Day 303: Collaboration - Elementary Music Literature Recommendations

Daily Blog Challenge Day 303/365

As I prepare for a new school year I am organizing different spreadsheets with resource ideas.  One of my goals this year is to incorporate more books into my clasroom.  I decided to create a public Google Spreadsheet with the hope that teachers can collaborate and create a resource we can all use.

Music Literature Recommendations

Please add your favorite books that you use in your classroom.

Thank you for reading and sharing.

Day 299: Water Your Garden

Daily Blog Challenge Day 299/365

 “The grass is not greener on the other side. It’s greener where you choose to water it.” (Found on Twitter).

There were times this past year when I felt my beat option would be to find a new position. There were times when the little things became too frustrating. One fact I always came back to is that there is no guarantee that another position would be better than the one I have.

The grass is not always greener on the other side.

I know this is a saying I have heard often throughout my life.  I found this new version of this quote (the added part about where you water) and I find it to be a great life lesson.

Our brain perceives what we focus on.  If we focus on all the negatives, our brain sees the bad things. At the same time, if we focus on the positives, our brain sees all the good things.  Our brain sees what we put our effort into seeing.

My main goal for this next school year is to douse my classroom in water. I want to put my energy into making my classroom better and making my student's musical experience better.

Where are you going to water this year?

Thank you for reading.

Day 298: Building Blocks

Daily Blog Challenge Day 298/365

I am beginning my third year in my current district and I feel I am slowly getting the program to where I want it to be.  I believe I have made progress my first two years and I look forward to making the elementary program even better.  Each year I ask my students for their input and many of these ideas are their suggestions.

Things I would like to add/improve my music program...

-A more stable 3rd/4th grade choir.
-Perform at the local nursing home.
-Have every grade Skype (2nd-4th) at least 2 times a year.
-Have students be more involved with our Twitter posts.
-4th graders do Innovation Day twice a year.
-More focus on music history.
-More creating activities.
-Have all students play a variety of band instruments each year.

Thank you for reading.

Day 297: Voxer (Technology Tuesday)

Daily Blog Challenge Day 297/365

Technology Tuesday

I had been hearing on Twitter about this app called Voxer for a while and I finally jumped on the band wagon and I love it!  It is a fantastic app and I strongly recommend you check it out.  You can send voice messages or typed messages to individuals or you can be part of group chats.  My favorite part of this app is the ability to connect with other teachers from Twitter without having a character limit and the voice option allows you to respond to questions when typing is not possible.

How do you use Voxer?  What are your favorite groups.  So far I am part of an exercise group, a digital citizenship group and the Christian Educators group.

Thank you for reading.

Day 296: Collaboration - Elementary Music Technology Resources

Daily Blog Challenge Day 296/365

As I prepare for a new school year I am organizing different spreadsheets with resource ideas.  I decided to create a public Google Spreadsheet with the hope that teachers can collaborate together and create a resource we can all use.

Music Technology Resources

Please share your favorite technology resources.

Thank you for reading and sharing.

Day 295: High Fives

Daily Blog Challenge Day 295/365

How often do you give your students a high five?
How often do you give your students a pat on the back?
How often do you give your students a hug? (If you don't teach elementary, this one is not as relevant.)

I know that I for one do not do these things enough. It is so easy to focus on the negatives that we miss the growth. We miss the progress our students make and we miss the opportunities to celebrate these moments with them.

We all want to feel appreciated and valued. High fives and hugs are great ways to show this to our students.

What ways do you show your students they are cared for, appreciated and valued?

Thank you for reading.

Day 294: Looking Forward to Next Year

Daily Blog Challenge Day 294/365

Each year has its ups and downs, but at the end of the day I feel truly blessed to be in the position I am.  I get paid to play sports (coach), work on computers and play music. What can be better than that?

The longer I teach, the more I am reminded that teaching is about relationships. Teaching gets a little easier each year I am at the same school because I have more time to build positive relationships with my students. Students (people in general) are more invested when they know someone is invested in them.

I am pumped for this next school year. I am excited to try new things and to improve upon things we started last year. I am excited to rearrange my room and I look forward to implementing many of the suggestions my students gave me.

What are you most excited about as you prepare for the upcoming school year?

The beginning of a new school year is always fun for me.  I love new school supplies and the opportunity of a fresh start. How do you help keep the new year excitement going throughout the year?

Thank you for reading.