Tuesday, November 14, 2023

Turkey Game

This time of year I often need a few filler activities as classes that would normally have 18 students shows up with 6 due to illness, field trips or parties where students leave after the event and such. I have a few simple games that are great filler activities but still allow for singing and community building. This is one I wrote this year after observing a classroom teacher play the game and the students begin chanting, "Run, turkey, run!" while passing the objects around. Hope you find it useful! 

  Game 
 One each of printed image of farmer and turkey. Cut out, laminate, etc. 
 Teach song. 
Players sit in circle. Sing song, pass turkey as quickly as possible from player to player. After a few players have passed, begin passing farmer to try to catch the turkey. 
Teacher can say, “reverse”, or “freeze” (or have a sound cue for each action) and students respond. 
Game ends when turkey is caught by farmer.
Enjoy!

Thursday, October 12, 2023

Chocolate Cookie

I have always loved this silly song and my students do, too! This is to the tune of the Dutch spinning song, Sarasponda.

Wednesday, September 13, 2023

Fruit Canon!

This is part of a series I am doing on TikTok and Instagram - Favorite Canons! The Fruit Canon is one of my absolute favorites - students LOVE this earworm! If you aren't already following on insta and TT check it out - more to come over the next week or two.

Sunday, September 3, 2023

Favorite Fingerplays

I love fingerplays, do you? There are so many different ones and the text is typically rhythmic and short, perfect for working on steady beat, rhythmic division, and expressive elements like dynamics and the four voices. They are also perfect to use with older students to develop ostinato (short, repeating patterns that create harmonic texture) and for improvisation. For the full slide set, click here. Here are some of the slides in the set:
Hope you enjoy!

Thursday, August 24, 2023

Bee Beat

 This is a fan favorite every year!  I love it for many reasons, not the least of which is the playful assessment I am able to do! 

Not on instagram or TikTok yet?  SO many wonderful music teachers sharing great content!  Go check out Bee Beat! 




Wednesday, August 2, 2023

Activity Posters

 Many years ago on facebook a music teacher shared these amazing poster cards I have used often.  My copies of the card got water stained over the summer with a leak in my storage room while my classroom was being painted, so I had to make new ones.  I have tried to find the original teacher who shared but was unable to.  So, thank you, unknown person. 

There are many ways to use these - display and ask students to analyze what is happening or for choice in what they want to do next or simply use these as a reminder for yourself about what options you have for different activities. Remember that "Play" doesn't always mean instruments - it can be games, body percussion, or instruments. 

For a copy of 8 x 11 cards to print for your classroom, click here (this will force a copy).

















Enjoy!



Wednesday, July 19, 2023

Movement Formation Cards

 I love using these to get my students into movement and dance formations -I simply hold up the sign and students quietly (or silently) move into position.  We practice moving into formations at the beginning of the school year and I use these often to get students quickly to where they need to be for various activities. 

UPDATED - I made them with stick figures also so you have a choice of which ones to print & use. 

Here's the link to the slide set to print.










Enjoy!