"Rockin' Resources Linky Party"

I am so happy to join up with Amy at Music a la Abbott for a "Rockin' Resources Linky Party!"  You can join as well!  Just click this image at the bottom of my post to go to Amy's page and then follow the quick/easy directions there!

 

For this linky party, we're asked to share a resource from our own TpT Store that we use and love.  Something I am so excited to share with you are my newest creations for my classroom!  With the adorable clip art by Susanna at "Whimsy Workshop," I created, Rhythm Reindeer Sets 1 & 2. 

 The best part about these sets is that I made them so the set can be used across 4-5 lessons.  During the first lesson, I introduce the kids to my "new friends" - the "Rhythm Reindeer!"  Aren't they adorable?  I mean, aDEERable? 

 

My first graders ask me what their names are - lol!  Then, I challenge the students to be able to clap/speak 16 patterns...and I ask for a volunteer score keeper (they love this job.)  This takes maybe 5-7 minutes to go thru and then I tell them next music, they'll visit again, but with a challenge!  The next class, I use the PDF game on the next slides.  They LOVE this and especially the BIG challenge. 

There also are printables for writing one note in each box to use in a follow-up lesson and then more sheets {for when you think they're ready} where the students will be completing measures and composing measures in 2, 3, 4/4 meter.  I would suggest that you project an example so the students understand to fill their character boxes with the correct amount of beats.  Perfect quick assessments.  And as a thank you for purchasing these files, I've included "Rhythm Reindeer Rhythm Cards" for you to print and use as whole group practice, in centers, as a game, or any other way you'd like!  {My littles asked me if they could keep them and color them - lol!}

Next, some resources by another awesome music teacher!  If you haven't discovered McPherson's Music Room yet, oh man - you've got to check out her interactive products!  They've changed my teaching for the better.  Let me tell you about one I have and love and another I'm going to purchase tomorrow during the TpT Cyber Sale.  She's got melody and rhythm files that are amazing for visual/aural learners.  My students ask me to play over and over again.  Last week, with first grade, I used her Whooo do you hear? Melody Sol Mi La (PowerPoint).  

It's so cute and awesome for aural identification/discrimination.  Simply click on the moon, and there are 4 choices of owls with melodies notated for the students to look at and figure out which is correct.  The sound effects are fantastic, the graphics and animations are always adorable and the game is so engaging for the students.  I'm definitely going to purchase her newest files starring an adorable snowman! 

This file comes with not just one, but TWO powerpoint files!  One for forte vs. piano and the other reinforces crescendo vs. decrescendo!  How great to have listening examples for the students to identify these concepts ALL IN ONE PLACE!  I don't know about you, but I get so frustrated with my iPod and CDs and shuffling or trying to find small sound clips...I don't have time for that.  But THIS!  It's ALL right here at my fingertips AND it's a GAME for the kids.  I love when they have no clue that they're LEARNING while having so much fun.  You've got to see how she animates these little guys.  So cute.  an interactive way to reinforce aurally recognizing dynamics with your students in music and then assessing the concepts? They will love watching the snowman move across the page trying to catch snowflakes!

And now, one last thing to include in my blog, a non-music product.  Yup - you guessed it.  Clip art. 

Ok - If there was a group called "Clip-Art-Addicts-Annonymous" - yes, I'd be in it.  I don't know if my poor computer can handle anymore images!  The fan is running constantly.  Yep...I need a new one!  I just keep debating...PC or Mac?!  Wah!  I don't know what to do.  I do; however, know what I want when it comes to clip art and these cuties from Susanna at Whimsy Workshop, are on top of my list.

And of course, they will be starring in some up and coming Totally Tuned-in Products asap! 

Ok!  So there you have it!  Some great choices to maybe add to your cart as you "Cyber Shop" away!  I mean, who doesn't love, "point...click...you're broke!"  hahaha!  Just joking - that's why it's great to shop when the BIG SALES are here. So much fun.  Remember your CODE at checkout - TpTCyber.  Enjoy.

 http://www.musicalaabbott.com/2014/11/rockin-resources.html

Thanks everyone and happy CYBER shopping!

"Sing"-cerely,

Tina

"Ricky Recorder"

As I was starting to set up my classroom for the new school year, I came across one of the cutest things I've ever made!  I couldn't believe that I COMPLETELY forgot to bring this out last year!  I think what happens to me is that my brain can only hold so much information...like the memory in a computer.  Mine lately truly feels the need for an update.   Anyway, here "he" is....I present to you..."Ricky Recorder!!!!"  (Said like "Ricky Ricardo" from "I Love Lucy," of course.)  heehee.

To help my students learn about the responsibility of having their own instrument, I like to have them think of their recorder as their own personal "Musical Pet."  Then I ask them things they need to do with a "regular" pet.....and they say, "Take care of it" - Ok.  Soooo, how do you take care of it?  They usually list things like "Play with it, clean it, watch it."  And I say, well, the same idea for your recorder.  As your musical pet, you'll need to do some things.
1)  Play with it!  It LOVES to be played with.  Well, how?  PLAY IT!  How often does your dog like to played with?  Every day.  Or as I recently started to say, "only on the days you eat."  ha!
2)  Watch over it.  Know where your recorder is.  Give it a "home."  It should "Live" in your backpack.    Like a dog house.  When you're done "playing with it" put it back in your backpack.  This truly has helped my students to remember to bring them to school.
3)  Clean it.  Yes, children...it even needs to "take a bath!"  Especially if you're sick.
4)  Let it rest.  What?  Well, like your pet needs to sleep, so does your recorder.  If you're too frustrated with a song, take a break, let your recorder take a nap and go back to try again later.

The first time I used the "Musical Pet" analogy the next day, the cutest thing happened.  One of my students came in with googly eyes on their recorder.  And she named it.  And put a "leash" on it.  It was the cutest thing ever.  And so, "Ricky Recorder" was invented and the phenomenon of very clever recorder pets invaded my school.  I loved seeing my students use their imaginations.  And honestly, it connected them so much more to their instrument.  Less children "forgot" to bring them to music because they were so excited about it being their OWN.

So - I made the cute little "Ricky Recorder" character out of foam and googly eyes, put him on the poster board, wrote down his reminders (Left hand on top, etc.) added a piece of dry erase board (I cut it like a speech bubble) and each day when 4th grade came to music, I'd write a little "note" from Ricky about their goal for the day, or what to practice, etc.

Well - "Ricky" Recorder will be coming to music again this year.  I'm so glad I found him and hope you've enjoyed this cute little idea to help your kids with the responsibility of having an instrument.  :)  Do your students have their own or do you have to clean them and keep them in your music room?  Do you have any great "recorder" tricks you'd like to share?  I'd love to hear about them!  Feel free to comment below!

Sing-ya Later!
Tina

Products for Prep

Time to link up with some music buddies and take the opportunity to share some great products that would truly come in handy when setting up a music classroom for a new school year!

With the BIG Back to School TpT Sale going on right now, it's always an exciting time to go through my wishlist and grab a bunch of goodies!  There's just SOOOO much to choose from now, so I'm going to highlight a few items of my own and a couple from some music friend's stores that I can't wait to grab. 

A big thank you to Jena Hudson from "Sew Much Music" for the adorable graphic above!
My entire store is 20% off plus with this code BTS14, you can get an additional 8%!  And my BUNDLES are already 20% discounted or more...so...you could honestly save 48% on some of my products!  I love to be a smart shopper, don't you?!  We call my Dad the "Coupon King" because he sends me coupons in the mail.  Isn't that so cute???

 So here are some products that you might like to have as you set up your music room this year!

 

Anyone need an eye-catching, sparkly MEGA set of music vocab for a Word Wall?  I did and I went a teeny bit overboard!  282 Words that print BEAUTIFULLY.  A great way to reinforce music vocabulary and of course, your Principal will be happy with that "reading" connection.  Worried about ink?  

There's an INK SAVER version as well - and with this sale, it's actually 48% off!  Holy Savings, Batman!

If you click the above picture, it will take you to a HUGE bundle of Treble Clef "Note Reading" printables.  One thing that I have NEVER gotten very good at is being prepared for being absent.  Setting up for a sub is one thing, but with us, as I'm sure you've experienced, setting up for a non-musical music substitute is always a challenge.  These printables are perfect quick assessments for elementary music teachers like me who see their classes just once a week in a short block of time! BUT, they also could TOTALLY be useful for sub plans!  I finally made folders for every month that I can grab easily if I'm going to be out sick and because there are over 44 pages, I grabbed a bunch to put in each folder - they're appropriate for many levels, too! 

  AND!!!  I plop these into those folders, too!  AND they're WONDERFUL for those days when your voice, just isn't 100%!  The kids ask me for more.  By popular demand, I bundled up all my "into Rhythm" and seasonal "Rhythm Fun" worksheets!  These are SO MUCH FUN and this set, is made up of 10 PDF files - 131 pages of printable note reading/identifying/musical math FUN!!!

Now onto my MUST HAVES List!  On my wishlist...is THIS "TREASURE" from Linda McPherson at McPherson's Music Room! 

It's a GAME and ASSESSMENT and it's just......perfect for note reading engagement and FUN.  My kids sure "ARRRRRRGH" going to be excited about this "treasure!"

 AND this one, too!  So adorable - from Elaine at Mrs. Ford's Melodies, it's Treble Clef Notes Matching Game!  It's such a cute ice cream themed game where students simply match the note  ice cream scoop with its name (ice cream cone). This would be perfect for centers, flash cards, or as a quick and easy assessment.

And honestly, so many more that I seriously am starting to think I have an addiction to TpT.  Oh wait!  I think I already knew that!  There's so much clip art in my wishlist, too!  HELP!  Creative people out there are definitely taking a tole on my wallet!  But I love it and that "inspired" feeling I get when finding great "treasures" like the ones above.  

So if you have a wishlist, get it ready and go shopping!!!  Most items could be up to 28% off! Remember to use the Promo Code BTS14! Thanks so much to Aileen Miracle for hosting this fun linky party.  Check out all of the amazing music teacher's blogs and great items they're talking about for prepping their school year who have linked up on her page here.

Thanks for reading and HAPPY SHOPPING!  

I'll be back with some exciting news in a couple of days!

Music Teacher Giveaway!

Have you heard about the Music Teacher Giveaway yet?  Well - here you go!  

From July 25-27, you can enter!

If you win one of these giveaways, you actually win 5-6 BUNDLES from different music teachers!  If you would like to enter to win BUNDLES of awesome music products for your music room, all you have to do is go to the following five Facebook pages and look for a "GIVEAWAY" tab that you click to enter.  :

Tweet Music

Lindsay's Kodaly Inspired Classroom

Music a la Abbott

Music Teacher Resources 

Mrs. Miracle's Music Room

My bundle being offered as a prize is my “Mega Music Glitter Bundle!”   Glitter up your classroom this year!  It's in the Grade 3-5 giveaways (Mrs. Miracle's Music Room).

 

It includes both Mega Glitter Word Walls (lavendar backgrounds AND the ink saver version),

Be a Music Room Rock Star Rules, Glittery Pitch Ladder (with ink saver version), and Music Elements and More set with jpgs to build your own slideshows.

There are prizes that are geared toward K-2, 3-5, and Middle School students, too!  

Here are some preview pictures.

 My fantastic music colleagues and I hope that you enjoy the giveaways and wish you lots of luck!  

"Sing-ya" later!

Tina

"Happy Moments"

I really needed to share what kindness there is out there.  Sometimes I have a really difficult time conquering those negative thoughts that happen throughout a day...isn't it terrible how one teeny comment can hurt and take up so much space in your brain and time of your life?  I have had a goal for a very long time to keep the positives on the front lines of my thoughts - the "I love you, Mrs. Jones...will you sleep over tonight?" notes from 1st graders....the "You have the most beautiful singing voice, Mrs. Jones!"  the "I want to be a music teacher when I grow up" the..."My daughters "play" Mrs. Jones at home and have music class!"  Those are the moments that matter.  And this one, is HUGE on that list of "positives" in my little musical world...today I walked back to the music room after lunch and on my door...was this:

One of my third grade classes made this for me - each heart was filled with a personal "thank you" and they turned them into music notes...how sweet was that???  I was so surprised.  Of course, the classroom teacher is one of the most kind, caring, and thoughtful teachers you'll ever meet.  They are very lucky students to have such a great role model and I am a very lucky elementary teacher to have such a wonderful colleague and friend.

I just needed to share this happy moment to let everyone know that even know it's not always said or expressed every day, you ARE appreciated.  And to read their kind thoughts, makes me remember WHY I do what I do.  I hope your days ahead at this very trying time of year are filled with many, MANY, happy moments!  And if you want to share some here, please do!  My "happy-o'meter" would love to be filled up!

Wild About Music!

Something very exciting will be "roaring" it's way here at the end of this week!!!  It's the "Wild About Music" Facebook Music Frenzy!!!

If you had a chance to gather up the amazing freebies offered during the December Frenzy, I'm sure you know that there is so much musical talent out there!  Over 20 music teachers have created great resources for your music classroom and are offering them for free for their facebook followers.  All you have to do is "like" each page in the frenzy and hop from one page to the next as you download your freebie files!   Aileen Miracle has already blogged about many of the "wild" treasures you be finding throughout these pages - visit Mrs. Miracle's Music Room to read about some of these goodies coming your way!

I can't wait for you to grab my freebie this time around and tell me if you enjoyed using it with your students!!!  I'll give you just one little hint about the animals I chose to go with our "Wild" theme...we haven't seen them in a long, long, lonnnnnnnng time.  But Fred Flintstone has!!!  heeheehee.  My freebie downloads include an interactive game and printable visuals for review.  I really hope you like it and would love to hear your thoughts! :)

And remember, starting March 28, just hop onto anyone of our facebook pages to start gathering up your "wild" and amazing freebies.  You are more than welcome to start on my FB page so you know where you started...once you reach my page again, you'll know you've completed the frenzy and gotten tons of great resources.  You can click the picture above to go to my facebook page.  Thanks for visiting!  :)  

Wishlist Wednesday

It's Wishlist Wednesday! 

What's "Wishlist Wednesday" you ask? Well, it's a perfect time to talk about items on our wishlists for TpT!!!  AND, as I'm sure you've heard, the BIG TpT Sale starts TOMORROW and goes until Friday!  For more details, look at this cute image from Krista Wallden at Creative Clips:

(Thanks for the great image, Krista!  Awesome as always!)

So a bunch of my music teacher buddies and I are taking this opportunity to tell you about one of our own products you might like to hear about, a musical item on our own wishlists, and a non-music one that could come in handy, too!  Here we go!

First, something from my TpT Store:

Here's my opportunity to tell you about one of my newest products in my store.  I am SO excited about these "Zoom to the Moon" Rhythm game sets. 

This is the fun game sheet you would print for either individuals or partners.  My kids LOVE these games and ask to play them often.  The students are "astronauts" and each have space shuttles ready to cover the pattern they hear "ground control" (a.k.a. the music teacher or an individual) clap or play on an instrument.  These games are great for rhythm reading practice and also for assessing how your students are doing with new rhythm concepts in a fun way that will not take up an entire class time as well as allow you the opportunity to easily assess through informal observation. 

Each set comes with printable flashcards and some suggestions for using them along with the game and directions for play.  Here's a pic of the flashcards you can print and laminate.  By the way, don't you just LOVE the beautiful clip art from Glitter Meets Glue Designs?  OMG - these print beautifully. 

 Each set is also available individually as well as in the bundle of rhythm concepts.  Check them out and let me know what you think!  I hope you have fun with these and your students.  I have sets for Melody in the works as well. 

Next:  A Musical item on my wishlist:

Just discovered this one via Pinterest and can't wait to get it in my cart and give The Bulletin Board Lady - Tracy King a well-deserved cha-ching: 

They are SOOOO cute.  I can't wait to see the whole set.  I wonder where she found this adorable clip art???  The sample pics show Harry and Hermione with paths leading to Gryffindor - Tracy wrote "Follow the path of the characters as they make their way to Gryffindor" in her description and I can see my 3rd and 4th graders especially excited about this since so many of them seem to be into Harry Potter.  I want to use these as warm ups before chorus next week!  "Wingardium-leviosa!!!"

 And finally, a non-music item, but something ANY teacher could adapt for their particular subject!  Have you seen "Pink Cat Studio's" interactive games???  If not, go see - I'm addicted!  This one is so cute!  I'm going to use it for note reading review and practice...I'll ask my students to name notes I place on the treble staff or for a strategy to read the notes from the treble clef staff...if a student can give me a strategy, they can go to the SMARTboard and click on an item to add to the monster!  You end up with a different monster every time!  My kids are going to go bananas for this game!

Man, I LOVE to shop.  And well, tomorrow, I'll be shopping!  What's on your wishlist?  Go on over to Music a la Abbott and link on up so we can all learn about more great products from each other! 

So if you have a wishlist, get it ready! Most items could be up to 28% off! Remember to use the Promo Code TPT3! Thanks so much to Amy Abbott for hosting this fun linky party! Check out the many great music teacher's wishlists and their stores, too! So many great ideas out there - why not learn from each other and make this world a more musical place?!?

Thanks for reading and feel free to comment below if you'd like to tell me about your wishlisted items, too! 

5 Favorite Pins of February

The last time I posted was 5 Favorite Pins of January time.  Somehow, time got away from me and it's...5 Favorite Pins of February Linky Party time!  I loved being a part of it last month, so here I go again!  Thank you, Aileen Miracle for the opportunity to be a part of these fun linky parties - check out her awesome blog here:  Mrs. Miracle's Music Room

#1) Dice Storage

This brilliant idea for dice storage and use!  Hello!  Why haven't I ever thought of this yet?  Small containers, magnet on the back, stuck to a decorated cookie sheet!  Kids are ready to play a game in centers and need dice - so they just go grab a container and know exactly where to put it away.  This came from the adorable blog at http://www.teachingmaddeness.com/2014/02/organizing-classroom-games-bright-idea.html 

#2) Adorable "Rockin' Note Paper!"  And it's a freebie!

I saw this and thought it was so, so, sooo cute!  And she gives you smaller sizes, too.  Couldn't this be used for a GREAT newsletter background???  Thank you, Hilary Lewis.  I love it and know I sure can use this cuteness for many, many purposes.  I bet classroom teachers could, too!

#3) Paint stick library separators

Yet another pinterest gem!   Simple - just plain paint sticks and alphabet stickers.  I had used folders with tabs to separate my music library into holidays, seasons, Mallet Madness stories, listening, etc, but they would get pushed back and lost in the books.  This.  Is.  So.  Smart. 

#4) "Recorder Corner"

This is my newest "want-to-do" for my own classroom.  I just wish I had another wall!  Everything recorder related, including fingerings posters all in one place.  Another one with no source - if it's your pic, please let me know! 

#5) ipod Goals Display

Gift boxes and goals.  Adorable.  Wouldn't this be awesome in the music room?  Yes, I'm working on one as well and will post a pic soon.  I would suggest using either "whiteboard" erasable paper that you can use dry eraser markers on or velcro on the backs to change out the goals....OR post the national standards for Music in Our Schools month.  So many possibilities.  Another great pin...and no source.  But bravo!  Love it!

Click this picture below to go to Aileen Miracle's blog

and check out her five favorite pins of February 

Do you have 5 favorites, too? Comment below, I'd love to hear about them and then, link up!

Directions are on Aileen Miracle's page below her post.

Thank you and "sing"-ya later!
Tina

5 Favorite Pins of January

So this is called, "Five Favorite Pins of January" and I am so happy to participate. 

Thank you, Aileen Miracle from the amazing "Mrs. Miracle's Music Room" for the invite!

If you haven't seen her blog, oh my...put that on your "things I need to take time to read and get inspired to do list."  This is my very first "Linky Party," too - so if you simply click on this picture at the end of my blog post, it will take you to Aileen's 5 Favorite Pins of January post! 

  

Here are my 5 Favorite Pins this month:

#1 Before You Tell the Teacher...
Man, oh man! Since we have gotten back from winter break I felt as if I needed a tape recorder since I kept saying over and over, did you try to solve the problem? I saw this on pinterest and was SO happy to add it as a quick and easy reminder for my little guys. Now I simply point if there is a little wide-eyed friend tugging at me (as I'm in the middle of a song...ahem!) LOL. This pin is from "The Littlest Scholars" Blog - just click the picture and it takes you to the blog where you can download and print this great poster for your classroom!
 

#2 Recorder Clip Art
Talk about perfect timing!  It's almost time for "Recorder Karate! at my school!"  I was psyched to see that Denise at Dancing Crayon created this very kid-friendly set!  I love them and can use them for soooo many activities.  Click the pic to grab these goodies!


#3 Unlock the Door - Syncopa Version
So I am a big fan of Aileen Miracle's TpT products and let me tell you, last year, when I found her first version of "Unlock the Door" I was hooked!  My kids worked SO hard to figure out which key had the correct rhythm.  Such a fun way for your students to practice syncopated rhythms.  Each page has a key with a notated rhythm pattern - the students listen to a sound clip and have to choose which "key" will unlock the door!  It's adorable and engaging, and perfect to assess your student's skills.


#4 Monster Invastion Composing
What a find!  I pinned immediately and did not regret it.  David at Make Moments Matter, has a great blog with tons of ideas for your music room.  After reading this post about his "Monster Invasion" game, I went bananas and ran out to the Dollar Tree to grab some "monsters" of my own.  You see, well the only way to get rid of the monsters invading the music room is to compose your own 4 measure pattern!  Check out the directions for this game and I guarantee you'll be inspired to make your own set and your students will have a great time COMPOSING (we all know we need more composing in our lessons!) and having time to be creative!  I'm thinking about extending the activity to have the students add the solfege and turn them into "Melody Monsters" and sing and play their compositions on instruments.  Exciting!!!  Thank you for the GREAT post, David!!! 
 

#5 The Dum-Dum Song! So I stumbled upon this pin one night and after watching it, my first thought, "I am TOTALLY teaching this to my 4th grade chorus!!! ha!!!" I think I will teach them just a little bit at a time during warm-ups, and add onto it each time we meet. What a fun and engaging challenge. Just click the picture or the link below and get ready to giggle.

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/315181673893691570/

And I just have to add....
an Extra Special Pin
(and a freebie from a lovely and talented friend in Canada)
This is something that is very close to my heart.  I hope you can take a moment to check it out and maybe pass it on to your other fellow teachers in your schools.  What a beautiful way to help our students demonstrate the power of kindness. 

Random Acts of Kindness Book

 

http://whimsyworkshop.blogspot.ca/2013/12/random-acts-of-kindness-class-project.html

Click this picture below to go to Aileen Miracle's blog
and check out her five favorite pins of January

Do you have 5 favorites, too?  Comment below and then, link up! 
Directions are on her page below her post.

Thank you and "sing"-ya later!
Tina