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

Popsicle Stick Seating Idea

I was so incredibly happy when this beautiful carpet became a part of my music room. 

One day, last year, I was thinking about how competitive some of my students were when they would walk into the room and race to get to a certain spot on the carpet.  Not only did it become a safety concern, but it was incredibly time consuming and draining to have to continuously reiterate or have students model how to walk in and choose a seat wisely.

I decided to solve that problem by making these popsicle sticks "choose" for them. 

Now, the students come in at the beginning of the year, take a popsicle stick, walk in, find their own special "music spot" and as long as it works out where they are seated near others they work well with, they can keep their spots each music.  Once I trust the group later in the year, (especially with  upper elementary kids) I'll surprise them and let them choose their own spot. 

One afternoon, I walked around my carpet and took individual pictures of each symbol.  Then, I printed them out, mounted them on white cardstock, laminated them and attached them to large popsicle sticks.  Not only are they useful for seating choice, but for choosing turns for games!!! 

It's been so nice!  Certain classes are more competitive with others, so choosing in a very random way takes care of this issue.  It's fantastic.

Check out the seating chart I created below. It's perfect to leave for a sub.

You are more than welcome to use it to fit your needs if you have the same circle carpet. I couldn't seem to attach it to this blog post, but if you comment below,

I'd be happy to share it with you via email!

Classroom Seating - Music Carpet Circle



This has been one of the most helpful time-saving ideas I have come up with yet.  

Do you use seating charts in your classroom?  Do the students choose where they sit? 

What has worked best for you and your classroom? 

Please feel free to comment and share your ideas below!