Times have changed. It used to be that teachers taught everyone the same way, without considering that children don't all learn the same way. Then we realized there are different types of learners, and we began meeting the needs of visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learners. Howard Gardner taught us about multiple intelligences, and a greater … Continue reading The Better Way
Games in the Elementary Music Classroom
My students love to play games. No matter what else I may have for them to do on a given day, as soon as I mention that we will be playing a game that day, they all smile and get excited. Music games are fun, yes, but there is also a learning goal to be … Continue reading Games in the Elementary Music Classroom
Why I Became A Music Teacher and Why It Matters
It is good to recall from time to time why we became music teachers. In my case, it was the desire to find something to do for a living that would include music making, and that would bring the immense enjoyment I had for making music to others; a kind of give back opportunity. I … Continue reading Why I Became A Music Teacher and Why It Matters
Time Is Precious, How We Use It Even More So
One of the challenges of being an Arts Educator is the relatively limited time we have with our students. Whereas Math or L.A. teachers see their students every day, music teachers often see a class once or twice a week. Teaching a year's curriculum within these curtailed contact hours can be daunting. A common response … Continue reading Time Is Precious, How We Use It Even More So
Where We Are With Progressive Education
I don't usually republish articles by other authors, in fact I don't believe I ever have on this blog. But this article is so "right on" and about such an important topic that I simply must share it with you here. I believe it will resonate with every public school teacher. FIRST … Continue reading Where We Are With Progressive Education
Starting a New School Year in Band
If you're a band director, then you know those first couple of rehearsals in the fall can sound, well, not pretty, especially if you have not had band camp or some sort of summer band program. Students have often not practiced much over the summer, and for those who take private lessons, they have been … Continue reading Starting a New School Year in Band
Use Student Talking in Class to Your Advantage
I'm not sure when I realized it, but I am certain that this is true: I will never entirely stop my middle school students from talking in class. It is like telling an ice cube to stop melting while it is in an empty glass on a picnic table on a warm summer day. Instead … Continue reading Use Student Talking in Class to Your Advantage
Setting Up Your Classroom with Lessons in Mind
As I write this post, it is three days before the first day of school for students in the new school year. Part of a teacher's ritual during those final days leading up to classes starting is to set up the classroom. New bulletin board backgrounds and borders, posters, word wall, rules, and other subject-related … Continue reading Setting Up Your Classroom with Lessons in Mind
My Approach To Composing
One of the things I enjoy about summer break is the opportunity to do musical things I don't have time for during the school year. Since my high school days I have enjoyed composing. I was encouraged in this by a high school band director who allowed me to try out my band composition on … Continue reading My Approach To Composing
The Thing About Learning
I am by nature a very thoughtful person. People who know me well frequently accuse me of overthinking many things, and I have to admit that they are right--I do overthink often. As someone almost constantly in conscious thought about something, there are many thought that come and go, forgotten as quickly as they arrived, … Continue reading The Thing About Learning
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