I love organizing and planning before the start of the school year. It gives me a sense of control, a feeling that happens quite infrequently once the school year begins. This year, I created a custom lesson planner and student record book. My goal is to keep track of what actually happens in the classroom. I think of each lesson plans as a rough draft. The lesson log is the final edit, which guides and inspires me when creating the next sketch.  Lesson Plans When planning, I ask myself these questions: Where are my students in terms of musical skills? What are the next sequential steps to help students develop their skills further? What is the most efficient and musical way to execute #2? I see students once every six school days. I like to plan 3 to 4 cycles ahead.  Here is a 2-page example of a lesson plan that spans over 3 cycles. 

New song is like a new adventure Do you ever get excited about teaching a new song to your students? For me, developing teaching ideas for a new tune is as intriguing as going on an exotic road trip. There are so many possibilities! You never know what you will find along the way. Often, my best guides on this journey are my students. The challenge is to keep a good "travel log": remembering to write down all the different music games we end up creating and exploring. The song "Get Rolling" from my new Songbook collection is one of these songs. It started as a simple movement activity. On our musical journey, my students and I discovered many fun ways to play with this tune. I hope you enjoy it with your students. Please feel free to share new discoveries in the comments below! Get Rolling Early Childhood Emphasis  Take a nap:  Sing this tune during a “nap” activity. Turn down the lights, and invite everyone to lay down. Once the song becomes fami...

Songs without words are a wonderful opportunity to focus solely on music and movement. This week, we are musiking with the song "Bouncing Ball" from "Growing Up With Music" songbook, and experimenting with form, movement, resting tone ostinato, and rhythm. Originally, I composed this song for an early childhood setting, and often used a stretchy band to enhance it. With upper elementary students, I begin by singing to them, and exploring the song's phrasing throrough locomotor and stationary movement. There are many creative ways to modify this activity. Below are just a few examples. PHRASE 1 STRETCHY BAND: Seated in a circle, gently bounce stretchy band to macrobeats. MOVEMENT: Swing arms to macrobeats. Bend knees as you swing. PHRASE 2 STRETCHY BAND: Move the stretchy band in curvy pathways in front of you. Use indirect, bound flow. Avoid moving to the beat. MOVEMENT: Give a smooth ride to an imaginary object in the palm of your h...