My students love to play games in general music class. I'm guessing yours do to. Games are the epitome of making learning fun and motivating students to be engaged in the classroom activity. This is especially helpful at this time of year, when students (and teachers) are restless anticipating the beginning of the summer recess. … Continue reading Games in General Music
Classroom Management
Things We Can Learn About Teaching from Coach Belichick
I'm pretty sure many of us use sports analogies with our students. Whether it's a point to be made about teamwork, the importance of practice, or any of a number of other important subjects, sports seems to be an effective way to make this kind of thing relevant to students. I believe that the most … Continue reading Things We Can Learn About Teaching from Coach Belichick
Second Half Adjustments
Now that winter recess is over, and we're all back to school after the holidays, it is good to keep in mind that the second half is very different from the first. I have found that if I simply continuing going about my business in the second half just as I did in the first … Continue reading Second Half Adjustments
Pacing and Energy are Not The Same
Engaging students in classroom activities and keeping their interest throughout the lesson are both necessities and difficult. While many elements contribute to motivating students to stay on task and be productive in class, two important ones are pacing and energy. Pacing is the rate or speed at which you teach. Pacing that is too fast … Continue reading Pacing and Energy are Not The Same
Creative Flexibility Can Save The Day
As we enter another holiday season, I'm sure many of you who teach have already noticed the children getting a bit excited. Often, managing classroom behavior becomes more difficult as holiday anticipation and excitement builds. For this reason, it is good at this time of year to consider strategies that will help us stay on … Continue reading Creative Flexibility Can Save The Day
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
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
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
Using Student Feedback to Plan Music Instruction
When it comes to teaching, I'm a pretty old school kind of guy. Many teachers, and I count myself among them, tend to teach the way we were taught, especially if we were generally successful in school. For me and I would guess most others of my generation, we accepted what the teacher told us … Continue reading Using Student Feedback to Plan Music Instruction
mister a music place 
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