Welcome!
Friday, November 16, 2012
Project FUNDED!!!!
I requested a BOSE sound docking station for my iPod! Woohooo!!! *happy dance*
A huge hug and thank you to my personal friend "Sassy" and DirecTV. If you missed it, DirecTV posted a picture on their Facebook page asking for people to share the photo. Well, I shared it and posted my project in the comments and they finished funding the project!!!
Now, planning the next project...a carpet for the music room at the primary school. The little kinders have the MOST trouble with the chairs throwing them out! LOL! The hard part is deciding what type of rug I want!
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Veteran's Day Program
I chose Remember You by Teresa Jennings from the Volume 7, Number 2 Issue of Music K-8 Magazine. I just can't get enough of Music K-8!!! :~) The students looked soooo good up on stage today!! Just made this teacher's heart super happy!
Keep a look out for pictures from tomorrow's program!
Have a lovely Wednesday evening!
Cheryl
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
November
Mrs. King posted an idea that she's been using in her music room (http://mrskingrocks.blogspot.com/2012/10/4th-graders-play-pumpkin-pattern-memory.html#comment-form) and I am going to tweak it to use in my room! I am so excited about this!!!
I am so thankful that there are awesome music teachers out there that share their ideas, lessons and activities so I can get ideas for my classroom.
I encourage you to think about what you are thankful for on more than the one day set aside for Thanksgiving. It is a wonderful feeling and I love reading about it!
Sunday, September 23, 2012
A Sunday Quickie
Holiday programs are beginning to come together. More on those a little later! I will have the primary grades program on Monday, December 10 and the 5th grade program on Tuesday, December 11. Will I be more
Okay, must get my plans turned in! Happy Fall y'all! :)
Monday, September 3, 2012
TBA Open House Week! ~ Monday=Meet the Teacher
I love to have fun! What better way to spend my day, than singing, dancing, playing instruments and getting my students to be super creative!
Monday, August 27, 2012
Labor Day SALE!
I have been so super busy between finishing my time in Charlotte and getting things ready for my move back to Pageland. I hope to post more often again soon!
Happy Monday and have a GREAT week!
Monday, August 20, 2012
Workday Worries
It was so much fun and I am so glad that I got to do that today! Now, I'm going to write down a few "to-dos" and then go to bed. I am tired!
Happy Monday evening friends!
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Christmas is in the air!
WAIT...WHAT?!?!?! Sorry to put a damper on your end of summer celebrations! BUT...I have to, have to, have to start thinking about Christmas/winter holidays/and what have you.
I was looking though the materials already at my school for my 5th graders and while I like what's there, most of it has been used within recent years. So, that leaves me looking for something new. A few of the musicals that caught my eye are...
North Pole Musical by Jacobson and Huff
A Pirate Christmas by John Jacobson & Roger Emerson
North Pole Star by Albrecht & Althouse
I'll keep you posted on the winner. If you have a suggestion on a musical you love, please share!
Friday, August 17, 2012
Help please!
I've looked through a few Music K-8 issues but nothing really jumped out at me...so, I need help!
Thanks in advance!
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Picture Time!!
Another before picture, to the left is the door to the hallway.
SMARTboard!! Nuff said! LOL!
Ah, the after picture! Still have some work to do. Notice my fairy helper in the left there?!?
Word wall - missing my alphabet letters and it will be done!
Music is a Sweet Treat bulletin board. A download of the ice cream scoops can be found at www.musicbulletinboards.net.
Music Mission Statement. I
My door! :)
Monday, August 13, 2012
Donors Choose Project
I'm asking for a BOSE SoundDock station to use at both schools with my iPod. Please take some time to view my project and other projects from teachers all over! Help us, as we help our students learn and better themselves!
Here's the link to my project - HERE!
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Back to School SALE!
I know that LOTS of others are taking part in the sale, so if you have things in your TpT wishlist - now would be the time to buy!!
Here's the link to my STORE!
Happy Shopping!!!
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Itching to get into my rooms!
Tonight, I had a GRAND thought while I was sitting in the drive-thru line at the golden arches...since I have to be away from my classes for the first week and a half, why not VIDEOtape myself talking to them. Then, that takes a little pressure off the sub to make sure they cover EVERYTHING I want covered on our first class meetings. Wow, wow, wow! Now, I'm even MORE excited and ready to get my rooms set up so I can call "ACTION!"
The drive-thru line was CRAZY, so I pulled up Evernote on my phone (lifesaver that app is - I tell ya! If you don't use it, you totally should!) and I started typing out a script for my back to school video lessons. So excited, I am beyond words! Now, if only I had an iPad, then I could do my video without having to use my phone...sigh, and dream a little dream. Okay, I'm back!
Here's my awesome find from the music teacher blog-o-sphere! Mrs. Swedburg at Made for Music Teachers has created some awesome funky Bach chickens and they are so going to go outside my door at the 3rd-5th grade school! Here's a link and here idea came from Mrs. King at www.musicbulletinboards.net (Mrs. King has some awesome things on her blog and site also!) I think that's all I have time for tonight - HUGE storm booming outside!
Happy shopping to me tomorrow! Yay!
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Give with Target
If you're looking for a school to support - Pageland Elementary or Petersburg Primary in Pageland, SC would LOVE your votes!!
Thursday, August 2, 2012
This week
So, today and the rest of the week I'm going to be creating games, planning classroom set up (can't get into my rooms yet) and planning some lessons. Working on a Prezi (www.prezi.com) to use the first classes with my upper grades. I'll post that when I get it finished.
Pinterest has been a HUGE help in my finding games and activities I can incoporate into my teaching. What are some of your favorite games/activities/lessons? I didn't do much with "Star Spangled Banner" last year, so I am looking to do more with that in grades 3-5. Mostly, I am really looking forward to setting up my rooms and making them my own! I have some barred Orff instruments, but DonorsChoose is going to be used to help me get more. Most of what is at both schools is old, broken or doesn't sound good.
Oh I just can't wait to get started!! Don't think I've been this excited about the start of a school year since my first year teaching! LOVE!
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Big News!!!
I have 2 classrooms to set up, that haven't been cleaned, so I can't get in them. AND, I'm going to have to spend a least part of the workdays and some of the student days in Charlotte. WOWZER! 3 classrooms to set up and lesson plans to prepare for me to use and a sub to use maybe...who knows!!! However, the end result with my being back in Pageland is sooo worth it!! I will be spending the next few weeks squeezing the last moments of summer fun in with my babies and working on lots of projects!
Ahhh only 2 weeks!!!!!
Monday, July 23, 2012
Headed Home :(
Kinda sad today, we're on our way home from the beach. I LOVE the beach! Would move here in a skinny minute if hubby would...ahhh, but neither of us are keen on trying to sell our house, find new jobs, move with the kiddos in tow. So, for now I will dream beachy dreams for retirement! :)
Having some time to rest and recharge has me pumped up to get started on some plans for this year! I am most excited about the dice games I mentioned in my last post and I've come up with some other ideas I can't wait to share!
One thing I am super pumped about is using "Mallet Madness" with our kinders and firsties from the get-go. Not using barred instruments, but tambourines, triangles, rhythm sticks and hand drums. If you haven't used Mallet Madness before, it is really fun and I highly recommend it! I used a few bits at both schools last year and am looking forward to impelmenting more!
Look for more to come in the next few weeks!
Friday, July 20, 2012
Inspired!
Anyone else finding it hard to believe that it's almost the end of July?!? Really. Can't. Believe. It!!! As I work through items on the to-do list, I think of more items that need to be added to the list! Grrr!! But, I want to get it all taken care of now and not right when school starts!
Happy Friday! Enjoy you're weekend!
Monday, July 16, 2012
1st Quarter Assessments Ready!
As North Carolina moves toward an EOG type assessment for the arts, I want to start getting prepared and ensuring that my students are prepared. Haven't heard anything lately about the progress of said assessments, but I'd rather be safe than sorry!
I hope that you find the assessments useful. I am getting the hang of creating fun stuff and can't wait to do more things!! :-)
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Sunday randomness
I've had family here since Friday and I have loved every second of it! Really, I was sad to see my sis-in-law and my nieces leave today. :( Can you believe how fast the summer is going?!? It really boggles my mind! We're going to the beach this week at some point, and I'm hoping to meet with my new principal. Plus, I really should get to the doctor...I've seriously had a headache since June 1, except for the 12 days I was in Florida...hubby said we should just move down there!?! Okay by me - NOT! LOL!
So, since it is Sunday and all, I thought I would start trying to get my brain in gear to thinking about school and the Sunday evenings to come. What does your Sunday evening routine look like? For me, I blog stalk a bit and then make sure I'm set for the week. Laundry, grocery shopping, making lunches and all that jazz.
This week my goal is to create my pre-assessments for each grade level for the first quarter. To do so, I must cement what I want them to know by the end of the quarter. I've got some good ideas for my younger grades, but really need to reflect some more for my upper grades.
Thanks if you've stuck through the brain mess/random thinking this far! I'm excited with a headache and 2 children playing Hungry, Hungry Hippos...time for them to go to bed!
Thursday, July 12, 2012
New Item Posted!!
On a personal note, I still feel so exhausted from my vacation! Totally can't get back into a groove of getting some work done. I had interviewed at 2 schools back in June, but sadly, I didn't get either job. :( BUT, I'm going to look at the bright side ~ I still get to return to 1 of my schools in the fall, so I will get to continue building relationships with my co-workers. Now, I'll just have to get to know staff and students at 1 different school.
Got to hang out with my "co-teacher" at the school I'm staying at yesterday, and we got our kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade lessons planned for first semester! YAY! Today I've been looking for a holiday program for our 2nd graders to do...any suggestions?!? One idea we're bouncing around is not doing a full blown musical, just have a few students highlight points of Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and Christmas and doing songs from those holidays. Also, add in some songs from around the world...I don't know might get too busy.
Okay, off to the grocery store - yay! Hope full brain functions return soon - lol!!
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
SUMMER!
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
GIVEAWAY!!!!
Sunny Days + Thirty-one Giveaway
I love following Denise - she does great things with her students! If you have never used Thirty-one products - I highly recommend them! I have the thermal tote that I use EVERY day for my lunch! I am currently crushing on the All-in-One Organizer Tote...just can't decide what print! LOL!!!
Good luck!
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Rhythm Caterpillars
Second Grade students used paper circles that I drew various rhythms using quarter notes and rests, eighth notes and half notes. They placed the circles in any order then clapped the rhythms.
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Music + Poetry = LOTS of laughs
5th grade students have been writing Haiku poems about something they like, love or are passionate about. I have really enjoyed reading them and listening to why they're writing about their subject. This week they will be setting their poem to a tune in the pentatonic scale that they are creating. Will try posting some next week!
Sunday, February 19, 2012
African - American History Month
One of my favorite jazz musicians is Dizzy Gillespie because we share the same hometown. Best laugh of the week - a student, "So, you went to school with him? That's cool!!" Ummmm...can we tell who wasn't listening!?! But, it did provide a moment to go back and re-teach about time periods in history.
One last thing I wanted to mention about the sites listed above - they require a paid subscription and I highly recommend both if your school/district doesn't already subscribe. I so couldn't teach without either!
Sunday, February 5, 2012
February Freebie
I've created this worksheet for students to write kind words to some of their classmates. ENJOY!
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Today's class
My co-teacher told me she's had her students enter the room and sit quietly to listen to a selection of music for a listening exercise. So, I thought - that's GREAT!! I'll try it!! That was a GREAT GREAT GREAT way to start the class. They had to sit quietly and LISTEN! and that's what they DID!! Woohooo!!!
Then, we started on the activity and they did such a great job!!!! I can't WAIT til next week to see how they complete their work and we're going to put their creations all together to create a "machine"! This lesson came from the book Making the Grade: Creative Standards-Based Lessons for the Music Classroom by Valeaira Luppens and Greg Foreman and can be purchased at www.alfred.com.