Worked for Me Wednesday

I'm excited to link up with the awesome Aileen Miracle at Mrs. Miracle's Music Room for her "Worked for Me Wednesday" linky party.  For our posts, music teachers will talk about something we've done before that we've found that has worked for us!  After you read my idea below, simply click on this picture below to go check out some more posts with great ideas!

My post today is about my magical wind chimes.  Yep, they're truly "magical" in my little music world.  Well, at least for behavior management!!! 

Years ago, I was teaching a very chatty first grade class and trying so hard to come up with something...anything to grab their attention and keep it.  I am still not sure how I came up with this and how it worked and has continued to work for years, but I would bet money on the fact that it works because kids WANT to use their imaginations naturally.  So....this is what happened one very magical music class:  

"Boys and Girls, the strangest thing happened the other day!  I was teaching a class and by mistake I came over here and played the beautiful sound of these wind chimes and the next thing you know...my whole class just...fell asleep!!!  The WHOLE class.  AND then, the STRANGEST thing happened, when I played the wind chimes again, the class woke up, BUT, they had NO idea that they fell asleep.  They just sat up, looked at me, and smiled, like nothing had happened at all.  It was so magical.  I mean, I wonder if it only works on that class....or maybe just on amazing listeners out there....I mean...I wonder...would it...maybe work...on well....no...I don't think so.....well, maybe I should just try.....(cue the wind chimes...and down they go with a giggle!!!  Silently "asleep")  WHAT in the world just happened!?!  These MUST be MAGICAL wind chimes!  Wow!  I wonder if I play them again...(they all wake up and look around).  "Kids!  You fell asleep!"  "huh?  no we didn't...etc." - I mean, no way would it ever work more than once" (wind chimes - down they go...giggles, etc.)  And so on.  

They.  LOVE. this.

From the day I introduce this, I now have one of the BEST classroom management tools ever.  Simply play the wind chimes....kids automatically "fall asleep" and I can teach while they're silently attentive!  I use this for all of my "listening lessons."  They love it and ask me if we are going to play the "wind chime" game constantly.  I use it with my "Carnival of the Animals" unit when I want them to focus their listening.  I can tell you that I've had less than a hand full of "non-believers," but with a little persuasion, eventually, they cave in.  I usually just say, "Well, these really only work on the best listeners..." and MOST of the time they lie down...only once in 15 years, have I actually said to a child, just play along and have fun with us.  Again, deep down, it's all about "play" and using their imaginations - for most, it's just natural.  I love their "acting" skills, too.  "What?  Who me?  I wasn't sleeping."  hahaha! 

I have to also share that one year, we had a part-time music position added to our school.  This teacher had some 1st grade classes with students I had the previous year.  She was teaching a lesson and singing a song where there were wind chime parts and played them - to suddenly find....lol......her whole class laying down on the floor pretending to be asleep!!!  hahahahahaaaa! Oh my goodness did I crack up laughing when she told me this - I remember her describing it as turning around and seeing her class of "narcoleptic children and being totally confused."  They told her later about the magic wind chimes - but what a gift to know that my silly idea had STUCK with them.  Ha!!!!

So, that's my idea that TRULY "Worked" for me.  I hope you enjoyed it!  Please feel free to comment below if you enjoyed this post or even share something that completely has "worked" for you in your music classroom.  Thanks for stopping by!

"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