World Music Series: Africa

 Maybe we should call this Africa, round 1. If y'all are like me, you are constantly looking for creative ways to up your curriculum game. Anyway: here's what I have so far for my two week unit on African music.

Reminders:

I teach middle school students. I see them every day for about 50 minutes. The students have a pretty solid Orff background. My class is an elective, so students can choose the class, whether they are in other music ensembles or none at all. I focus on learning by doing, which means I teach many of my Orff pieces by rote rather than focus on note reading skills. This allows for more time to learn about the actual cultures and also puts all of my students (musical or not) on an even playing field. My class is not performance based. Our playing of instruments is for the purpose of learning about cultures and experiencing different types of music. I always let my kids know if they WANT to perform somewhere, I'll set it up. I don't MAKE my kids sing. If I teach a song, I welcome them to sing along if they want, but I also teach the melody on Orff instruments when accessible.

My general skeleton of my curriculum per global area includes:

1. CONCEPT: One composition or individual learning or research project

2. ORFF: A few options for Orff or Drum ensemble pieces that are culturally appropriate and authentic.

3. LISTEN AND LEARN: Supplemental learning, including videos of authentic performances, culturally relevant games, easy movement or dances, etc.

Okay. Africa.

CONCEPT: Box Notation for Drumming

I have a lot of resources to help me build this curriculum. One book already in my office was The New Conga Joy by Bill Matthews (I will link below) . I realize box notation isn't necessarily an authentic African notation system, but this book has authentic African and Afro-Caribbean rhythms set in this accessible notation. I like using this notation with my students because it puts ALL students on the same musical page. We are all learning this simple notation system together. The book uses 12-13 different symbols for each way to hit the drums. To simplify for my students, we learn several songs from the book that only use B (Bass), O (Tone) and a black dot (rest). I learned pretty quickly, if I wanted my students to make their own compositions, I should change the Bass to (L - Low), Tone to (H - High) and keep the rest. **If you don't know why I did that, just make a few of your own compositions using B and O, and you might figure out why pre-teens might be distracted by these letters.**

So, after we establish how to read a few of the compositions out of the book, I have students make their own. We do a few practice rounds together, then I give them this page and give them time to work on their own composition. We have enough tubanos for each student to use their own, but you could practice on smaller drums, and then perform on a bigger drum. 

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Box-Notation-Drum-Composition-7386477

The students are then graded, using a simple rubric (included in the TPT purchase). The rubric assesses whether the students used all three symbols, whether their performance matched their composition, and whether their performance was well practiced. Students could submit videos to me on their chromebooks, or perform live for me. At this point in the trimester, students feel safer performing just for me, and not in front of the whole class. I still give the brave students a chance to share with the class, if they want to. 

ORFF: drumming or Orff ensemble pieces used

I choose 2-3 pieces from this list based on the overall ability of the group I have for the current trimester.

6th grade: 

• pieces from Conga Joy (link below)
• Tue, Tue (Ghana), arranged by Shirley W. McRae, Sing 'Round The World (link below)
• Obiswana (Ghana), arranged by B. Thompson https://www.bethsnotesplus.com/
• Kebe Mama (Ghana) Arranged by Calla Isaak, African Rhythms and Beats (link below)
• Sansa Kroma (Ghana)  (also in African Rhythms and Beats)

7th Grade:

• pieces from Conga Joy (link below)
• Polyrhythm, arranged by Jordan Hanson (also in African Rhythms and Beats)
• Tatenda, inspired by music from Zimbabwe, arranged by Walt Hampton, Marimba Mojo! (link below)
• Baba Mudiki (Zimbabwe), arranged by Paul Mataruse, African Marimba Vol. 1 by Bonnie Carol (link below)
• Kokoleoko (Liberia), arranged by B.Thompson, https://www.bethsnotesplus.com/

8th Grade:

• pieces from Conga Joy (link below)
• Buya IAfrica (Zulu), arranged by Ross Johnson and Bonnie Carol, African Marimba Vol. 1 by Bonnie Carol (link below)
• The Three Brothers Folktale and Kondo (Ghana), arranged by Calla Isaak, (also in African Rhythms and Beats)
• Eh Soom Boo Kawaya (Nigeria), arranged by B. Thompson https://www.bethsnotesplus.com/
• Kutenda (To Thank), Arr. Jane Lamb, (in Kutamba!, link below)

LISTEN AND LEARN: supplements to enhance learning

• Authentic YouTube videos of drum and instrument ensembles from Africa
• Instrument Classification Worksheet and Videos
• We often use the scientific classification of instruments - Idiophone, Chordophone, Aerophone, or Membranophone. Students watch YouTube examples of each instrument listed and classify the instruments themselves. Here is the free TPT resource: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/African-Instrument-Classification-Worksheet-7440096#show-price-update

Resources Referenced:

https://www.amazon.com/New-Conga-Joy-Bill-Matthews/dp/0971886105

https://www.amazon.com/Sing-Round-World-International-Folksongs/dp/0934017123

https://www.amazon.com/African-Rhythms-Beats-Traditions-Classroom/dp/188888519X

https://www.amazon.com/Marimba-mojo-Zimbabwean-style-pieces-instruments/dp/0937203866

https://www.amazon.com/African-Marimba-Vol-Beginning-Tunes/dp/0972110895

https://www.westmusic.com/search-results?q=kutumba

New Home, New Job, New Products and Ideas!!

 We moved! Wahoo!

Our family is SO excited to live in Montana. We feel like we are living the dream. When we decided this summer that moving was the best decision for our family, I didn't expect to find a teaching job for this current school year. We were quickly approaching September, and I figured smaller town Montana didn't need a music teacher - I would just keep my eyes open for opportunities for next school year. HOWEVER, there just happened to be ONE opening! What was it for? Middle School World Music. 

How many of you are like "What is world music?" That was me. Even after I got the job. I didn't have this class growing up. I never taught in a district that offered this class. I wasn't even prepped as a music ed. college student that this could be a position I could take. 

I asked my music colleagues in my current school and my principal what this class was. They were like, make it your own! The day after we moved into our new house, also the Wednesday before school started (You read that right!) I was able to go to my new school and see my classroom. I was relieved! Drums everywhere! Orff all over the place! Lots of unpitched percussion! Sweet!

Now, I was ready to figure out what I was going to teach the kids, who were starting in just a few days.  At first, I kept hearing that the previous teacher did a LOT with African Drumming. I knew this was a great place to start, but I couldn't imagine making a 12 week curriculum with just drumming. I love traveling and know how much amazing music our world has to offer. I decided to embrace the "World" part of world music and divided the trimester up into 6 regions of the world: Africa, Asia, Oceania, Europe, Latin America, and North America. I have been collecting ideas all trimester, saving those I love teaching and editing those that weren't as strong. I'll be sharing those ideas here on this blog. Let me know if you teach World Music, or want World Music ideas for your general music students!

Upper Elementary Recorder Compositions - Yes, they can!

I LOVE when January rolls around each year. January is when my 5th graders make their own recorder compositions. We make a BIG deal about these! We perform them for each other (yes, I make one, too!). We vote to award each other Grammy type recognitions. We have a red carpet (butcher paper) and have an emcee along with special talent show acts for our awards ceremony. It's one of the most memorable moments of the whole year.

So, how do we pull this off? Make it simple!

I give the students very simple building blocks to help them create their composition. We focus on easy rhythms and review only 5 recorder notes. Keeping it simple is key. This is the first time my students put together their own rhythms with notes, not to mention playing those notes and rhythms on their instrument. It's a lot to think about. 

We begin with reviewing five notes in the pentatonic scale - B, A, G, low E, and low D. I have the students complete a worksheet where they fill in which holes are covered on their instruments. In the same worksheet, they need to place the corresponding note on the staff. This helps them link the two ideas together as they compose.

Next, we review rhythms. These are usually easy for my students to recall, but it helps to have all of the information right in front of them before they compose. I stick to quarter note and rest, two eighth notes, half note, and half rest. If we get into more complicated rhythms, the students have trouble playing their compositions. I notice the students feel much more successful when they keep the rhythms simple. They are more likely to play their composition correctly with minimal practicing.*

*Students who do not have experience practicing music before have a super limited attention span as they prepare for a performance. If they play it well, they will likely spend more time practicing.

We, then, compose eight measures of rhythms. I have the students clap their rhythms and ask them questions like these:

• Can we make this sound more like a final ending? (longer, slower notes?)
• Is there a part that is too difficult that we can make easier?
• Can we make any repeated phrases or motives?

When students are proud of their rhythm creation, they start to add the pentatonic notes by penciling them underneath. They can play their recorder to hear what it sounds like. making changes as they like. Once they are happy with their piece of music, they can put their entire composition on the staff. This is their final copy.

If you are interested in the format I use for this project, check out my product on teachers pay teachers!

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Recorder-Composition-Project-for-Music-Class-6558127

What kind of compositions do your upper elementary students love to make?

TPT Grand Opening Freebie! Vocal Roller Coasters for Littles!

 Y'all. I love teaching kids to love singing. I am super excited to share a free resource I've been working on to promote fun and easy vocal exploration with my littles. This will be part of a Kindergarten and First Grade stations bundle, soon. But, who wants to wait! Here ya go!

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Vocal-Roller-Coasters-Vocal-Exploration-for-Early-Music-Education-6527305

Let me know what you think! What do you like to use for vocal exploration? 

TPT store will be growing soon. If you have a resource you have been dreaming of, but do not seem to have the time to create, please reach out! If I make your resource idea, you can have a free copy!

Raising Confident Girls

I almost named this post "Raising Princesses in Hiking Boots."

There was a woman who was very special to me. Her name was Mary, and she was my husband's aunt. (Now: this whole entire family is exceptional and remarkable, but that's a whole different blog post.) I only knew Mary for seven years, only met her in person a handful of times, before she passed away. She made an impact on me by living her truest, most unapologetic life, and by giving me words of strength that I still remember. I could gush for several more paragraphs, but I'm going to get to the point.

Our entire family (descendants of, and including my grandparents-in-law) met up in the North Woods of the mid-west when my girls were 4 years old and 8 months old. At some point during the family reunion, Mary must have pulled my older daughter aside and gave her this book: Do Princesses Wear Hiking Boots? by Carmela LaVigna Coyle. I asked my daughter where the book came from a few days later, and she said "Great Mary" gave it to her and read it to her. My daughter doesn't know all of what I know: That Mary was a fashionista, amazing cook and homemaker, and designer, but was also ready to get her shoes dirty on an adventure. The fact that she passed on the message to be who you are, and do what you love, in such a short time with my daughter means so much to me. Both girls ask me to read the book often and remind me it's from "Great Mary, who is in heaven with our dog, Brutus."

I love this book, because it is a metaphor for how we parent our girls. We never pushed pink and princesses on our girls, intentionally providing gender neutral toys and experiences for them*. But, hey, they still figured out who all the Disney princesses are, and LOVE pink and fairies and spinney dresses and tea parties (BUT NOT TEA, JUST PRETEND TEA). You know what? They know what they love and they are confident in that. They also love trains and Legos and laser guns and robots. They shouldn't be made to feel bad about what they love, unless it's hurting someone else. So, while there might be parents who judge because my girls are sometimes dressed head to toe in pink and have bows in their hair, or that they picked their own outfit and none of it matches and their has three ponytails (ugh, do they insist on THREE?!?), I don't care**. I am proud to raise confident girls who are living out childhood to it's fullest. I know Mary is proud as she looks down at them.

*I did let E watch a certain Disney movie about two sister princesses about a million times while I was stuck in the bathroom with morning sickness while being pregnant with C, so - think what you want about that.
**I really try not to care - I catch myself sometimes, and then try to set myself straight.

I have come across several books that support confidence in girls. These books do not contain passive or weak females. We read them all the time. I hope this list will help out another parent who is trying to find ways to support their confident daughters. (Credit needs to go where it's due - so many of these were given to us by members of our amazing family I talked about earlier in this post.)

North Woods Girl by Aimee Bissonette

The Legend of the Lady's Slipper by Kathy-jo Wargin

Little Feminist Board Book Set

Good Night Stories Rebel Girls by Elena Favilli

Galaxy Girls: 50 Amazing Stories of Women in Space by Libby Jackson

Dear Girl by Amy Krouse Rosenthal

Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon by Patty Lovell

Madeline Books by Ludwig Bemelmans

The Adventures Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren

The Snatchabook by Helen Docherty

These examples have strong female examples, but obviously the possibilities are endless. Think about your daughter's insterests and help her find fiction or non-fiction books that support those (with male or female characters). If they do choose a book to read with a weak female character, talk about it. What would she do if she was the main character? What would you do?

What are your favorite books to read to your daughters to instill confidence?

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!

How to Land That Job!

I am so lucky to have quickly found a job for the next school year after relocating to another state. I was nervous to interview again, because it had been a while. I learned some important things that helped me feel confident and well prepared.

1. See yourself getting the job. Has anyone here read The Secret? I am learning that my vision of the future often goes that way. I spent time thinking about someone being impressed by my interview and offering me the job. I saw myself as someone who was the clear choice for the principal. I thought about how lucky they were that I was interviewing there. These thoughts really helped my confidence! I am also a fan of the "superwoman" pose - I do it in the car before an interview.

2. Make a teaching sample booklet. I got this idea from a friend before I got my previous job. As soon as I started handing these to principals, I started getting offers and great feedback. I include a cover with my name, profession, and a few pictures of my performances, my classroom, and of my students performing (they were angled so you couldn't see faces). I also include a cover letter, resume, letters of recommendation, teaching samples (worksheets, rubrics, projects) from different grade levels, and letters from students. I cover them with a clear plastic cover and bind them. This professional touch is something they will remember about you after the interview. Bonus points if you come up with a cool logo to help your cover, letter, and resume match. Mine looks like this:



3. Use real life examples as much as possible. When I interviewed for my first few teaching positions I answered more theoretically. Now, I use examples from my own teaching experiences. This comes across genuine and caring. It also makes me smile from the inside out. My interviewers could see how much I enjoy my job and my students. I was lucky I interviewed for grade levels I have experience with, because I felt like I had so many choices I could use for each question. I always went with the first one that popped in my head and stay confident with it. There isn't a RIGHT answer - the administrators are just trying to get to know the interviewee.

4. Try to find a way to bring up communication - with parents, other teachers, and with administration. Administrators love a good communicator.

5. Mention cross-curricular lessons or ideas. I think something music teachers always communicate well is how important music (on it's own accord) is worth teaching. Something that may resonate well with administrators (especially those who weren't related arts teachers) is knowing a music teacher is willing to collaborate in other subject areas.

6. Don't be afraid of small talk, smiling, or laughing during an interview. I know being professional during an interview is important, but it's also important to appear (and BE) relaxed. I know that administrators want a teacher who will do the job well, but will also be pleasant to work with and have things in common with.

Good luck, job seekers!