"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

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!

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!