Cue the Music...Part One

Imagine...all the possibilities of using music in your classroom.

You've got the Eye of the Tiger and pumped to use it.

That Baroque music is burning a hole in your pocket but you're just not sure how to implement it and when.

You've come to the right place.

Ages ago (last November), I had some people asking me about how I use music in my classroom.  I wrote a post about it (not much of a post for real!) and linked to a shortened list of songs and playlists that I use in my room.  Sad to say that the post was not very thorough as I must have been one tired girl that day...I'm sure all of you can relate!  ;)  I'm here to remedy that today.

Today I am taking this opportunity to explain WHAT music I use, HOW I use it, and WHEN I play it.  To be completely honest, yesterday's post about two essentials in my classroom, should've definitely included this third one.  I cannot live without my music in my classroom!!  :)

What do you play your music on?

First, I have my music in several spots for multiple reasons.  Inevitably, when you are in need of technology, you know something will go wrong.  Therefore, I have back ups.  My go-to is an iPod Nano docked in a speaker system that stays in my classroom all year.  I LOVE my stereo/speaker system because it can get quite loud and sometimes I use that to my advantage.  (Quite possibly my neighbor next door may not love that feature...but lucky for me she has never complained.)  It was a much needed  purchase several years ago from Walmart so I'm not sure they are still around or even available.   My other sources of music come from either my iPad linked to a speaker my Smartboard speakers.

How is your music organized?

All of my school music is divided into playlist by their purpose. When I started teaching, I just played my music but not on playlists (think changing 10 cds a day).  Ugh.  Glad technology is on my side now.  So. Much. Easier.  After going through a training and thinking more purposefully about my music, I spent that summer making cds for each playlist.  I narrowed it down to about 7 cds plus a few compilation discs.  (Kids nowadays will never know our struggles.  ha!)  Still a lot of changing...while trying to do a little thing like teaching and orchestrating my classroom exactly how I wanted.

Then came the iPod and playlists.  Now my music is divided into my core purposes and organized into playlists with these headings.

Anchor

Soothe

Energize

Focus

Orchestrate

Over time, some of my songs that were originally on the Orchestrate list (or others), made their way onto the Anchor playlist because the purpose changed and the beauty of playlists...they can be often modified without having to remake cds.  I am constantly updating and revamping playlists to keep them current, fresh, purposeful and most importantly, appropriate.

What do these words/playlist titles mean?

Anchor-Songs that have one specific purpose.  These songs are only played for the task/activity/moment each time.  

For example....these are some ways I use Anchor songs on my playlist.

ABC123 by Jackson 5-Spelling...Every Monday and Friday, I start that song and my kids know to get out spelling papers, pencils, and privacy folders.  They put names on their paper and immediately when that song ends, I press stop and start my spelling pre- or post- test.  

Carwash by Rose Royce...Clean up.  Every time I need my students to clean up, whether it's after indoor recess, workstations, an activity, I turn on the song and without saying anything, they know it's time to clean up.

Return to Pooh's Corner by Kenny Loggins...At the end of the day the students transition back from their intervention classes.  During this time we are doing assignment books and talking about homefun.  This song lets them know it's time to calmly and quietly get books filled out and ready for going home.  If talking gets louder, so too does the music.  Grab their attention...and then turn the music to a softer volume.  Their voices should match the level of the music (or be off completely).

Soothe-Music that has words and/or instrumentals to be used during quiet times but not complete silence.  The songs on my Soothe playlist can play during times like a quiet art/craft lesson, during Math manipulative exploration, and/or free thinking at desks.

I will put on my Soothe playlist during a time when I want students working but they are not being assessed or doing any formal instruction.  The volume of the music should match the volume of talking in the room.  The quieter the music, the softer the voices.

Energize-Music to use during brain breaks, transitions, and/or state changes.  This music is typically upbeat and played at a louder level.  I use my Energize songs during desk clean out, after we've been sitting for extended time (think writing or long Math instruction), a day without any breaks or outdoor recess (get the blood pumping), and/or if I notice a lull in the room...students not responding after a long weekend or on a Monday (we've all been there!).  I will play some loud energizing music and have student wiggle and giggle and dance or do push ups and sit ups and jumping jacks.  Anything.  Truly.

Focus-This is softer (almost silent) music played just above the hum of the computers and lights in the classroom.  It's used during silent focused times such as formal assessments, writing tasks, or guided reading (when I want my other friends silent while I meet with my groups).  I play Baroque music during this time not just any classical music.  Research has shown the number of beats in Baroque music is equal to a calm heartbeat of 60-80 beats per minute.  Students can think, respond, and react with more awareness in a calm state.  This Focus music helps students achieve that.

Orchestrate-My favorite.  These songs can be used to build rapport, set the tone, help with transitions, played during group activities/teambuilders.  This music tends to be more upbeat but does not have to be fast or loud.  In my classroom, I play everything from The Beatles Yellow Submarine to put papers in mailboxes to We Can Work It Out (by The Beatles again) when solving a Math problem together.  I like to play theme songs from kid shows or movies to help build rapport and create sense of team within our class community.  Each year the class dynamics change and new songs make the list which helps to keep my playlists fresh...especially the Orchestrate playlist where it seems to have a little more flexibility in what I add to it.  Again, the volume of music should match the desired volume of noise in the room.

What songs do you play?

I love to play both common kid songs and current "real world" songs.  Most kids I find are not walking around singing "Wheels on the Bus" anymore in first grade.  That being said, they get so much job when I turn on new music that they think is only in their world.  Making that connection allows them to buy into what I do a little more.  Think "Let It Go" when it first came out.  If you were like me, the first time you put it on in your class, it was for pure shock value.  What?!?  My teacher knows this song?  And within 5 seconds the entire class was then singing along.  Love. Love. Love.  You didn't replay the song 100 times in your room, but a couple more throughout the year because you knew the pure joy they got from letting it go.  (I had to.)  ;)

I tell parents this every fall since the first year I started teaching and I will continue to tell them until the day I retire...I am super picky about the music I not only play but recommend to others.  Before any song makes my playlist cut, I research the lyrics and sometimes even the meaning or background to ensure that it is safe and appropriate for children to listen to.  Long before I had kids, it was worse.  My theory is...if I don't feel comfortable driving in a car listening to my own children singing those words, I absolutely will not play them in my classroom.  Hence the reason for such scrutiny when picking songs.  I had loosened up (a bit) three kids later but my standards in my classroom have not changed.

However, I have a few exceptions.....

There are a few absolutely timeless songs that are perfect for many occasions in the class.  For example...I love the song Imagine by once again The Beatles.  I love to play it in my class and expose my students to it.  However, there is ONE word..."No he_ _ below us..."  Fill in the blank.  Every single time I play this song (because yes, I still play it) I coincidentally always happen to either turn it down and give an instructional reminder or say something with the volume down so that word is never heard in my classroom.  Never in all my years has a kid ever caught on.  Phew!!  I make it look like a pure coincidence that I have decided to talk at that moment.  The minute I make a big deal out of it, I have piqued their interest and they will want to know what I'm hiding.  This is my little teaching trick when playing music.  ;)  

I think making those exceptions and songs can work for you without sacrificing your standards.

Here is a very basic list of my songs.  A lot of my songs on this list are dated...I know.  I enjoy exposing my students to a mix from Enya to The Beatles to Jennifer Lopez to current Disney tv shows.  So while some of them are dated, they still are purposeful.  

I left a spot on the list for "Your Ideas" because this was a resource I shared with my colleagues for them to add their own music to as well.  I kept it on there in case you wanted to do the same.  :)

Tomorrow I will share a sneak peek into my day and WHEN I play these songs.  

A sampling of my day in music if you will.

In addition, I am nearing the one year anniversary of when I began this blog.  It has been a bumpy and sometimes nonexistent blog to say the least this entire year, but I have no regrets.  Thrilled I took this on and excited to share more on Wednesday about this past year and what I have been working on.

Stay tuned...

Mr. Sketch and Easel Pads

Today's tip is one you might not find on sale anywhere but to me, it's so worth the money! These two supplies are ESSENTIAL in my classroom and definitely where I splurge when buying my back to school supplies each year.  

Mr. Sketch markers

and

Large easel pad with 1 inch grids

To many of you this may be a duh! moment when you stop reading because you already use both.  To those of you who have yet to try, I encourage you to make this year the year to do it!

I love Mr. Sketch (chisel tip especially!) markers because I can use both the thin or thick sides depending on what I'm making.  I also love them because they never most of the time they do not bleed through.  (I say "most of the time" because occasionally when I'm double tracing or coloring a bit heavier a few spots will go on to the next page.  Rare but happens.)

My second essential to my classroom is my easel.  More specifically...my large easel pads with one inch grids.  Why one inch grids and not just lines?  Good question!

I find that when I'm crafting a sign, creating a list, or even making large interacting boards for my students, I like being able to count the squares to make the signs more symmetrical.  (This especially comes in handy when I actually teach symmetry and equal parts.)  ;)  

Very often I am the only one writing on my easel, mostly because my students are typically doing more interactive activities on the Smartboard.  Over the years, my easel has become less interactive and used more for anchor charts and visuals I want up throughout the day not just when teaching that particular content.

These are some visuals I post to welcome or as reminders to an activity we've done or learned about.

I use my easel pads to create large games for my students to use.  This Shamrock Boggle was a big hit this year.  I took it off the pad and hung it on the back of my magnetic bookshelf.  Then my students used it as a hanging game board.

Often I use my pads for lists.  This is an example of my workstations list.  However, more often than not, I will pre-write just the heading and border and create lists with my students.  List of words, brainstorming story topics, references, important content, things to do, and so on.  

Throughout the year, I often show my students how I count the spaces or grids, use color choices for emphasis, or even point out specific fonts.  I do this because when they are working in groups to create their own posters (using my easel paper), I can often refer back to those little tips to help them make their posters more appealing.  And yes, first graders most certainly can do this!!  One of the millions of reason I love firsties.  They absorb all those little tips that others might miss.  ;)

I love it when they catch on and start to point out my color patterns or choices and/or even notice the "fancy" way I make my letters to match the content.  It very much reflects "Everything Speaks."

Both items tend to be a bit pricier but are definitely worth the money.  I've already picked some up and ordered more for later in the year when this first set runs dry from use.  

Those are my favorite buys!  

What are yours?

Fingers Crossed...Love to Apple

Yesterday I did a very silly or very wise thing.

If you remember back to the beginning of this month, I wrote about how I wanted to revamp my listening station.  Read about it here.  I have been pricing out devices...iPods Nano, Touch, iPhones, iPads, and so on trying to figure out what is the best deal to use to integrate more technology into my classroom for more individualized instruction during my listening station and guided reading time.

While I entertained several options of ways to obtain the money or ask family/friends/former parents for device donations, I suddenly got an idea that I'm hoping isn't too farfetched but I'm realistic enough to know, it just may be.

I wrote a letter to the Apple Corporation and mailed it to not only the corporate office in California but a couple retail stores in the area also.  As I sit here writing this on my iMac (and loving it!), I'm hoping they will take an honest look into my request and donate some new or used devices for my students to use this school year and for many years to come.  

Like I said...yesterday I did a very silly or a very wise thing.  

Only time will tell.  Fingers crossed that Apple responds.

Grab those Sales!

If you haven't already seen them, watch out, the aisles are filling up with...yes...gasp!  Back to School supplies!  (Can you hear my heart racing with excitement already?!)  ;)

Although I'm trying to stifle the urge to buy, I'm finding some great deals out there that I wanted to share before they are gone.  While I haven't been out looking for anything particular, a few things have crossed my path that I couldn't pass up on.  

Go grab them while supplies last. 

Found this rug at Costco the other day.  It's not overly large but I think it'll be a nice addition to my classroom.  There were 5 different styles ranging from solar system, letters (which I loved but thought may be too young), numbers, continents (which I already have a large one in my room),  and this one of America and it's landmarks.  (I didn't snap a picture of them all because we were three kids in tow and trying to hurry.)  I'm hoping to replace a few of my small ones that often slide around or students trip on with this one.

Very rarely do we visit Meijer just out of lack of convenient locations to where we live.  However, today we ran into one quickly looking for...er...Paw Patrol toys for my addicted son.  #thethingswedo

I needed to browse around a bit and found some supplies.  I found two large poster frames for a reasonable price that I will be using to insert premade posters and then use as a dry erase board on top.  Also, there were small chalkboards on clearance for $5.99 and really, how could I pass that up?  I'm planning to paint the frames and then create some signs for for classroom.  

The final thing in the picture above is a roll of fabric.  Every year I plan to make a banner/pennants/ties to hang in my room for extra decor but every year life happens and I never seem to get a chance to get fabric or cut it or on and on and on...  Meijer happened to have pre-cut fabrics in bundles on clearance also.  Not sure yet what will come out of this but I'll keep you posted.  

The final bargain hopping place I found some goodies at was of course...Target.  On Facebook, I see many of you posting about all the amazing things your Targets have on sale right now for teachers and classrooms.  I'm oh-so-jealous but to be honest, it's probably better for my bank account that my Target has yet to put out those products.  (My husband is especially thankful!  Although, I have not yet told him that's why I keep searching the Target Dollar Spot each week.  Shhh.)

Along with my fabric from Meijer, I planned on making a few new banners and pennants to use in my classroom also.  I bought two of these burlap banners to transform into.....something.  Still brainstorming something purposeful and educational to write on the pennants.  

The slate signs and the buckets will be used for another decoration and organizational piece.  

The last couple years I've been making all my own nametags and signs to help save money and to customize my own wants.  While it certainly has it's advantages, sometimes I think I just find other things I can't make to spend money on.  #teacherproblems  Anyone else have this prob?

At least I caught some good clearance deals and sales.  Now go get yours!

Chalkboards, Chops, & Changes

You all know my newest obsession for chalkboard sign making.  :)  

love.

However, I'm definitely not an expert nor do I claim to be.  I'm just a huge font nerd and a perfectionist which both come to my advantage when doing chalkboard signs.  

Most recently I was doing another sign for a friend (you may have seen a while ago on my Instagram page) and discovered a set back.  The set back turned out to be a great learning moment so I wanted to share in case anyone else out there had the same set back.

The board my friend purchased was a dry erase board (in the chalkboard section...easily mistaken).  Before I started writing with chalkboard markers, I wanted to do a few test runs to make sure after I finished doing the entire board it would not easily wipe off and be lost.  

Sure enough, the chalkboard markers came right off the dry erase board.  I researched numerous ways to preserve the chalkboard markers onto the board but was having very little luck finding any info.  Most of what I found was for preserving actual chalk.  It was time to do my own testing.  

I took a dry erase calendar board I had hanging in my office (which had good intentions when purchased but then officially just became my magnetic board).  I was going to chalkboard spray my friend's dry erase board but changed my mind at the last minute.  Instead, I did a little doodling with markers on the calendar board.  Then, I grabbed a cheap can of hairspray and lightly sprayed over the marker doodles to see what would happen.

The result...awesomeness!   I was able to "seal" the markers onto the board without having to chalkboard paint it first.  

Before I could move on to the actual board for my friend, I needed to fix my half hairsprayed and doodled on board.  Using a can of chalkboard paint, I covered the whole calendar and it dried within minutes.  Voila.

Then, it was onto my friend's graduation board for her daughter.  Since my only experience officially had been with first birthday boards, I had been brainstorming a collection of ideas (in my head) over the past couple months.  (By the way, much better idea to write ideas down somewhere rather than trusting my old lady brain!)

Either way...this was the finished product.  I love it!

After I finished doing all the writing, I held my breath in fear and lightly hairsprayed over the entire top.  Ever so gently I touched and made sure nothing would come off unless scraped or rubbed with a little elbow grease.  In luck.  Thank goodness.

I was so grateful to do this board because I learned an effective and useful way to preserve chalkboard art...#hairspray.  Gotta love me some hairspray!

Was so thankful to create that one for my friend's daughter but.......

then there was one more.  Much more intimidating.

It was actually almost double in size and I was putting it off til last because well, truth be told, I was terrified of messing up my friend's board.  She had given me the quote she had seen and thought perfect for the occasion...highschool graduation.

Honestly, once I rewrote the quote on a piece of paper and organized how I would "attack" it on the board, I was overly excited to create.  Within the first two lines, I suddenly realized the size actually felt more like writing on my easel at school.  With that I lost all fear and just went for it.  

I loved the other ones, but this one has my heart.  Maybe it is because of how intimidated I was by it at first but oh. my. goodness.  #favorite

And then there was this...

I felt like I needed a change.  I will say the look on the left is definitely the I-did-nothing-with-my-hair-because-I'm-going-to-get-it-done-anyway look.  No judgement.  But lordie was it long!  My stylist almost wouldn't cut it but I told her I had a really fun year of trying all sorts of styles and needed a change.  Chop it all off.  And so she did.  Thankful.  And Light.  Yes.  

#hairalwaysgrowsback

Changes.....Summer projects...

We are relatively new to our house and love the backyard and outdoor area A LOT.  However, since winter consumed most of our months here, patio furniture has taken a back seat to many of the indoor projects and updating.  

And then this showed up one day from my mom.

She knew it wasn't "my style" but was determined that we have something out there to sit on.  My daughter was told, "Mom's crafty enough.  She could do something with this."  Hmmm...

So we did.

Used 11 cans a lot of Rust-oleum Universal paint and primer and covered two sets of tables and chairs.  The perfectionistic side of me wanted to make sure every square inch was covered.  (That would explain the second trip back to Home Depot for more paint.)  I was limited on the number of dry days needed for painting and then drying so I completed this task in one morning/early afternoon.   I have used Rust-oleum for numerous projects but never on wrought iron.  I was very pleased with it's coverage and color.

Still searching for the perfect cushions and umbrellas to compliment it all and fit "our style" but liking it so far.  Hard to tell from the pictures but it's a dark brown/bronze type color which changes with the level of sun and it's intensity.   Keeps it interesting I suppose.

Just in time for some July celebrations!

Summer Projects #2 and #3...Surgery and Chalkboards

Checking off two more to-do projects on my summer list.  Totally not school related but both totally school related.  Let me explain. 

Anyone who reads this blog (or lack thereof) and/or has missed me at school this past year...it's mostly been for these two.

We had a B.A.D. year of illnesses raging through our house.  I when I say bad...I mean...there were months that I wondered if I was even at school.  (Add in the countless amounts of meetings, IEPs, and trainings and you've got one missing teacher most of the year!)    :(

Summer project #2...get those tonsils and adenoids out.  Tubes in.

Check!

Hopefully next year this sweet girl will get to be at school for all the fun days like holiday parties and such.  #brokemyheart

Three things...
1.  The doctors and nurses had fun dressing up Rocket for the surgery.  So cute!
2.  This adorable boy popped right up after his nap and carried on as usual.  Help me!
3.  That darling girl was in great spirits and smiling at Grandpa's jokes before even discharged.  Love!

So while this surgery is not official school business, I am hopeful that it will help us all to be at school more this coming year.  Maybe even perfect attendance!!!  #agirlcandream

Summer project #3...create more chalkboard art.

(Almost) Check!

It all started with this...

A friend had asked me to make a birthday board for her daughter.  I had never created one before and assumed she wanted me to make it on the computer.  When she delivered the real board and markers, obviously I figured it out.  (duh.)  What I didn't imagine was how much I would enjoy doing it!!

The obsession then began...

for friends and coworkers...

for family...

and for parent helper gifts...

(That's the school related part.  It's a stretch.)

Here is my most recent one.

I made the newest birthday board but then quickly realized maybe I needed one of these for my own house.  (The one on the right I will keep.  Thank you, Michaels.  Still thinking of the perfect message to put on it.)

I can't fully check off my summer project #3 yet because I still have two more boards I have been asked to make.  I'm quite excited (#totalnerd) because they are both for high school graduates/parties.  Something new!

It will be checked off soon though...parties are next weekend.  

Although I don't know what number it is on my summer to do list, I will be uploading and selling my fonts at some point.  Recently I updated the app and lost everything.  43 fonts gone.  Seriously...G.O.N.E.  

(Could you hear the crying from your house?!?!)  It was all shades of sad around here.  

Luckily, the glitch was fixed and we were back in business.  Now my number rocks around 50!!  

(Be still my nerdy font-lovin heart!)

These two even wanted to do some "letter making."  ;)

Honestly, what a FANTASTIC idea for preschoolers and kinders learning letters and formation!!  

A new station, perhaps?  

If I taught littler ones...

And if I released control of my font app to little ones...

Which I'm not there yet.

Happy Saturday!

Summer School Project #1...Listening Station Revamp

I'm stealing a few minutes (hopefully) during this nap time to catch up with my old friend, this blog.  It is officially summer in this neck of the woods and I can truly say...

Thank.  Goodness.

I absolutely loved my class.  Love what I do. Love who I work with.  But this year brought some exceptional challenges my way that had me practicing my ability to balance it all....

I'm not sure I always did but I tried my best.

So now it's time for the 3 Rs.

Relax.  Rejuvenate.  Recharge.

I packed up my room yesterday and with it all the things I want to improve on for next year.  These last few days I've had two important things on my mind...

1.  My kids.  Love this unstructured, unscheduled, uninterrupted time with them.

2.  My summer bucket list (projects to do list...really.)

First up on my list is to revamp my listening station.  

I've tried and tried and tried.  Retaught.  Retried.  Re-explained.  Restickered.  Redone.  And retried.  

And yet, I still, after all these years cannot get that darn station to work for me.  

Problem #1

They put headphones and suddenly think no one can hear them.  Hence the reason talking (er...yelling) ensues amongst them.  Inevitably one "listener" is always trying to tell the other to turn the page or pointing out the funny parts to the other listener.  Listener #2 decides to engage back and suddenly the "listening station" sounds like a party on the carpet. 

While the human being in me watching the interaction with this finds it amusing, the teacher trying to run a guided reading group does not.

Solution #1

Get rid of sharing the listening station.

Problem #2

The cd is in wrong or isn't working.

Kids nowadays (and first graders) don't seem to have much experience with cds so I can't blame them for not knowing.  This is the reason for the modeling, stickering, teaching, and reteaching.  All a fail.  (#trueteacherproblems)  Regardless, much of my "guided reading time" is spent figuring out the cds, switches, knobs, and volume errors.

Solution #2

Get rid of cds.

Problem #3

One story only lasts about 4-6 minutes depending on the text.  By the time the kiddos get the next story out and figure out that crazy cd again (hopefully without clicking any other switches), time is up and they are moving to the next station.  What a bust.

Solution #3

Put all stories to be read on a device that can be easily found and clicked to start.

How do I make this happen??

About a month ago, I was teaching and having these struggles.  I had been racking my brain as to how to solve these issues when it finally hit me...

Why not put all my listening station stories on an ipad and turn that into the new and improved station??

Great solution!

Another problem...

I need my ipad for assessing students and using the music as a transition cue while working with groups. 

Another fail.

Until I had one more solution...

Create ipod/iphone stations for individual listeners.  Place all my stories on playlists with the covers as part of the titles making them easier to identify.  Students can listen to stories without the hassle of cds and buttons and volume knobs.  Genius.  

As I did a little research following what I thought was an amazing idea, I found that many other teachers had thought of the same idea.  #greatminds

So I'm using them as a great resource of information as I begin this new project.

Now that I have figured out how to solve this problem...

 I'm on to part two of this solution...finding ipods/old iphones to be donated to our class.  

Fingers crossed this will be crossed off the bucket list (project list) soon...or at least before school starts.

Happy summer!