These past three, no probably four, weeks have been so rough. I fought off bronchitis for the first two, was out for an entire week with multiple rounds of antibiotics and steroids. The following week, I saved my voice for the groups who are performing in musicals and copped out with the others by showing a movie. I felt a little bad but you wouldn't believe how productive I became while they were watching.
I'm working on filling up my "Sub crate" but it's a work in progress. One of the best things I came up with this year was a game I called (aptly) Music Memory. I created a group format of the age-old memory game that they played in teams and they loved it. The biggest praise of all was the note from the sub that said "this is the best game ever." It reinforced music concepts but required no musical knowledge on the part of the substitute. My hope is to eventually have multiple plans like this.
Any ideas for me? Even if you don't know music, is there something you always found fun or a game you think I could adapt?
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Pirate Rules and Laws
I had to share this. A 5th grader named Qailah walked into class one morning and simply handed me a rolled up tube of brown construction paper. When I unrolled it, I busted out laughing. It was so clever.
This was from a student who doesn't seem to show a whole lot of interest in subject matter and simply likes to talk and be social. Just goes to show that often, they take in so much more than I think.
Finally Got a Date!
We finally have dates for musical performances!!!!
I cannot tell you how this makes me feel. I am so tired of bugging our assistant principal (who was delegated the job of go-between) and having people ask when it was only to look like I don't know what I'm doing because I don't have a date. It's not for lack of trying people, I've been asking since September.
Anyway, the 3rd and 5th grade classes will be performing "Pirates! The Musical" on November 19th at 2:00 during school (avoids all the myriad of after-school issues) and the 1st and 2nd graders will perform "Squirm!" on November 20th at the same time. This is the week before Thanksgiving so hopefully teachers will appreciate the 'break' it will give them from having to try to instruct crazy kids. On the flip side though, that leaves me to try and corral some of those same kids into something resembling a successful performance :P but I'm confident.
I spent my last workday (hacking up my lungs with bronchitis, but that's for another post) creating a pirate ship on the back wall of our stage.
I also painted the "Jolly Roger" :) Who knew that acrylic paint could go through such thick fabric.... oops. Fortunately it seems like our lovely custodian managed to get most of it out of the carpet.
I'll have to get a picture of the final product, as I added a railing and portholes. I must admit, I'm a little proud of it. So imagine my feeling when I asked the 5th graders if they'd seen it and they said yeah but I thought you were building a ship for us to stand in. Who the heck do they think I am??
Anyway, we've been doing a lot of work, trying to learn lines and remember words to songs so as an extra little bit of assistance (they don't know yet) I have rigged up a projector and screen behind the curtain on the side so they can see their lines.
A full report will follow, with final pictures and eventually pictures and review of the performance but just thought I'd share my happiness on finally getting something done.
Do you have any non-responsive administration or frustrating issues like this?
I cannot tell you how this makes me feel. I am so tired of bugging our assistant principal (who was delegated the job of go-between) and having people ask when it was only to look like I don't know what I'm doing because I don't have a date. It's not for lack of trying people, I've been asking since September.
Anyway, the 3rd and 5th grade classes will be performing "Pirates! The Musical" on November 19th at 2:00 during school (avoids all the myriad of after-school issues) and the 1st and 2nd graders will perform "Squirm!" on November 20th at the same time. This is the week before Thanksgiving so hopefully teachers will appreciate the 'break' it will give them from having to try to instruct crazy kids. On the flip side though, that leaves me to try and corral some of those same kids into something resembling a successful performance :P but I'm confident.
I spent my last workday (hacking up my lungs with bronchitis, but that's for another post) creating a pirate ship on the back wall of our stage.
I also painted the "Jolly Roger" :) Who knew that acrylic paint could go through such thick fabric.... oops. Fortunately it seems like our lovely custodian managed to get most of it out of the carpet.
I'll have to get a picture of the final product, as I added a railing and portholes. I must admit, I'm a little proud of it. So imagine my feeling when I asked the 5th graders if they'd seen it and they said yeah but I thought you were building a ship for us to stand in. Who the heck do they think I am??
Anyway, we've been doing a lot of work, trying to learn lines and remember words to songs so as an extra little bit of assistance (they don't know yet) I have rigged up a projector and screen behind the curtain on the side so they can see their lines.
A full report will follow, with final pictures and eventually pictures and review of the performance but just thought I'd share my happiness on finally getting something done.
Do you have any non-responsive administration or frustrating issues like this?
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
A little 3rd grade joy
Hallelujah! Today I had the third graders for our elective time (our last one together 😞) and they sang every song in Pirates! without music or words with few stumbles! I was so proud of them, it was hard to not swell their little heads.
On Thursday we are going to go run through it on the stage. Still no performance date yet. The assistant principle told me it would be on awards day but wouldn't you know he didn't tell me when that is! And of course no one else does either.
Well at least the 3rd graders are ready. And that makes me happy 😄
I'm slowly getting myself ready since I have to accompany the entire thing and come up with a set. I'm actually not dreading that because I love this stuff but the accompanying...now that's been quite the exercise in sight-reading so far.
Sneak peak at set design:
On Thursday we are going to go run through it on the stage. Still no performance date yet. The assistant principle told me it would be on awards day but wouldn't you know he didn't tell me when that is! And of course no one else does either.
Well at least the 3rd graders are ready. And that makes me happy 😄
I'm slowly getting myself ready since I have to accompany the entire thing and come up with a set. I'm actually not dreading that because I love this stuff but the accompanying...now that's been quite the exercise in sight-reading so far.
Sneak peak at set design:
Monday, October 22, 2012
Musical Rehearsals
We are 1 1/2 weeks away from the end of the first quarter when our 1st quarter electives end. This means that the musicals we are working on have to be finished. We won't have anymore time to work on them. This is rather scary.
The 5th grade class that I am doing Pirates! The Musical with is waay behind the 3rd grade who is doing it with them. I have them for their regular specials time on Friday mornings for 45 minutes and then on Monday for our electives time for 1 hour. Well, this past Friday I was out sick with a really sore throat, stopped up head and general fatigue. Sunday, I went to Urgent Care and was given an antibiotic for bronchitis and an ear infection. Needless to say, I stayed home in a codeine-induced stupor. (No worries, it was prescribed)
I had left plans that would make it possible for them to still do some work on getting the musical ready but Murphy seemed to be in full force (Murphy's Law..?) The teacher who subbed for me on Friday is one of our teacher assistants so the kids all know him. His delightful comment? "The fifth graders were horrible on Friday." Monday there was a different sub, same results: "This class was the most disrespectful, rude and disruptive class I have ever had." We had quite the "Come to Jesus" meeting on Tuesday in which I informed them that I can and will cancel any performance if their behavior doesn't change. And scared a few with the thought that their teacher and I might make a house call to discuss behavior.
Anyway, not only are we struggling to learn the songs, but don't forget the script! I may just end up having to let them hold scripts in their hands.... I hate that, it looks so unprepared. But it may be the only way. Good news: the third graders don't need it :) the only thing we struggle with is remembering words to songs. It's sad when you have to count on 14 3rd graders to carry along 23 5th graders...
P.S. I still haven't gotten a date for performances. It's been over a month since I asked the first time.
P.P.S. Nor do I actually have the musical books! I had to get them on approval with my credit card. And when I dared to ask about them the other day in an email (being that the 1st quarter is up and the 2nd quarter, with new musicals, is right around the corner), I was given a curt "We haven't had the funds. I'll let you know." It's a measly $20 a book AND she approved the books at the beginning of the quarter, that was part of the proposal! What does she think I've been doing if she hasn't purchased the books?
To brighten your day, here's the 3rd graders. No faces are shown for obvious reasons (I don't look forward to my first angry parent confrontation).
The 5th grade class that I am doing Pirates! The Musical with is waay behind the 3rd grade who is doing it with them. I have them for their regular specials time on Friday mornings for 45 minutes and then on Monday for our electives time for 1 hour. Well, this past Friday I was out sick with a really sore throat, stopped up head and general fatigue. Sunday, I went to Urgent Care and was given an antibiotic for bronchitis and an ear infection. Needless to say, I stayed home in a codeine-induced stupor. (No worries, it was prescribed)
I had left plans that would make it possible for them to still do some work on getting the musical ready but Murphy seemed to be in full force (Murphy's Law..?) The teacher who subbed for me on Friday is one of our teacher assistants so the kids all know him. His delightful comment? "The fifth graders were horrible on Friday." Monday there was a different sub, same results: "This class was the most disrespectful, rude and disruptive class I have ever had." We had quite the "Come to Jesus" meeting on Tuesday in which I informed them that I can and will cancel any performance if their behavior doesn't change. And scared a few with the thought that their teacher and I might make a house call to discuss behavior.
Anyway, not only are we struggling to learn the songs, but don't forget the script! I may just end up having to let them hold scripts in their hands.... I hate that, it looks so unprepared. But it may be the only way. Good news: the third graders don't need it :) the only thing we struggle with is remembering words to songs. It's sad when you have to count on 14 3rd graders to carry along 23 5th graders...
P.S. I still haven't gotten a date for performances. It's been over a month since I asked the first time.
P.P.S. Nor do I actually have the musical books! I had to get them on approval with my credit card. And when I dared to ask about them the other day in an email (being that the 1st quarter is up and the 2nd quarter, with new musicals, is right around the corner), I was given a curt "We haven't had the funds. I'll let you know." It's a measly $20 a book AND she approved the books at the beginning of the quarter, that was part of the proposal! What does she think I've been doing if she hasn't purchased the books?
To brighten your day, here's the 3rd graders. No faces are shown for obvious reasons (I don't look forward to my first angry parent confrontation).
Sunday, September 30, 2012
The Music Room
It's been awhile since school started but I never got around to posting pictures of my room and how I rearranged it. Last year was my first year teaching and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools being what it is, I didn't actually get into the classroom for almost 4 weeks after I was hired. I was hired the day before school started so when I actually did start teaching, it was CMS orientation on Friday, dumped in the classroom on Monday. With a full schedule of kids. Needless to say I had no time to do Anything in my room besides maintain my sanity. So during the workdays in June and at the beginning of this year, I moved everything that was not bolted to the wall.
My desk had been facing the wall (that's a good way to watch children right?), the piano right next to it (also staring at the wall) made for very awkward body positions trying to play while being able to see anyone. And trust me, being able to see them is VERY important. You wouldn't believe what can happen in the 1.3 seconds it takes to look down at the keyboard. Anyway, I moved the tv stand, my desk, the piano, the computer desk and its' two student computers, my file cabinet (note to self - take files out next time), my student folder cabinet, a bookshelf with shaky shelves and two keyboards, rearranged all my Orff instruments, got rid of old books, cleaned out the old teacher's crap and tossed some really nasty looking plastic bottles.
Here's to a new (and much improved in my opinion) music room!
My desk had been facing the wall (that's a good way to watch children right?), the piano right next to it (also staring at the wall) made for very awkward body positions trying to play while being able to see anyone. And trust me, being able to see them is VERY important. You wouldn't believe what can happen in the 1.3 seconds it takes to look down at the keyboard. Anyway, I moved the tv stand, my desk, the piano, the computer desk and its' two student computers, my file cabinet (note to self - take files out next time), my student folder cabinet, a bookshelf with shaky shelves and two keyboards, rearranged all my Orff instruments, got rid of old books, cleaned out the old teacher's crap and tossed some really nasty looking plastic bottles.
Here's to a new (and much improved in my opinion) music room!
This is the view standing at the door of my room. I give my kids assigned seats - it cuts down on talking and younger kids fighting over who sits next to whom. I have found that while they groan about it, it eliminates the possibility of anyone feeling ostracized or left out because no one is trying to sit next to them.
The tape is a new thing this year that I love. I can't tell you how frustrating it can be to spend time after every class redoing my chair rows. It is amazing how far a kindergartner can move without you realizing it's happening! So as a beginning of the year procedure, we went over how to do "Chair checks." I simply say "chair check" and they all check to make sure the back legs of their chairs are on the tape lines. So easy.
This is the straight down the room view. You can see my Kodaly hand sign posters doing up the back wall and some of the posters I made with our fabulous poster maker (seriously, it has changed my life). I am blessed to have a sink with water fountain and paper towel dispenser in the back on the right. The student books are also stored over there under the cabinet.
This is a bulletin board that I leave up. I bought 25' of loop side velcro (not the hook part, just the loop) from a warehouse company and spent an afternoon last year putting it up in straight lines - not easy. It was sticky on the other side so I simply stuck it to the board. I cut out clef signs, laminated them and put velcro on them so I can move them if necessary. I also used plastic baseball card holders to put quarter notes, half notes and quarter rests in and put velcro on the back of those. This makes it so easy for kids to write music for the class to see without me spending ages drawing a staff and them trying to draw notes on the board. I made it so that the notes can be placed so that they go on the lines or the spaces.
My word wall with bookshelf and "reading corner" tucked in behind the piano. I decided that instead of kids coming up and asking what they can do when they finish early, they can go get a book and read. They love this! I'm not sure if it's the reading or the comfy pillows... I would love to get more music-themed books but since I have a "champagne taste on a beer budget," right now any books work. I also have games on the bottom shelf that we will be pulling out in class. The clipboard on the right is one of six I have hung on command hooks around the room for centers or group work. No more pointing to an area and saying a number while kids aren't paying attention.
My not usually so messy desk area. The folder hanger on the wall is where I store my lesson plans by grade level as well as seating charts and class lists.
The frames hold my objectives for each grade level (so easy to change!), I bought dollar store frames and put scrap book paper in them - instant cute dry erase boards. I also have laminated days of the week with magnets for easy changing.
The Student of the Week board is my way of encouraging positive behavior and participation in class for the older kids. I also just added laminated 'frames' (scrapbook paper cut into a frame) that I stapled so I can just slide the certificate in and out. Each week I pick one 4th grader and one 5th grade from each class (there are two of each) and post them on the board. They then get to pick a prize out of a big box that includes $5 to our school store, a bag of Takis (all the rage, really hot rolled chip things), candy bars, book bags, planners, basically anything cool I can get for little or no money.
This is the door to my room. The red folder on the door is my emergency folder that we are required to take on a fire drill or any other emergency. I attached it with command velcro (Command is my new best friend) strips so I can pull it off on the way out. The poster on the door is my Rule set. To the left of the door is my K-3 reward system. We call it the sticker chart - high tech I know. Basically, I have three laminated, magnet stars I keep on my whiteboard. At the end of the class, however many stars are left on the board = how many stickers go on their chart (note the guideline poster above the chart). When they reach ten (the limit), K-2 goes to the prize box and 3rd gets a party with fresh-baked cookies and either games or a movie.
Last year I did the sticker chart but without the star idea and I got so sick of hearing "how many stickers are we going to get???" So now I tell them they can't ask me, they know how to find out (just look at the board). It's also an easy way of reminding them to get their behavior back on track because I can simply walk over without saying a word and go to take a star off and they freak.
So, I realize I have written a rather long picture book but I am proud of how much my room has improved over last year. I hope you've enjoyed this tour, please feel free to tip the guide. :)
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Little time, big expectation
So, as typical of the world of education, we Specials teachers (if I haven't explained, that means everyone else. Computer, Media, Art, P.E. and Music) got thrown a big job with very little warning or prep time. Each grade level needs time to plan together as a team but the way our schedule works makes that hard to find the time. So our administration has tried several things.
Last year, we did "double Specials" meaning that we had them for 1 hr and 30 min with half of that time being devoted to a Reading Special. We read a loud to the kids and then they had to do an activity on it. Well that was flushed because teachers often didn't plan anything for us (they were supposed to. surprise.) and it wasn't really effective as an instructional time. This year, they decided to do it differently and give each team one day a week to have the last hour and a half of the day to plan together. Well someone has to 'babysit' the kids.... Guess who? Now let me preface this by saying that it's not a bad idea. It's just the way that it was presented and carried out that has left a bad taste in my mouth.
The four teachers who are involved in this were called in to a meeting on Tuesday. We were told that it would be a rotation by quarters, so we would see the same class in each level for 8-9 weeks then rotate. This time is supposed to be spent on a subject or topic of our choosing (completely open to us) with a presentable outcome or project, multicultural focused, tied in to our school's magnet theme (Spanish Immersion/Cultural Diversity) AND connect to either Common Core or my Essential Standards. And our proposals with material requests and costs were due on Friday.
Less than 4 days. Oh and you start on Monday with no time to get materials. Let me tell you, that is Not the way to get me excited about a project. Especially one that involves me and 25 kindergarteners together for 90 minutes.
All that said, I decided to focus on musical theater since it's something I really enjoy and isn't too far a stretch for me to accomplish. I decided to have 3-5 do one together and K-2 do one, working on it separately in the times that I had with each grade level. So I spent some time searching for age-appropriate, short, easy (but FUN) musicals and found 4 for each group that I liked (a different one each quarter). I emailed my proposal with a summary, material list (the musical books) and pricing to our principal but was told that $300 was too much, I needed to trim it down. I cut it to 4 (2 for each level, repeated in alternate quarters) and she said that was fine. HOWEVER our financial secretary had left for another job and we couldn't do anything until our new one was here. So I have to go how many weeks without the materials? And you still want something presentable? Right.
Long story short, I found a website that I could order them on approval (without paying!) for 30 days. I picked Pirates! The Musical for the older group and Squirm! for the younger ones. I had them 2-day airmailed to me, got them Saturday and started working on Pirates! The Musical with the 5th grade yesterday. It looks like it's going to be a lot of fun. Third grade is today :) I'm actually kind of excited. Maybe I'll get to make a pirate costume too.
If you are interested in what we are doing, I will be posting more about it as we go as well as pictures. You can also look them up on www.popplersmusic.com which is the website that has saved me.
K - 2nd grades
3rd - 5th grades
Last year, we did "double Specials" meaning that we had them for 1 hr and 30 min with half of that time being devoted to a Reading Special. We read a loud to the kids and then they had to do an activity on it. Well that was flushed because teachers often didn't plan anything for us (they were supposed to. surprise.) and it wasn't really effective as an instructional time. This year, they decided to do it differently and give each team one day a week to have the last hour and a half of the day to plan together. Well someone has to 'babysit' the kids.... Guess who? Now let me preface this by saying that it's not a bad idea. It's just the way that it was presented and carried out that has left a bad taste in my mouth.
The four teachers who are involved in this were called in to a meeting on Tuesday. We were told that it would be a rotation by quarters, so we would see the same class in each level for 8-9 weeks then rotate. This time is supposed to be spent on a subject or topic of our choosing (completely open to us) with a presentable outcome or project, multicultural focused, tied in to our school's magnet theme (Spanish Immersion/Cultural Diversity) AND connect to either Common Core or my Essential Standards. And our proposals with material requests and costs were due on Friday.
Less than 4 days. Oh and you start on Monday with no time to get materials. Let me tell you, that is Not the way to get me excited about a project. Especially one that involves me and 25 kindergarteners together for 90 minutes.
All that said, I decided to focus on musical theater since it's something I really enjoy and isn't too far a stretch for me to accomplish. I decided to have 3-5 do one together and K-2 do one, working on it separately in the times that I had with each grade level. So I spent some time searching for age-appropriate, short, easy (but FUN) musicals and found 4 for each group that I liked (a different one each quarter). I emailed my proposal with a summary, material list (the musical books) and pricing to our principal but was told that $300 was too much, I needed to trim it down. I cut it to 4 (2 for each level, repeated in alternate quarters) and she said that was fine. HOWEVER our financial secretary had left for another job and we couldn't do anything until our new one was here. So I have to go how many weeks without the materials? And you still want something presentable? Right.
Long story short, I found a website that I could order them on approval (without paying!) for 30 days. I picked Pirates! The Musical for the older group and Squirm! for the younger ones. I had them 2-day airmailed to me, got them Saturday and started working on Pirates! The Musical with the 5th grade yesterday. It looks like it's going to be a lot of fun. Third grade is today :) I'm actually kind of excited. Maybe I'll get to make a pirate costume too.
If you are interested in what we are doing, I will be posting more about it as we go as well as pictures. You can also look them up on www.popplersmusic.com which is the website that has saved me.
K - 2nd grades
3rd - 5th grades
Friday, September 14, 2012
Here we go
As a second year general music teacher, I am constantly trying to find ways to engage more students, get the concepts across and make it fun so it sticks. I know I'm really new to the profession so I do not claim to be an expert by ANY means. However, I do think that I've had some rather brilliant eureka moments in the past year that have led to lots of fun and music learning.
It is extremely rewarding when I get comments like "Wow, you actually learn in Music!" and "Man, I wish my music teacher had taught me that." Getting validation from general classroom teachers can be quite difficult and we "Specials teachers" often find ourselves fighting for what other teachers count as their right: a classroom, respect of our class times, materials, admin support, respect of the 4 years that we also spent in college learning to teach our subject. I've been very lucky so far at my school but I'm always looking for ways to make my class feel more valuable to our overall school culture.
I love finding new ideas online (often in blogs like this from wonderful, generous veteran teachers) and that has often spawned creative brain vomit. Finding cheap ways to create awesome learning experiences is my number one goal.
Well, besides helping my kids love and understand something about music.
Anyway, I digress. The whole point of this is to say that I want to share my ideas with you. I don't think my students have a monopoly on fun learning nor should your students miss out because, like me, you've had those moments of "I don't know what else to do! They just don't get it!" This blog is my place to share what goes on in my music room with you. Aren't you excited? ;)
So, here begins my first foray into the world of blogging. Technology and I have a way of falling out of sorts so I beg your patience and forgiveness ahead of time. I'm sure I'll need it.
It is extremely rewarding when I get comments like "Wow, you actually learn in Music!" and "Man, I wish my music teacher had taught me that." Getting validation from general classroom teachers can be quite difficult and we "Specials teachers" often find ourselves fighting for what other teachers count as their right: a classroom, respect of our class times, materials, admin support, respect of the 4 years that we also spent in college learning to teach our subject. I've been very lucky so far at my school but I'm always looking for ways to make my class feel more valuable to our overall school culture.
I love finding new ideas online (often in blogs like this from wonderful, generous veteran teachers) and that has often spawned creative brain vomit. Finding cheap ways to create awesome learning experiences is my number one goal.
Well, besides helping my kids love and understand something about music.
Anyway, I digress. The whole point of this is to say that I want to share my ideas with you. I don't think my students have a monopoly on fun learning nor should your students miss out because, like me, you've had those moments of "I don't know what else to do! They just don't get it!" This blog is my place to share what goes on in my music room with you. Aren't you excited? ;)
So, here begins my first foray into the world of blogging. Technology and I have a way of falling out of sorts so I beg your patience and forgiveness ahead of time. I'm sure I'll need it.
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