How to use Lower Elementary Rhythm Cut Outs!

 I love giving kids a chance to compose. In fact, I make sure that my students have some opportunity to compose with each unit I teach. Composing not only reinforces concepts they've learned, but students can take ownership and feel proud of their creations. Students can't wait to show what they've made!

Here's an easy composition activity to incorporate into your units, stations, or even sub plans. These worksheets review ta, ti-ti, and rest (or, one sound, two sounds, and no sounds per beat).  One set uses the traditional notation, but the others use pictures to symbolize one sound, two sounds, or no sounds in each beat. There are endless variations and uses for these worksheets:

1. Independent Stations: Cut out and laminate yourself. Put a few variations of the activity out in a defined space within your classroom. I like to use different colored paper to help students take responsibility for cleaning up, and to keep things organized. Kids can easily see that the blue cut outs go with the blue paper, etc.

2. Teacher Led Stations: While the rest of the class is divided into independent stations, have a small group with you. Have them make their own compositions, using the worksheets. Then, have students write the traditional notation on the back of the squares. Have students at your center trade compositions with each other, then have them perform for each other. 

3. Sub Plans: Warn teachers ahead of time to have students bring their own art supply boxes or pouches. They'll need scissors, glue sticks, and coloring materials. Have the sub demonstrate how to cut out the squares on the dotted lines. The sub should also model how to try a few different rhythm combinations until they like their composition. Once the kids (and sub) like their order, they can paste down the little squares in the boxes. 

What are your favorite ways to allow kids to compose?

*Stay tuned for kinder and first grade stations bundles!*

Lower Elementary Play Dough Station

 Need an easy station for your kinder and 1st graders? Set up play dough!

I laminated some templates with simple music notation. I color coordinated the templates with the colors of play dough, so kids could easily regulate themselves, and clean up. Don't want to spend time making your own? Print these out! https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Lower-Elementary-Music-Symbol-Playdough-Station-6560096

Keep following for MORE lower elementary station ideas! 

New Year, New Blog, and STEAM toys!

New Year, New Blog!

Over the last few years, I have been struggling with making this blog functional. It has been something I've been dreaming up for a long time. My mind constantly thinks of things that might make great blog posts. I know there are other parents and teachers interested in navigating this crazy balance between work and family. I have come to realize that teachers who are also parents strive to be the best in all areas of life. We don't do either job for pay (clearly), we just have a passion for raising the best human beings we can.

My blog was originally part of a graduate school project to share my ideas for music education. Now, I am adjusting the purpose to also contain parenting, cooking, life balance, and school-wide leadership. If you are only here for the music teacher stuff - no worries! I'll continue to post what works in my classroom and share resources for free.

NOW: while I sit here, sipping my coffee and nibbling my banana muffin (recipe: https://www.artandthekitchen.com/best-banana-muffins/ ), my two little girls are playing with a grow-your-own fairy garden they got for Christmas. This is the inspiration (a.k.a. kick in the butt) I needed to write a blog post I have been thinking about for a while: my favorite STEAM toys and gifts for kids under 8.

Best STEAM Gifts for Kids Under 8!

My family asks for a list when it comes to birthday or Christmas gifts for my girls. This year, my husband and I did a lot of research to come up with the toys we thought would last, spark creativity, and teach problem solving. Here are some of the best ideas I came across:

1. Museum and Zoo memberships

I love this idea - these memberships are the gift of quality time with your kids. Now, make sure if you ask for these or if you purchase these yourself, you actually GO (I'm guilty...). One of my new year resolutions is to take my kids to our Children's museum and zoo at least 4 times each this year. The kids love having a day to explore, and these venues offer new exhibits each time we go. Not to mention, I usually have quiet and tired kids when we get home. I could write a whole blog about this, but, make sure these adventures are kid-led as much as possible. Ask them what THEY are interested in learning about. Don't rush through exhibits they are interested in. Soak in the quality time - if you have a membership you don't have to worry if you don't see it all that day.

2. Robots and Coding Toys

When our girls were littler, we found the Code-a-pillar toy (https://www.amazon.com/Fisher-Price-Think-Learn-Code-Pillar/dp/B01M22IDS4/ref=sr_1_1?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1546710359&sr=1-1&keywords=coderpiller ). It was a hit. The best part about this toy, is it can differentiate with their age. The toy is a visual way to understand the coding process, and as kids get older, they can enjoy different challenges to problem solve. As I write this, I am noting to replace the batteries, because my girls would love to play with it this afternoon. We also like the Mouse coding game: https://www.amazon.com/Learning-Resources-Robot-Activity-Pieces/dp/B01A5YMCH4. This also offers a few differentiated ways to teach coding, each one geared toward different skill sets and abilities. We have a Snap Circuit Jr. set (https://www.amazon.com/Snap-Circuits-SC-100-Electronics-Exploration/dp/B00008BFZH/ref=sr_1_4_acs_ac_1?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1546710745&sr=1-4-acs&keywords=snap+circuits), also, for good measure. Lastly, we recently got a robot for our oldest (6yo) that can be controlled with a joystick style app, but can also be coded. The Sphero Mini is perfect for her age and has already helped her understanding of robots - https://www.amazon.com/Sphero-Mini-Blue-App-Controlled-Robot/dp/B072B6QVVW/ref=sr_1_4?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1546711037&sr=1-4&keywords=sphero+mini.

3. Fairy Garden

My husband and I are all about the gender-neutral primary colored toys, and even still, our girls just LOVE all things pink and fairies. That's just who they are, and I'm cool with that. These fairy gardens combine their love for girly fairy stuff and learning about photosynthesis and caring for plants. I love that it comes with a guide for parents to read to their kids about how plants get their nutrients. The girls are excited to see the plants grow and play with the little house accessories. There are several types of fairy gardens. This is the kind we have so far: https://www.amazon.com/My-Fairy-Garden-Magical-Cottage/dp/B01FSV2YYU/ref=pd_lpo_vtph_86_bs_t_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=VBGY4VWSBFGR83EHWXMR.

4. Crates and Subscriptions

My kids are crazy about getting surprises in the mail. They are lucky enough to have been gifted several subscriptions over the last couple years, so I'll tell you about our favorites. Kiwi Crate is a company that has several options, tailored to age and interest. Every month, the girls would recieve a little box in the mail with three themed activities. We have gotten the Koala Crate and the Kiwi crate and both are excellent. The girls love the high quality supplies and the independence they feel as they do the activities. You can check out all of Kiwi Crate options here: https://www.kiwico.com/?utm_source=Google-g&utm_medium=SEM&utm_content=48255882464&utm_campaign=796884942&utm_term=kiwi%20crate&utm_ad=1t1&utm_adset=e&utm_placement=&gclid=CjwKCAiAyMHhBRBIEiwAkGN6fA0ytM547apt9gpMYrru90T-zY1qdpwKfZ5uLgNOb4295vsotNJetRoC374QAvD_BwE. 

Along the same lines is the Girls Can! Crate: https://www.girlscancrate.com/. This box is similar to Kiwi crate - our six-year-old gets a box each month with a theme. The twist is the box highlights influential women in history (scientists, artists, engineers) that support the theme of the box. There are still three activities and high quality supplies, along with extension activities to support those deep-divers. 

My girls love to "help" me cook. Not gonna lie - sometimes it drives me nuts. BUT, I have to remember that there are plenty of skills they are old enough to learn, and I should put aside some time to devote to cooking with them. One of the best crates we have received is the Raddish Crate: https://www.raddishkids.com/. It's another monthly subscription box, but it comes with cooking tools, kid-friendly recipes, and activities following some kind of culinary theme. The tools are high quality, and the recipe fold-out cards are durable and can be wiped clean. 

Amazon has come out with a book subscription for kids, and we are super excited. We have gotten one shipment for each of the girls, and so far I am wowed. These are books we may not necessarily pick out at the library or book store, but they are right on target. My girls love them, so far. We are of the mindset: you can't have too many books. Check this out! https://www.amazon.com/Prime-Book-Box-Reading-Baby-2/dp/B072BYFR7R

5. Building Block Sets

Legos are a big deal at our house. Our kids are just at the ages that can use the really little "big kid" legos, but are still very into the duplo size legos. We have received several kinds of lego kits that just add to our lego bucket of imagination. I really think these are a must-have toy at any kid's house. Kids have license to build their own world with these kind of toys. Along the same lines are Magnet Tiles, Tegu magnet blocks, and these wooden castle blocks (the girls' favorite toy right now): https://www.amazon.com/Building-FAO-Toddlers-Medieval-Princesses/dp/B0786XP6N2/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1546718717&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=castle+blocks&psc=1. These are the types of toys I love just sitting back and watching my kids play with. They don't need my help or supervision and I might be able to get a few hours of peace and quiet (you KNOW you need that sometimes).

6. Train Sets

This toy is another staple - I think all kids love these sets. I appreciate how so many different companies make these sets compatible with each other, so families can build their collections. I like the Thomas sets, Melissa and Doug, and Brio, but now there are so many that work! I noticed some really affordable sets on Amazon that include fun pieces like bridges, turn tables, and tunnels. Just check to make sure of the compatibility. 

7. Make-It-Yourself Kits

There are so many options! The two I have my eye on for my girls are a wood working kit and a first sewing kit: https://www.amazon.com/Lakeshore-Learning-Materials-Build-It-Yourself-Woodworking/dp/B009IYD7PO and https://www.amazon.com/Four-Seasons-Crafting-Sewing-Animal/dp/B01N1MEYBO/ref=sr_1_12?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1546735175&sr=1-12&keywords=first+sewing+kit. There are really great ones at Lowe's and Michael's (as well as other hardware and craft stores). I love that these foster independence and build skills they can use in future projects. These are just challenging enough to introduce new skills without being overwhelming. My older daughter had a mermaid she sewed all by herself. It was pretty good, but definitely missing an eye. She was still so proud of herself, she brought it to school to show all of her teachers and friends.

8. GoldieBlox sets

These are so cool! They are definitely geared toward girls, but in a positive kind of way. The sets include a story that teaches an engineering principal and mechanism. The story walks kids through how to set up and build their own machine: https://www.amazon.com/stores/node/6710091011?_encoding=UTF8&field-lbr_brands_browse-bin=GoldieBlox&ref_=bl_dp_s_web_6710091011. Our daughter got the spinning machine (link here: https://www.amazon.com/GoldieBlox-and-The-Spinning-Machine/dp/1223095649?ref_=bl_dp_s_web_6710091011) for her birthday from her grandparents a few years ago. She still loves to get it out and set it up along with the story. She might spend another hour trying to make her own machine design. Watch for sales - sometimes you can get an amazing deal!

Carnival of the Animals - Great Sub Plan for K and 1!

Last week, I had to stay home because my cutie patootie was sick. I always stress about sub plans. I don't want my students to have to have a lesson that does not work on real concepts and goals of the school year. I often have subs without music backgrounds, so I have to be creative about what I leave for them to do with the kids. (I don't know about you, but I never leave Orff instrument lessons!)

So... For my little ones, I left a lesson that I have done in the past. The basic idea is students listen to selections from Carnival of the Animals by Saint-Saens and try to figure out which animal the music describes. They draw a picture or write the animal word on a simple worksheet available at the bottom of this post. I decided to choose 8 of the more obvious or accessible animals to the students. After they have listened to all of the selections and made a guess about what they are, students share what they think each is, and compare their answer to the real answer.

Feedback from an aid working with some of the students from the special education classroom was really positive. She said the students were engaged during the whole class and most guessed a few correct animals! We followed up by listening again when I returned. They were excited to tell me which animals went with which movements of the piece.

Here is the VERY SIMPLE worksheet I created. (When baby is sick, I don't have much time to creatively format!)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6jBwrqnt9veaXh1RTRILTRlYkk/edit?usp=sharing

What lessons do you leave for substitute teachers?