use it in conjunction with a "Peter and the Wolf" story book/CD combo by Peter Malone. Once we finish up all of our activities, we watch the Chuck Jones version of the movie.
4th-- Syncopation is the name of the game in 4th right now. We've done some great activites and songs out of our curriculum series and out of Music K8. We left off on Friday by beginning a big movement/body percussion/instrumental project using the folk song "John Kanaka."
5th-- Wrapped up our "Blues" unit and took the written assessment. I have to admit, I'm a little worried about how well they grasped this one. But, that could be another post in and of itself! The majority of the kiddos didn't complete the assessment on Friday and will need to finish in class on Monday. We'll see how they did then, I guess...
6th-- "The hills are alive........!" We're smack in the middle of the big "The Sound of Music" unit I do each Spring with 6th grade. We're almost done viewing the musical. I actually set the stage for this unit in the first trimester of 6th grade when we begin examining how to build major scales. (Did you just start singing "Do Re Mi" in your head? Ha!) I love, love, love teaching this unit and want to share it with you all later!
R: Kindergarten-- Same as at P.
1st-- They just performed their program on Thursday evening. We did "Bugz" by John Jacobson & John Higgins. I did that one with my firsties at P a few years ago and absolutely loved it. This crew of kiddos is a little bit more......how shall I say......challenging than the last time I did that show. We did get from start to finish, however. So, I'm going to count it as a victory!
2nd-- They were combined with 1st grade for the program. This class is undoubtedly my biggest challenge this year.
3rd-- They're going to be starting work with absolute pitch. I did a great activity that I received from another music teacher in our district that incorporates the treble clef into an art project. It's one of my faves because the kiddos get to really let both their musical and artistic talents shine.
4th, 5th, & 6th-- Same as at P, just a little further behind in the unit process.
Hope you enjoyed this little "sneak peak" into what's going on in my classrooms! Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
Welcome!
Welcome to "Wild About Elementary Music!"
If you're like most teachers I know, your brain probably operates in terms of "School-Year Calendar" rather than the traditional "January-December." I'm no exception, but this 2011-2012 school year has been so full of change (both good and bad), life lessons (also both good and bad), and inspiration. I just couldn't wait to start capturing moments and ideas and putting them all in one place.
Enjoy your stay, and please--add your voice to the conversation! Are you already thinking about all things you're going to do in your classrooms for next year? :)
If you're like most teachers I know, your brain probably operates in terms of "School-Year Calendar" rather than the traditional "January-December." I'm no exception, but this 2011-2012 school year has been so full of change (both good and bad), life lessons (also both good and bad), and inspiration. I just couldn't wait to start capturing moments and ideas and putting them all in one place.
Enjoy your stay, and please--add your voice to the conversation! Are you already thinking about all things you're going to do in your classrooms for next year? :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)