C MAJOR SCALE - FREE PRINTABLE

CLICK HERE FOR FREE PDF OF C MAJOR SCALE AND FINGERING CHART!

FREE PDF - HOW TO DRAW THE TREBLE CLEF AND BASS CLEF

Click here to get my free "How to Draw Treble and Bass Clef" PDF!

What a Wonderful World - Childhood Misconceptions and Choreography Video Lesson

You know those misconceptions you have as a child? Maybe you thought you knew the lyrics to a song, only to realize years (or decades) later that you were completely wrong? As a child, I had a couple misconceptions that keep coming back to me. One was about the Bay of Pigs. For some reason, I heard about that moment in history more often than is probably normal. However, whenever I heard someone refer to the "Bay of Pigs," I thought they were talking about when Jesus cast the demons into the pigs, and they dove into the sea and died. So for years, that was the Bay of Pigs for me. I think I was in college when I realized my misunderstanding.

My other misconception that I know of is in the song "What a Wonderful World." I loved this song so much as a child! Louis Armstrong was one of my musical heroes with his scratchy yet velvety voice and his ability to show so much feeling on his trumpet. I loved this song because it painted such vivid pictures. 

I especially liked the second verse where I thought it said: 

          I see skies of blue, 

          And clouds of white, 

          The bright blessed day, 

          The dogs say goodnight,

          And I think to myself, 

          "What a Wonderful World."

Since realizing my mistake (in my 30s!!!), I have still loved the song, even without the enchanting picture of dogs howling at the moon to say goodnight to the world. I guess that wouldn't be particularly sacred, would it? :)

I have wanted to share my love for this song with my kids, so what better way to do it than by choreographing a simple dance to go along with it?

I'm so excited about this new resource. I know that, in the past, I've been bogged down by making choreography in the middle of coordinating a program. OR I have a random substitute who has no music experience and I don't have a million years to make something the kids will enjoy and still get a deep, musical experience.

I have created this choreography video lesson that will keep your students engaged! All you have to do is print a couple pages, provide the recording of “What a Wonderful World” and push play! It would be great for a Black History Month celebration, too!

CLICK HERE FOR THE VIDEO PREVIEW!

CLICK HERE TO GO STRAIGHT TO THIS GREAT RESOURCE!

Included in this resource are:
1. Instruction page that tells you (or your sub) exactly what to do in the lesson (PDF),
2. The choreography with lyrics (PDF),
3. A glossary of the moves described in detail (PDF),
4. A 14+ minute video that you play for your students. It goes through each move separately and gives time to practice each move. I also provide a private youtube link in case you would rather give that to your sub.
5. A 2+ minute video in which I speak the words in rhythm to rehearse the continuity of moves for the entire song.

Use these moves for assemblies, celebrations and programs, All the moves are small and simple, and they use mainly hand motions, so you can use these moves on the risers. These moves are great for Pre-K up to 5th grade, depending on your students. Once you have this resource, you can use it for your sub! 

Please note: there is no music included due to copyright laws. In the video, I have spoken the lyrics in rhythm while doing the moves. I used my iPhone to create the videos, so the videos are a little dark, but you can clearly see everything. See preview for sample before purchasing. The videos are each a QuickTime Movie (.MOV) file saved in HD 720p.

I recommend using recordings from your textbook, Amazon.com or your music library.

Watch the preview video here:

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CLICK HERE FOR MY MOST POPULAR VIDEO: "HOW TO MAKE THE BEST MUSIC SUB TUB"

Links to some of my most loved games and activities:

Easy Choreography for 3 Patriotic Songs
Easy Christmas Choreography Videos
Music Staff Karate for PowerPoint
Rhythm Resource Mega-Bundle
Instrument Zoom Game for PowerPoint
Rhythm Ice Cream Truck – Game for Smart Board
Music Detective Bundle for Smart Board (also available in PPT)

Music Staff Karate - Treble Clef Edition

CLICK HERE FOR MY YOUTUBE VIDEO ABOUT MUSIC STAFF KARATE!

“MUSIC STAFF KARATE” is a fun, easy-to-use game that helps students identify the letter names of the pitches on the music staff. Students use their knowledge of line notes, space notes, and the two notes above and 2 notes below the staff to pass each level. There are 9 belts in total. After each level, students who pass the level can sign their name on the included "achiever" printables. 

CLICK HERE TO GO TO THIS GREAT RESOURCE ON TPT!

OBJECTIVE: 

Identify the pitch names before the video stops. Each video gives students 20-30 seconds (depending on the level) to think through the pitch names. After the alloted time, they have five seconds to choose or write their answer. Each belt level has a different point goal. After testing each pitch, there is a bonus question (not a video). The bonus question will help students achieve the point goal. If they do not reach the goal, the game shows you where to click to replay the level (keep the points already earned). Play this game in Slide Show mode.


This is a team game. 

***PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A RECENT VERSION OF POWERPOINT AND QUICKTIME before you download this product as it will not work right without it. QuickTime offers a free download.*** 

I would highly recommend this game for a sub! This file is just under half a gig in size, in case you need to know how large it is.


Included in this .zip folder: 
1. Three game levels.
2. A printable PDF with the names of each pitch.
3. Signature pages - students sign the pages when they pass a level


Any questions? Please contact me! I strive to make teachers’ lives easier!

Follow me! 

Click here for Meg’s Music Room TpT Store
Click here to find me on Facebook

CLICK HERE FOR MY MOST POPULAR VIDEO: "HOW TO MAKE THE BEST MUSIC SUB TUB"

Links to some of my most loved games and activities:

Easy Choreography for 3 Patriotic Songs

Easy Christmas Choreography Videos

Music Staff Karate for PowerPoint

Rhythm Resource Mega-Bundle

Instrument Zoom Game for PowerPoint

Rhythm Ice Cream Truck – Game for Smart Board

Music Detective Bundle for Smart Board (also available in PPT)

SHIPLAP CABINET REDO - EASY PROJECT FOR $10!

Cabinet Redo for $10! I just used poster board, hot glue, contact paper and markers!

              BEFORE                                                             AFTER

 

It all started when I found this poster board. I love shiplap, so when I saw it at Hobby Lobby, I bought the three sheets they had left.

When I put them side-by-side, they didn't look at all like a wall of shiplap; they looked like three posterboards next to each other. So I began experimenting.

After *HOURS* of contemplation, I realized if I cut them into strips, I could lay them on my cabinet like you do for flooring. I outlined the edges of each strip to add to the distressed look. I began hot-gluing strips on the cabinet, using the top strip from each poster for the first row, second strip from each poster for the second row, etc. so they would be the same width. 

See below for a quick progression. 
Click here to watch the video on YouTube.

Follow me! 

Click here for Meg’s Music Room TpT Store
Click here to find me on Facebook

CLICK HERE FOR MY MOST POPULAR VIDEO: "HOW TO MAKE THE BEST MUSIC SUB TUB"

Links to some of my most loved games and activities:

Easy Choreography for 3 Patriotic Songs

Easy Christmas Choreography Videos

Music Staff Karate for PowerPoint

Rhythm Resource Mega-Bundle

Instrument Zoom Game for PowerPoint

Rhythm Ice Cream Truck – Game for Smart Board

Music Detective Bundle for Smart Board (also available in PPT)

Easiest K-2 Music Lesson Ever - "Peter and the Wolf" - Music Teachers and Subs - FOR USE WITH SMART BOARDS

Hi, Elementary Music Teachers! 
I have created the easiest, no-prep lesson to identify the instruments from "Peter and the Wolf" by sight and by name. This is perfect for a sub plan, but you can also use it in your classroom. A sub can successfully complete this lesson with NO MUSIC EXPERIENCE!

All you or your sub has to do is: 
     1. Show the video to your class (click here for video), 
     2. Purchase the Smart Board Lesson (click here for game download) and
     3. You're ready!



This is best used as a review to "Peter and the Wolf." Make sure you have the program "Smart Notebook" before you purchase this game.

Thanks! Hope this helps!

This Is My School

This is my school:

Teachers walk down the halls with hearts full of love. They greet each other. They laugh and cry together. They are all working toward a common goal: teaching our beloved kids.

We teach them every day with passion, patience, kindness, gentleness… giving a little tough love when needed. But it’s always love. We encourage them to aim higher and then give them the tools to help them reach new heights. We measure success based on individual victories. Tied shoes, singing in the microphone, a high score on a quiz.

We all know we are meant to be here in this moment.

We are dedicated, hard-working advocates for our kids. And that’s what they are – OUR KIDS.

Some days are tough. We go through storms. We suffer loss. Our scores aren’t always what we hope for. But here’s the thing… I don’t want to be anywhere else. I don’t just give 8-hour days to a job. I have dedicated my life to MY KIDS. Not just to teach them, but to show them love every day.

And the great thing is…everyone in my school feels the exact same way.

This is my school.

***FLASHBACK TIME!!! - FAVORITE SOUNDTRACKS FROM CHILDHOOD***

A familiar soundtrack can transport us to another time with a single note. You know...that soundtrack you can sing after not thinking about it for 20 years? 

The soundtrack that transports me the quickest is "Lion King." It was my first soundtrack. With one note, I'm back in my living room, jumping on the couch cushions with pure joy, singing at the top of my lungs with my brother. What soundtracks bring you back? I'd love to hear!

Here are some of my other favorites (you can click the pic if you want to buy it on Amazon):

The Mask of Zorro - the brass and percussion are my favorite in this. You can hear the fight scenes and fancy footwork. This is a great soundtrack for riding in the car. I was so sad when composer James Horner died in 2016. This soundtrack was my go-to soundtrack through my college years.

Of course, Lion King needs to be on the list. Every time I hear "I'm Gonna Be a Mighty King," I think of my brother. :)

Remember "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon?" The special effects would probably seem rudimentary now, but when it came out, it was monumental. I love how the music takes me to another world with its Asian influences in instrumentation and beautiful intervals. 

MISSION; IMPOSSIBLE! I looooooove the 5/4 theme. Great for exercising, driving, mowing the lawn... Anything. I could listen to it for hours.

"Anastasia" was an overlooked beauty of a soundtrack. The Russian flavor made the orchestration unique from the more popular Disney films in the 90's and early 2000's. 

This is probably my favorite soundtrack of all time. I had never heard anyone use the stuttered editing like they did on Madonna's theme. It was mind-blowing! I could relive each scene of the movie as I listened. This movie was released while I was in college, when I was working so hard to become a professional trumpet player. When I heard the "Welcome to Cuba" solo (do yourself a favor...click here to listen), I was so inspired. I showed it to my brother, now a professional trumpet player himself, he loved it just as much as I did. If my soundtrack would have been vinyl, I would have worn a hole in it! I just listened to it again, and I'm thinking about trying to find my CD right now!

I'd really love to hear from you! It's so fun to flashback to favorites from "back in the day." Comment below or find me on social media!

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Or email me at megsmusicroom@gmail.com!

INSTRUMENT ZOOM - Orchestra Game for PowerPoint

CLICK HERE TO SEE MY YOUTUBE VIDEO ABOUT INSTRUMENT ZOOM!

I am so excited to show you my new game "Instrument Zoom," available for beginners and for more advanced musicians. My kids love this game so much! I use it at the end of my instruments of the orchestra unit and in my enrichment groups. WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE FOR A SPED-UP SAMPLE OF THE GAME!

OBJECTIVE: Identify the instrument before the video stops. Each video shows an instrument zoomed in really close. Every 10 seconds, the camera zooms out a little until the whole instrument is shown. Every time the camera zooms out, the point value decreases. At the end of each video, the points go to zero and the name of the instrument is revealed. On the advanced version, the first 2-3 views of each instrument are purposefully pixelated to increase the mystery for the students. 

I have created two versions so you can play this with all your kids. The "beginner version" is best for late 1st grade and through 2nd grade. The "advanced version" is great for 3rd grade and above. 

Click here to purchase INSTRUMENT ZOOM - ADVANCED VERSION
Click here to purchase INSTRUMENT ZOOM - BEGINNER VERSION

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Or email me at megsmusicroom@gmail.com!

Click the pics below for some great soundtracks!
 

Print-and-Go Resources for Elementary Music Teachers

Aren't printable resources the best?? You just print, make the copies you need, and voilà! It's ready to go! 

I just made a TpT bundle of eleven of my most useful printable resources. $19 value for $8 if you buy the bundle! Click here to go straight to the bundle!  Click here to pin it!

I know what you're thinking..."Great. Another blog just trying to get me to buy more stuff." But my goal with all these items is to alleviate stress and give you more time doing real-life activities - not being stuck creating a quiz when I've already done the work. Read the descriptions below and see if you can use any of the resources included. They really could make a difference in your life!








This is my very favorite music teacher resource that I have made. Since 2005, I've been doing multiple musicals and events during the school year. I started saving my crazy to-do lists scribbled on the back of lesson plans and shopping lists and organized it into a complete to-do list for creating a musical. I start with choosing a program 3-4 months before the show and go all the way to the performance. Every music teacher needs this. Since I started using this resource, I have stopped panicking in the weeks leading up to the show. I now remember to do everything and am often done with most of my list weeks ahead of schedule. This is truly a life-saver. Click here for this resource.

The dynamics and tempo worksheets assess if your students have mastered the standard terms and symbols. Super easy to print and go! Click here for this resource.

The instrument identification assessment tests your students' ability to identify standard orchestra instruments by sight and name. Play an excerpt of your own and make it a listening test! Click here for this resource.

 

The kindergarten assessments and grade book will make your portfolio impressive for your principal and make grades easy. This includes a description of each assessment you will need to complete for kindergarten music and any printables you need to help with assessment. Click here for this resource.

 

This music lesson plan template is an editable Word document useful for all levels of music teachers. Just plug in your information and you're ready to go! Click here for this resource.

This checklist is one of my favorite/useful tools. I use it every year. Just print it out at the beginning of the year and check off the concepts as you teach them for everyone K-4. Click here for this resource.

Orchestra Charades is a fun game to play as a reward, after the end of the orchestra unit, or with a sub in a pinch. Just print out the cards, cut them, and you're ready to play! Click here for this resource.

These rhythm worksheets are ready to go! Just print and assess how well your students know the names of the notes, what they look like, and how many beats they get. Click here for this resource.

 The treble clef note name test assesses your students' abilities to name the line and space notes on the staff. There are no ledger lines in this assessment. Easy to print and go! Click here for this resource.

This singing rubric makes grading an audition or assessment a piece of cake! I use this for every grade. I can now see the strengths of individual students and give them solos that will spotlight them at their best. Click here for this resource.

Thanks for browsing my resources. I hope this provides you with some help in your classroom!

:) Meg

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