The Elementary Music Teacher Podcast: Music Education

In this episode, we'll go over simple strategies to set your music classroom up for success.  Whether you teach on a cart, have a small classroom, or have a large classroom, you'll find some tips that will work for you.  The blog posts that go right along with this episode are: Setting up Your Classroom for Maximum Effectiveness  Ideas for Decorating Your Classroom 5 of the Best Mus...

In this episode, Audrey Jones and I have a discussion about what it's like to teach in a large, Title 1 school.  You'll discover that although it gets a little overwhelming at times, every day is a new day and your students need you! Audrey Jones is a fifth year teacher at a large title one school in Texas. She's passionate about cultural relevance and compassion in the classroom. Outside of...

In this episode, we're going to talk about how to build relationships with your students as the music teacher.  It can be overwhelming trying to connect with your students when you have so many of them.  But, there are strategies and ways that you can effectively connect with them.  You can read the blog post that goes right along with the podcast episode here.   The strategies...

In this episode, Justin Griffith and I talk about teaching composing to your students, how to use technology, even if you don't have much of it, and starting a pitched percussion (or any other) ensemble.  He shares so many amazing and helpful advice for elementary music teachers.  After studying classical voice & graduating with a Bachelor of Music Degree from the University of North...

In this episode, 3 teachers share their stories of how they became an elementary music teacher and how joining the HARMONY membership has helped them gain momentum in their teaching and balance in their work-home life.   Download a FREE HARMONY lesson plan pack sample right here. How will joining HARMONY change your life for the better?  To find out and to sign up for HARMONY, click here...

Are you struggling to find a work-home life balance you so desperately need as an elementary music teacher?  In this episode, I'm going to share with you 5 tips that will help you go into the school year with a little more ease.   You can read the blog post that goes along with this episode here. To sign up for HARMONY that was mentioned in this episode, click here.     I'...

How can you start the school year off with success?  What are ways you can reflect on last school year and adapt things to work for this coming school year?  We'll explore that and more in this podcast episode.  You can also read this blog post to get even more tips to help you prepare for the upcoming school year.  I'd love for you to leave a rating and a review of the podcast...

I'm so excited about today's episode with David Row.  We're discussing a little bit of everything pertaining to Orff, centers, puppets, and books.  His teaching style is just so much fun, and I loved talking with him about all the things and am so honored to have him on the podcast.  David Row loves teaching music to kids.  A Nebraska native and Midwesterner at heart, David now...

It's 4th of July, which means it's America's birthday.  So, what better way to celebrate than by sharing 10 of my favorite Patriotic songs to teach to elementary students, both old and new.    You can read the blog post that goes right along with this episode here.  It contains links to listen to snippets of some of the songs mentioned as well as some YouTube links as well.&nbs...

In episode 52, we discussed how to go about choosing teaching resources to use in your own unique classroom.  But today, I want to share some of my favorite resources and why I like them just so darn much.   You can find most of these resources I discussed today here.  I'd love for you to leave a rating and a review of the podcast on I-tunes, be sure to share the podcast with any mu...

Today's episode is a guest interview with Jane from sillyomusic.com .  I'm so excited about this episode, because we're talking all about how to use routines to effectively help with classroom management in the elementary music classroom.  Jane shares so much insight about how to use routines effectively, how to know if they're not working for you, and what to do when you need to c...

In this episode, we're going to talk about how to choose music resources to teach when there's so much out there!  It can get so overwhelming with so much available and not knowing what to pick!  I'm going to break down a step by step strategy for you to be able to choose resources and not get so overwhelmed while doing so.  I'd love for you to leave a rating and a review of the pod...

In this episode, we're going to talk about how to address the "it must be nice to get summers off" statement.  Even if you've never heard someone say this before, you may have felt some guilt around having summers off.  We'll discuss why taking a break is needed and why you simply don't need to justify you taking a break to anyone else.   You can read the blog post that goes right a...

In this episode, Kristen and I will discuss music literacy.   She has some amazing advice and insights when it comes to helping kids not just learn to count notes, but understand how rhythms and note reading all fit together like a puzzle piece.   Kristin M. Pugliese has been an educator for more than 15 years, first in early childhood education and then in the music class...

In this episode, we'll discuss easy ways to prepare your music classroom for summer.  You'll learn how to store your instruments, what to do with the other resources, and why thinking about the beginning of next school year is so important.  To read the corresponding blog post for this episode, click here .   I'd love for you to leave a rating and a review of the podcast on I-tunes,...

In this episode, we'll explore exactly you need to know about putting on a talent show.  If you've never put on a talent show before, it can be overwhelming knowing where to start and how exactly to do it.  This episode comes right from lesson 19 of The Elementary Music Teacher Blueprint course. I'd love for you to leave a rating and a review of the podcast on I-tunes, be sure to share t...

Today, I'm interviewing Erin Elliott, who breaks down the steps she takes to teach Orff-Schulwerk in her classroom.   In this episode you'll learn: -how to get started teaching with the Orff method -ways to attend an Orff level or training -how to teach with the Orff method, even if you don't have many instruments -ways to incorporate other music teaching styles while using the Orff approach...

In this episode, I'm going to be super honest and real with you.  Anxiety is something I've suffered with for years and I want to share strategies that have worked for me with you, so hopefully you can feel like you can take a deep breath and help alleviate some of the stress you've been feeling.   To read the corresponding blog post that goes right along with this episode, click here. I...

In this episode, I'll explain 3 simple ways you can use keyboards in your music classroom.  We'll discuss, how to use them in centers, as a full keyboard lab, or for small group instruction, even if you're not a pianist yourself.   To read the corresponding blog post that goes right along with this episode, click here.  If you want to find out more about the piano courses you can us...

I’m so excited about today’s guest Stacey Garrepy.  Shes in her 3rd year of teaching elementary music at a Classical Christian school while also in her 3rd year in the PhD program at UNC Greensboro.  Today, we’re going to have conversations about what it’s like teaching while pursuing a post graduate degree at the same time.  We’ll also talk about what it's like to teach music with...

In this episode, we're going to talk about what to do with your students in the music room during testing week.  You'll learn effective, yet simple strategies, that still teach your students music, yet isn't overwhelming them.  Your students are already tired and don't want to focus on one more thing when they come to music.  So, leave that week open to having some fun and creating...

In episode 41, we talked about the importance of not losing your musicianship.  In today's episode, we're going to talk about how to bring your musicianship into your classroom. It's ok if you don't do things like the music teacher down the street.  Your musicianship will not look like anyone elses, so therefore you as a teacher will not look like anyone else. In this episode, we'll disc...

In this episode, we're going to have an honest conversation about why you shouldn't lose your musicianship.  You're so busy as a music teacher and in your private life, that practicing your instrument looks a lot different than it did while you were in college and before you became a teacher.  But, it's so important you still find the time to play your instrument for fun, even if you hav...

In this episode, we'll discuss ways to advocate for your music program during Music in our Schools Month.  Some ways to advocate aren't just about barging into your latest Congressman's office and demanding respect.   Most of the ways to advocate are about simply inviting parents and other teachers to observe what you're teaching to the students in the music room.  Sometimes, the si...

In this episode, Elisa Jansen Jones and I discuss mentorship for elementary music teacher's.  Mentorship is usually just thought of as being assigned one teacher to help you when you're starting out in your teaching career.  But, did you know it is actually so much more than that?  You are capable of getting the help and support you need as an elementary music teacher, even if you d...