Note Reading Assessment

One of my most favorite things to teach children is how to read the notes from the treble clef staff

Here's a quick assessment I like to use to find out where my students are at the beginning of the year.

 

ttp://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Note-Reading-Music-Assessment-LinesSpaces-818946

The possibilities are endless when it comes to how to reinforce note reading skills.  I have seen so many BRILLIANT teacher's ideas posted and reposted all over the internet, I don't know how we lived without it in the past! 

Call me "Build-it-Barbie!"

I have wanted to organize my small percussion instruments in a different way for years and today was the day!  I finally found what I've been looking for...and, the best part, you ask?  I was able to build them all by myself!!!  Lol...of course, not without a silly story...in true totally-tuned-in fashion.

But first...pictures!
 

Before 

 

During construction:

 

 

And....finally...after!!!

Voila!!!  What do you think?!?  I am so incredibly excited to get back into school on Monday during our non-directed teacher day...And organize the instruments into the drawers.  And I am sure I will have room for other things!  But my question for you all...how should I label these drawers???  Hmmmm.  They look so nice just plain and simple...but I feel like I will absolutely need to put in place a system for the kids to find things in the music room!  Lol...can u imagine if I said..."oh, go look in the purple drawer" to a student???  It would take forever!  Soooo...help!  Any ideas welcome!  

Preview...

Just as I was about to give up on getting crafty tonight...somehow, just picking up a pencil and putting it to paper got me in my zone....and of course, it's almost 1:00!  Lol.  After I type this post, yes, yes, I'll go to bed.  But I just wanted to share a little preview of my bulletin board theme for this year.

 

Heeheeeheee!  Well, I sure hope this little guy will get that message across!  I was inspired by clip art and paper pieced him together...  How cute is that iPod???  Thank you, Glitter Meets Glue Designs!  She seriously has the coolest clip art I've ever seen.  I don't know how she does it.  Well, I've got about 3 characters finished and still need to work on many more, plus the title and all my details to make this "Musical Jungle" come to life!  Hopefully before we go back to school.  Thanks for looking!  If you have any ideas you think I should include, please feel free to share!!!  I love collaborating and get so inspired by all the amazing teachers out there.

Stay "Tuned!"

Tina

A funny moment - not teaching related - just me related!

Sometimes, the most ridiculous things happen to me. I'm taking a class this week and it's at another school in my district. (BTW - it's iPad Core training and it is EXCELLENT so far.) 

During my class, I had to use the restroom and as I was in there, the lights go out. Ok - so no big deal, right - they're motion sensored. Clap on! Clap off! LOL - nope...complete and utter PITCH BLACK in there. I mean - PITCH BLACK DARKNESS. No windows. And it's a H...UGE long bathroom -I've been in there maybe once??? I have to find my way OUT! First, I can't find the slide-lock on the stall...where is it? Where is IT?!?! I start to panic b/c I want OUT of this germ-filled space. I get out, and I teeeeeeny-tiny-Frankenstein-step-by-step-with-my-arms-straight-out-in-front-of-me to find my way to where I think the door may be...the whole time my eyes peeled WIDE, I can't see a thing, and I'm thinking "Get. Me. Out. Of. HERE!" (And wimpering, btw!) Right as I open the door, the frikken lights go back on and I swear I yell, "You BASTARD!" to noone in particular. I then run back in to wash my hands as fast as lightning and have to compose myself to walk back into my class and act like, "Oh yeah, I can pay attention now...even though I just had a traumatic experience in a bathroom at school!" And now I laugh about it thinking...only me.

 

So - I had to share this moment, just because this is one of those things that seem to happen to me...and happen often enough that I swear I am being followed by "Candid Camera" or some kind of "the joke's on you" type of reality show. Of course, at the time of it happening, there is no laughing, it is NOT funny, I can't believe it's happening, I'm flipping out...but after the fact, I have to laugh and can't stop telling the story because I know there have to be people who can just picture this in their minds (especially if you know me - lol!!!) and shake their heads saying, "OF COURSE, this kind of thing would happen to you!"  haahahaha!!!  

 

Thank you for reading my "Funny-but-not-funny" story of the day.  I am sure I'll have more to come in the future - knowing me.  Next post, will be teaching related...hahaha...well, hopefully!