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If you’re anything like me, you love telling people about the life of a music teacher. You love sharing all of the fun stories from your classroom and can’t stop thinking about the next exciting lesson you want to teach.
But let’s talk about all of the signs that really show you work in elementary music. 1. You have at least one instrument in your car at all times.
This one dawned on me very recently. My school hosted a Panther Parade, where our families drove through our parking lot to say hi to the teachers and pick up school supplies.
As I pulled into my parking spot, I realized I had a hand drum with me! I’m not sure how long it was in my car, but it really made the parade festive and exciting. 2. The Target Dollar Spot is your favorite place to find manipulatives.
My favorite part of going to Target is the heavenly Dollar Spot right at the front. There are so many things in there for teachers of all content areas to utilize!
My personal favorites have been the tiny bags of erasers. I use them to help students create rhythms with fun manipulatives. Next time you’re at Target, make sure you check it out and let your imagination run wild! 3. The songs stuck in your head aren't from the Top 40 stations.
I think we’ve all been there. A song is stuck in your head that just WON’T LEAVE! For most people, that song is probably from a popular artist that has been overplayed on the radio for days on end.
For us, as music teachers, that song is typically one of the ones we’ve been singing in class recently. It may be a folk song or a nursery rhyme or basically anything you’ve been using with your students. 4. You think in solfege.
Expanding on point number 3, sometimes the song stuck in your head isn’t even in words. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been going about my day and suddenly find “sol-mi-mi” going through my head. It makes for some interesting afternoons, to say the least!
5. Your knowledge of dates are based upon major events.
Sometimes our schedules get so hectic it’s hard to tell when one day ends and another begins. If someone asks you what day it is, you may have to stop and think about it in terms of upcoming events, like a concert.
“Well, let’s see… I had Smith’s class today, so it’s Wednesday, and the concert is 14 days away, which means today is….” Looking at a planner or Google Calendar might be easier, but sometimes we just don’t have time for that! 6. You tend to sing everything you do. Everything.
My husband has just learned to zone me out when I start singing around the house.
I tend to sing-narrate what I’m doing. Dishes? Sing about it! Switching loads of laundry? You bet I’m singing about it. Cooking dinner? You betcha! 7. You tend to drift towards the children's section of book stores.
There are so many great books to use in the music room! (If you’re looking for recommendations, we have plenty of posts about great books for your classes.)
Even if a story doesn’t have a direct tie to music, you can often find themes within a book to use as ostinato patterns or even create short melodies. Walking amongst the children’s books sparks your creativity like nothing else! 8. You hear ostinato patterns when you're out in the world.
Have you ever been walking in the park and heard a really neat rhythm from a woodpecker? Rhythms are all around us, and you’ve likely heard them yourself!
One of the surest signs that you’re a music teacher is when you find yourself tapping those rhythms later in the day. It’s one of the most fun parts of having such a creative mind.
Are there any other signs you’d include? What else do you do that people would consider essential for a music teacher? We have such a unique career that we sometimes forget about the little details that make us stand out from others.
Let us know what you’d add in the comments down below!
This article was submitted by Rachel Ammons, contributing author for ThatMusicTeacher.com. Interested in becoming a contributing author? Email resume and writing sample to bryson@thatmusicteacher.com.
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As a specialist and quite possibly the only music and/or content area teacher in your school building, collaboration with other teachers is important. This helps you build relationships with other teachers, which is fantastic, because being a specialist can be isolating at times.
My students love to make connections to what we are learning in music class and their general classroom studies! There are many ways you can incorporate other subjects into your general music class! Schedule an art show at the same time as a performance.
Students love to show off their work, and this gives both you and the art department visibility in the school community. Let the art teacher know what the theme is for your performance if there is one, so that the art projects can align with that theme if possible.
Schedule a day so that the lesson requires students to respond to music with art and/or poetry.
Many students love to draw and write, and giving them space to do that allows them to shine! When doing this, I make a playlist of instrumental music that I can turn on and let play for the entire class.
I give each student paper and as many utensils as possible, except for scissors (because trying to monitor scissor use with young students can get hectic). I tell students to draw or write about how the music makes them feel or what they picture when they hear the music. After collecting what has been done, I like to pick some samples to display in the hallway. Kids love to see their hard work being shown off! Reading books with a music theme is a great way to incorporate language arts in the music classroom!
My kindergarten through third grade classes love to be read to. While reading, I stop to ask simple comprehension questions to make sure the class is following along with the story.
When we are finished reading, I pick a few students to summarize before opening up the floor for any student to tell me what he or she liked or disliked, as well as ask questions or share a favorite part of the story. Some of my favorite books to read to classes are Giraffes Can’t Dance by Giles Andreae and Zin! Zin! Zin! A Violin by Lloyd Moss. Want to know more about using books in your lessons? Click here to read some related blog posts! You can also incorporate social studies and history!
At the beginning of the year, I meet with the general classroom teachers and get a roadmap of what students will be learning in social studies and history for the year.
Then, I try to design lessons around those units. One way to do this is to teach students about instruments used in the cultures they are studying; this can also incorporate non-Western music. Another way to do this is to teach songs about concepts being learned. I love to teach songs about the 50 United States and the branches of the United States government! Finally, when teaching history, try to line up the historical period students are learning about with their classroom teacher with a musical period, composer, or piece of music. Teaching a science of sound unit is always a huge hit with students!
I like to start with a video about how each instrument of the orchestra works, to give each child an opportunity to see and learn how different musical instruments work.
I ask students to hypothesize about why each instrument works the way it does; if there are vibrations, does air have to move through the instrument, how each instrument makes higher or lower pitches. After this, I give students the opportunity to make their own musical instruments at a variety of stations. Materials provided include, but are not limited to, the following: cardboard, rubber bands, straws, balloons, toilet paper rolls, beans, rice, tin cans, paper plates, string, and yarn.
Music can be found in every discipline children encounter in school. These lessons are a wonderful way to demonstrate that and to give students a chance to have fun while still learning!
How do you incorporate other subjects in your music class? What do you do to collaborate with other teachers in your building? Let us know in the comments!
This article was submitted by Caitlin Parks, contributing author for ThatMusicTeacher.com. Interested in becoming a contributing author? Email resume and writing sample to bryson@thatmusicteacher.com.
As music teachers, we are responsible for seeing the entire student population every week. Depending on your school size, that can be 500 (or more) names! It can be difficult to learn so many names quickly, especially when you’re new to the building. I started my current position last school year, after moving from a small school with fewer than 100 students in K-6 to a larger school with around 500 students. It took me what seemed like forever to learn each student’s name. That experience led me to writing out some tips for teachers who need help learning names, and I hope you find them helpful! 1. Make a seating chartPrior to students coming in on the first day of music class, I like to make a seating chart for every class. There are a few ways you can go about this. I prefer to arrange my K-5 students in a semicircle, and my 6-8 students in rows. All grades sit alphabetically by last name in my classroom, but you can set students up however works best for you! Other ways I have arranged students include alphabetically by first name, by line order, or by student number, depending on what each homeroom teacher uses in his or her classroom. I utilize my first seating charts for the first few weeks of school, until I learn student names and/or discover what seating arrangements work best for each class. Don’t be afraid to change your seating chart if what you have currently is not working for a class! 2. Greet students at the door using their namesWhen students enter my classroom, I like to greet each child using his or her name, followed by asking how he or she is doing, giving a compliment, or asking about how an event went (sporting event, recital, play, or another type of event). Not only does this allow me to use the repetition of the names to learn names quickly, but it also allows me to build relationships with each student by taking a genuine interest in their lives outside of school. 3. Use photographsMy school’s online gradebook includes student photographs in each child’s data section, which also includes parent contact information, his or her birthday, grades, and attendance information. I try to take five to ten minutes each day at the beginning of the school year to focus on a grade level or particular class, looking at each picture and name. I find that saying each name out loud as I do this allows for more repetition and helps me to learn each name faster. As a bonus, the online gradebook helps me to associate students with family members, be it a parent on staff at the school, or siblings and cousins that attend. Making these connections helps me to learn who each child is sooner rather than later. 4. Write out students’ preferred names and pronunciations on your roster and seating chart. Ask each student what his or her preferred name is (nickname, middle name, etc.) and how that name is pronounced. Make sure you ask about not only their first name, but their last name as well! Write both the preferred name and pronunciation in your roster and seating chart as a reminder to yourself. Make a copy of these items to put these pronunciations and preferred names in your substitute binder, folder, or tub, along with the other important class information. Remember that learning names takes time! Ask your students for patience as you learn their names, and do the best you can to learn their names. Give yourself grace during this time, and know that you’re going to do a great job!
This article was submitted by Caitlin Parks, contributing author for ThatMusicTeacher.com. Interested in becoming a contributing author? Email resume and writing sample to bryson@thatmusicteacher.com. How is it already August? If you’re anything like me, time seemed to slip away this summer. Luckily, I’ve been keeping up with some of my favorite music blogs in order to get my mind ready for the start of school. Many of these accounts gave me great ideas during my first year of teaching. This list contains several different bloggers and educators who have great ideas for back to school! 1. Yellow Brick RoadJennifer is a music-teacher-turned-business-woman who has dedicated herself to helping music teachers find resources and create curriculum that fits their unique situation. This is a blog that I return to regularly when trying to find engaging lessons for my students. One lesson that became a favorite for my students was her lesson on Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring. 2. Organized ChaosElizabeth is an elementary music teacher, as well as a self-proclaimed “planner addict,” who offers resources for other music teachers. One of my favorite resources from her is her “Plan My Whole Life” music teacher planners that are available on her Teachers Pay Teachers (TPT) store. I also found her blog incredibly helpful when I was planning how to introduce ukuleles to my students. 3. Beth's NotesThis was another go-to blog for me when I was first starting out. She doesn’t exactly write blog posts, but her site has a ton of resources for how to teach many different musical concepts. Her song list is divided up into many different categories, so you can find a song for anything you’re trying to teach! 4. Mr. S's Orff Music RoomWhile Matthew may not have a dedicated blog, he spends much of his time on Instagram promoting ideas for how to incorporate Orff lessons into your classroom. His website also includes articles he has written and any workshops he may be offering. If you’re not already following him, make sure you do so because his content is incredibly valuable! 5. AnacrusicAnne Mileski spends much of her time helping elementary music teachers be mindful in their planning. In my first year of teaching, I was extremely overwhelmed and never felt like I had a solid plan. Following her social media accounts and attending some of her free webinars helped give me an idea of how to maximize my efficiency when it came to planning my lessons and curriculum. 6. F. Willis MusicFranklin Willis has quickly become one of my favorite teachers to follow. His work includes providing instructional support for the music teachers in Nashville. He is passionate about ensuring all students have access to a quality music education. His new book, Edward’s Rhythm Sticks, was just published on August 1, 2020. One of the most valuable PD opportunities I took part in this summer was his webinar on including Hip Hop in the Elementary Music Classroom. 7. Mrs. Miracle's Music RoomAileen’s blog is all about sharing what has worked in her own classroom with her students. She is dedicated to sharing her resources with other educators. Along with sharing lesson and curriculum resources, she also provides classroom decor that can brighten your classroom and help inspire your students. 8. Music with Mrs. DuncCharissa is someone I love following on Instagram! She often shares books that would be fun to share with our elementary music classrooms. She also does workshops centering around Orff teaching, including incorporating Orff into distance lessons! Some of my favorite posts from her this summer have also included her recommendations for books that teachers should read. I hope you find value in these accounts. All of them have had an impact on my teaching in some way or another. The elementary music community is full of wonderful educators who dedicate themselves to helping other teachers, and there is so much to learn around every corner.
We are lucky to be in a career that allows and encourages us to lean on each other for support! That being said, let us know your favorite blogs/accounts in the comments below! This article was submitted by Rachel Ammons, contributing author for ThatMusicTeacher.com. Interested in becoming a contributing author? Email resume and writing sample to bryson@thatmusicteacher.com.
I can’t believe it’s July already! While you’re taking time this summer to relax and get your curriculum ready, you should also take some time to think about things you may need to purchase for your classroom.
Here are some of my personal favorite purchases I’ve made for my room: 1. Sit Spots 
These have been a lifesaver for me! During my first week of school, I would bring kids into the room and tell them to form a circle. It was a struggle to say the least. I found these on Amazon, and they have been amazing!
My room is fully carpeted, so there was a little bit of concern about the Velcro affecting the carpet. In my experience, even after students fidgeting with and pulling the circles up, there was no damage to the carpet! My students now know to come in and find a dot so we can start class right away. As an added bonus, these dots are perfect for spacing students out in your classroom to make sure they are socially distanced! 2. Teachers Pay Teachers Resources
If you haven’t explored Teachers Pay Teachers (TPT), do yourself a favor and check it out! There were so many times during my first year of teaching where I had an idea of what I wanted to do, but I wasn’t sure how to go about doing it.
TPT has some fantastic lesson plans, including project ideas for upper elementary. They also have a lot of free resources! (Also, That Music Teacher has a TPT store! Check it out here.) 3. Recorders & Recorder Belts
My school has always done Recorder Karate, and I have to say - it’s been a lot of fun! I love seeing my kids get motivated to learn the music and work hard toward earning that next belt. The great thing about it is that the supplies are relatively inexpensive!
These are the recorders I purchased for my students. We have a class set, plus we buy new ones for students in third grade. 4. Classroom Set of Whiteboards 
I often try to incorporate writing practice into my lessons, so having a set of whiteboards for each student makes planning so much easier! I use them to practice writing rhythms, drawing what the music makes them imagine, and all sorts of other things.
Just make sure that you also buy a set (or two) of markers to go along with them. (I quickly regretted not checking to make sure my markers worked at the beginning of the year…) 5. Puppets! 
Puppets bring another level of immersion into the music classroom. For example, the puppet at the link provided would help bring the Freddie the Frog books to life for your students.
There are so many different puppets out there and an endless amount of lesson ideas to go with them. My personal favorite is to use a bumblebee puppet to show the steady beat during “Bee Bee Bumblebee.”
There are so many valuable resources out there for elementary music teachers, and it can feel overwhelming knowing what to get for your classroom. I hope this list helped you have an idea of where to start!
What are you most excited about purchasing for your room? Let us know! This post may contain affiliate links. I will receive a small commission on any purchases through these links, but there is no cost passed on to you! Affiliate links help keep the lights on! This article was submitted by Rachel Ammons, contributing author for ThatMusicTeacher.com. Interested in becoming a contributing author? Email resume and writing sample to bryson@thatmusicteacher.com. 
We all know students get anxious about the first day of school, but so do teachers! I have struggled with anxiety and jitters leading up to the first day of school every year I have taught.
Along the way, I’ve come up with the following tips that help me combat first day jitters, and I hope they help you as well! 1. Listen to your favorite “Pump Up” or “Feel Good” Playlist.
Listen to your favorite playlist while you’re getting ready for the day, on your commute to school, and/or during your morning prep time once you get to school.
I like to have a little dance party while getting ready for the day, while listening to my favorite playlists. The fun music combined with the endorphins from the dancing help me to relax and feel great about the school day that is to come. 2. Get up at least 30 minutes earlier than you think you should.
I find that getting up earlier gives me more time to get ready for the day without feeling rushed. I can make myself a nice breakfast, drink my first cup of coffee before leaving for school, and have plenty of time once I get to school to make sure my materials and plans are ready to go.
If I get everything done and still have plenty of time before my first class of the day, I like to make myself a cup of tea, take a few laps around the classroom to double-check that I have everything ready, and do a few stretches while sitting at my desk to make sure I feel relaxed! 3. Wear something comfortable that makes you feel confident.
The first day of school is going to be a long day. Comfort and confidence are key when choosing your outfit for the day! I like to wear something that will allow me to move well throughout the day, because as a music teacher, I am constantly on the move during class, and while doing recess or lunch duty.
My go-to outfits include comfortable dress pants, ballet flats or Converse shoes, and a comfortable, flowy blouse that won’t cause me to get too hot during the day. Wear whatever helps you to feel your best! 4. Have a solid plan.
I find comfort in having plans for all of my classes that are thorough and well thought out. The first day of school can (and likely will be) chaotic, but having a plan can help! When things go off the rails, your plans give you stable ground to stand on, and an easy way to get back on track.
This includes having all of your materials prepped in advance, and setting up any stations you may need ahead of time. I find that this alleviates my anxiety between classes, and helps transitions go smoothly, no matter what happens throughout the day. 5. Smile!
Even though you may have butterflies in your stomach, putting on a smile when your students come in can help both them and you feel more at ease! Smiling shows your students a positive, welcoming environment for learning.
I find for me, personally, smiling helps the jitters and anxiety disappear; seeing my students smile as they walk into my classroom makes me excited to get to know them and puts me in a better mood!
You are going to do a great job on your first day of school! No matter what happens, know that you are making an impact on children’s lives, and teaching them all about the magic of music.
Give yourself a pat on the back once the day is over. You made it! BONUS TIP: Are you looking for a way to connect with other elementary music teachers, and share tips and advice about starting the school year on the right foot? Check out the General Music Mastermind on Facebook! This community is a wonderful way to meet other teachers and share thoughtful discussions about the profession. I can’t wait to see you there!
This article was submitted by Caitlin Parks, contributing author for ThatMusicTeacher.com. Interested in becoming a contributing author? Email resume and writing sample to bryson@thatmusicteacher.com.
“Summertime! And the living is easy!”
Those words from George Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess really sum up summer break for me. Summer is a time for teachers to recharge and spend time with family and friends they may not have seen during the school year. Barbecues, days at the zoo, traveling… But there’s always that little voice in the back of my mind saying “You should be getting ready…” That voice may be louder or quieter for you, but it’s right: We should remember that summer won’t last forever! Here are some things you can do to prepare for the upcoming school year. 1. Reflect on what worked this past year
Think back on the year you just had. Were there lessons that really worked? Work those into your plan! On the flip side, were there some lessons you don’t even want to think about ever again?
Maybe figure out a way to tweak those lessons to make them work! (Or just replace them altogether and never mention it again. No judgement here!) Reflecting on what worked and what didn’t will give you a good foundation for a new school year plan. 2. Obtain class lists once they become available
This will help you know who you will be working with! At my school, we have what we consider “revolving door” admission. Students come to my school because they need extra support for their learning differences, and sometimes those students don’t return the following year because they have the tools and strategies needed to thrive in their home district!
For me, the class lists are super important so I can figure out how much time I need to spend on reviewing topics at the beginning of the year. 3. Read, read, read!
Every teacher account I follow on social media has been posting about the different books they finally have time to read. There are so many good suggestions out there, covering all sorts of topics. If you’re anything like me, summer is the time to catch up on any reading you didn’t have time to do during the school year.
And this doesn’t just mean professional development reading, either. I also mean you should read for fun! Read what your students are interested in. Read what inspires you! If you feel inspired, imagine how your students will feel when you bring that inspiration to the classroom. 4. Engage in discussions with other music teachers
During the school year, it can feel overwhelming to try to reach out to other teachers, especially if they’re not in your district (or even your state!). Summer is the perfect time to join music teacher groups and start networking and gathering ideas.
Did you know there’s a group for That Music Teacher? There is! Join the General Music Mastermind group on Facebook! I have joined a handful of music teacher groups this summer, and I already feel so much more supported and energized for the upcoming school year! 5. Go through your inventory
Is there a part of your room that you look at and think “I need to organize that at some point,” but you never seem to have time? If your school allows it, see if you can go into your room and do some organizing!
Take note of things that need cleaned or repaired, get rid of things that you never use, and allow yourself to start the year out with a clean slate and a clear head. 6. If possible, participate in some professional development
Unfortunately for me, my professional development plans to obtain my Kodály Level 1 certification this summer were thwarted due to COVID-19. But, that doesn’t mean I can’t keep learning!
Many teachers and organizations offer free webinars during the summer for all varieties of teaching situations. Even with my unique school situation, I have been able to find so many incredibly valuable webinars to help me better support my students. 7. Self care!
All of these points mean nothing if you end up burning yourself out. Yes, it is important to keep up on your skills and have at least an outline of a plan by the time August comes around, but you can’t be a truly great teacher unless you take care of yourself.
Spend time with your family, read for pleasure, take up a hobby, do what makes you happy! School will be there when you’re ready to tackle it.
I hope these seven items help you feel a little more prepared to tackle the upcoming school year with joy and energy. Your students are definitely spending their time recharging and relaxing, and you deserve the same!
Psst... Did you know there’s also one more thing you can do over summer break? You can take part in General Music Jumpstart! GMJ is a 6-week online course for elementary music teachers who are tired of feeling overwhelmed and want to be able to focus on what really matters. This article was submitted by Rachel Ammons, contributing author for ThatMusicTeacher.com. Interested in becoming a contributing author? Email resume and writing sample to bryson@thatmusicteacher.com. 
Welcome to the world of elementary music! While this may not be what you originally envisioned when you first became a music major, I guarantee that this will be an exciting adventure in your career.
If you are a band, choir, or orchestra person who was blindsided by the prospect of teaching elementary music, fear not! I am going to break down some of the misconceptions you may have, or that other people have said to you once they found out you got an elementary position, and hopefully help put your mind at ease. 1. Elementary music teaching is a stepping stone into “real music teaching.”
Let’s talk about this one right away. Many people go into music education with the idea that they’ll be the lead band director or choir teacher of a large high school. They’ll go to competitions and win awards and be adored by the community.
There’s nothing wrong with that dream! But, keep in mind -- students who are successful at the high school level need to have a solid musical foundation. Where does that come from? The elementary music room. 2. You’ll be playing games and singing songs all day.
This one is partially true. Yes, singing songs and playing games is a huge part of the job (and a fun part!), but it’s not all you’ll be doing.
If your school expects performances/concerts, you’ll be busy doing the paperwork and preparations for those. If you’re expected to help out with plays or musicals, you’ll have after school rehearsals to attend. Elementary music can be tiring! Fun! But tiring. 3. It’s just chaos all the time!
To an untrained ear, the elementary music room may sound like nothing but chaos. But, my music teacher friend, you have the distinct privilege of being amongst that chaos and recognizing it for what it is - discovery!
So many activities we use in the music room are centered around allowing students to discover their own musical talents while playing around with the concepts we introduce to them. While several children are discovering at once… it can sound pretty chaotic! 4. Kids won’t be able to appreciate “real” music.
Many teachers get into the profession because of their passion and love for the art of music (rightfully so!). But, sometimes, that passion has a tunnel vision that only allows them to believe that music by well-known composers is “real music” or that it’s the only music worth knowing.
Music at the elementary level is all real music, and kids appreciate it in all forms! I’ve seen kids be completely moved by the Star-Spangled Banner and get up and dance to works of Beethoven or Mozart. Kids can, and do, appreciate music in all forms and levels of complexity. 5. It’s all recorders all the time.
This one always makes me laugh! Whenever I explain to new families coming to visit our school that recorders are part of the music curriculum, there’s always awkward glances between spouses or nervous giggling. I get it.
Recorders aren’t for everyone. But there’s more to elementary music than just playing recorder! It is one step in the overall curriculum, but is not the end-all-be-all of general music. In my classroom, we also play drums, ukuleles, sing, and dance, among many other activities that get students engaged in music. 6. You won’t have to do assessments in elementary music.
Although it’s true that you likely won’t necessarily be expected to give written tests, elementary music teachers are constantly assessing.
After all, how will you know your students are ready to learn syncopation if they haven’t grasped the concept of steady beat? 7. Elementary music is all about singing - no instruments!
I actually understand the thought behind this. I was a band person growing up, and my personal music experience in elementary school only involved singing and watching movies (not a great experience, but that’s a story for another time).
General music can be so much more than that! I’ve seen teachers bring in their primary instruments to introduce kids to band or orchestra instruments. There’s so many activities you could do to incorporate instruments, whether it’s your students playing or you playing for them. Your music room can be whatever you want it to be! 8. Everything is about the concert.
This is a concept that is prevalent in all of music education, so it is no surprise that many people think elementary music teachers spend all of their time preparing for concerts.
While that is a large part of the job, it should not be the end-all-be-all of the classroom experience. In my opinion, the concert should be an extension of what the students are already learning, not something to completely pause the curriculum in order to put on. 9. Elementary music teachers are always peppy and upbeat!
There is definitely a stereotype about teachers who work with younger students. Many people picture a young, extroverted person who is always peppy and energetic, and there’s nothing wrong with being that person at all! I, on the other hand, often do not fit that description.
I’m a naturally laid-back person, more introverted than anything, and I’m pretty soft-spoken. However, none of that means that I’m negative or cannot successfully teach music. I have a successful music classroom because I use my personality to my advantage. No matter your personality type, you can lead a positive music experience! 10. You are just there to give classroom teachers a break.
For some reason, this is a big thought amongst many people. They assume that Specials teachers (my school’s term for music, art, drama, PE, and tech) exist only to give classroom teachers a break, meaning you’re no more than a babysitter.
Of course, you and I both know that is not even close to the truth. We have standards just like all other subjects, and we have the capability to build strong relationships with students because we see them year after year. Don’t listen to the naysayers who say otherwise!
There you have it! Ten misconceptions about elementary music. Whether you’ve believed some of these points, or other people have mentioned them at some point during your career, I hope that we’ve cleared up any confusion there might have been!
What misconceptions have you had about general music? Let us know! This article was submitted by Rachel Ammons, contributing author for ThatMusicTeacher.com. Interested in becoming a contributing author? Email resume and writing sample to bryson@thatmusicteacher.com. 
If you told me a year ago that I would be teaching kindergarten music online for a quarter of the year, I would have told you that you were crazy. I would have told you that nobody would ever think we could teach music online. I would have told you that no district in their right mind would have kindergartners doing online instruction.
Clearly, nobody knew that this past school year would have ended the way it did. Everything changed when schools began to shut down due to COVID-19. We had to adapt. It wasn't perfect by any means, but we made do. I learned a lot while teaching online. I truly did. I learned about myself, my students, and my content area. I learned a lot that I think will shape how I teach for the rest of my career. 1. Technology Inequity is Real
While I guess I always knew this, teaching online has really made me understand just how important it is for our students to have access to high-speed internet, as well as devices to connect to the internet.
The inequities of education were exponentially amplified for our most at-risk students during remote instruction. As we return to whatever school looks like in the fall, we need to ensure all of our students have access to education, even if they don't have access to the internet or devices. What does this look like? I'm not sure. Maybe it looks like states and districts creating more programs for devices and hotspots to be checked out from the district. Maybe it looks like an increase in grant funding for 1:1 devices for students. Maybe it looks like sending home more paper packets for those in rural districts that don't have access to high-speed internet. Whatever it looks like, we need to make sure we are setting our students up for success. 2. Human Connection is Important
Okay, I think we already knew this, but it's worth repeating.
I had students emailing me and logging into optional Zoom meetings that I never would have guessed would. Honestly, there were a few of my students, especially my upper-elementary kiddos, that I thought hated music. Imagine my surprise when these students were the ones excelling at their assignments and going above and beyond my sending me emails and logging into optional Zoom sessions. I honestly learned a lot more about how schools need to make sure we are taking care of the emotional needs of our students during this time. Human connection is important, and we were all more or less locked down for months. Our students needed that type of interaction during a crazy time. Human connection is important. It always will be. 3. Technology, Technology, Technology
We got thrust into teaching online pretty much overnight. This total (and sudden) immersion into technology was a huge adjustment. But it was also a great way for us to be forced into using some of websites, apps, and programs that have been around for a while.
I know I ended up using Flipgrid for all of my recorder assignments and assessments during this online teaching. And honestly, I'm thinking of at least keeping it as an option for those students that want to be able to work on their playing tests at home and submit online. I also feel like I've become somewhat of an expert at using Zoom. While I'd used a bit here and there prior to this year, I've ended up using it daily. When my piano lessons ended up transitioning to Zoom, I was a little concerned, but after a few weeks, I think I got the hang of it. 4. I Shouldn't Work From Home
While this one is more personal, I think it's worth sharing. After a few weeks, the novelty of teaching from home, more or less on my own schedule, wore off. Pretty much every day was identical to the one before it, and I started to get into a funk.
I've always wondered if I would ever enjoy working from home, and after teaching from my home office for the past few months, I can definitively say that working from home is not for me. I like a schedule that changes from day to day, and I need interaction with others to recharge. 5. Schools Don't Just Teach
This is another one that I guess I already knew, but I was shown just how true it was over the past months.
Schools provide meals to those students that need it. They provide social interactions for those that are neglected at home. School counselors, social workers, and teachers provide a social safety net for some of our most vulnerable students. Schools aren't just about imparting knowledge. And I think that's a good thing. We can't teach a student if they aren't having their basic needs met. I truly hope that this pandemic has shown just how much schools do for the communities they serve. And I hope that funding is allocated to help us achieve these enormous tasks. 6. So Much More
I know that there will be things I don't realize I had learned until we transition back to in-person instruction (hopefully) in the fall.
I fully expect to realize how much this past year has shaped me as an educator, but I won't have any idea what all I've learned until we get back into the classroom. I truly expect these lessons to stick with me for the rest of my career.
I pray that we never have another situation like this. I truly hope that we never have to try to educate our students from such a distance for so long.
But as much as this situation has been terrible, I believe we as a society have learned so much. I believe that we as educators have been forced to move into a new era of implementing technology into our classrooms. I truly believe that we will use this as a catalyst for change in our schools and our communities. And hey, at least we've made it through the year. 
We’re back at it again with a list of books for your elementary music library! This time, the focus is on books that feature stories from music history. These books are great for introducing composers/events to students, and can also be extensions to concepts you are already using in your classroom.
I’m passionate about music history, and all of its weird, exciting twists and turns. I hope this list will ignite that passion in you and your students, as well! These books are great for in-person class, but also for distance learning. All of these can be used as read-alouds for a virtual class meeting, and each can inspire various stimulating music-related assignments/activities for your students. Some lesson ideas are included with each book description below. No matter what situation you find yourself in, these five books belong in your classroom! 1. When Stravinsky Met Nijinsky, Lauren Stringer 
I will admit, I have a personal soft spot for Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring. The dissonance, the rhythms, the story, it’s all so captivating! This book really highlights the exciting parts about both the music and the choreography of the infamous 1913 ballet.
Upper elementary students love the idea of a riot (at a ballet, of all places!) and you can use that excitement to jump into discussions on syncopation, dissonant chords, and many other musical concepts! 2. Saint-Saens' Danse Macabre, Anna Harwell Celenza 
The music of Danse Macabre on its own is absolutely fantastic. When accompanied by this book, my students loved it even more! It follows Camille Saint-Saens as he is inspired to write the ghoulish music.
It is a great book to use around Halloween time, or any time you are wanting to discuss imagery in music, different roles that instruments play in a piece, or ¾ time! 3. A Band of Angels, Deborah Hopkinson 
This is a beautiful book that follows the story of the Jubilee Singers, a group of African American singers, who were also former slaves, who toured the United States to raise money to keep their college open.
It introduces real slave spirituals, including “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot.” The author brings us along on their journey of hardship and shows us how the singers triumph through the power of music. Many teachers use this book during Black History Month, but it would also be a great book for introducing or expanding upon the idea of call and response and other concepts related to spirituals. 
4. Bach's Goldberg Variations, Anna Harwell Celenza 
This book is full of rich vocabulary for all levels of your elementary classes! The story follows young Johann Gottlieb Goldberg, and how he came to live with Count Keyserlingk and take lessons from J.S. Bach.
What I love about this book is that it is rich with concepts and history, while still being accessible to elementary students. Some of the concepts addressed are canons, arias, and variations. It also includes a more detailed history of the Goldberg Variations at the very end, in case you or your students are interested in learning more! 5. Do, Re, Mi: If you Can Read This, Thank Guido D'Arezzo, Susan L. Roth 
This is one book that my students absolutely love! The art style is unique and the story is engaging. It follows Guido D’Arezzo from when he was a young boy with a dream all the way through adulthood.
The book also explores how his idea of musical notation was not accepted at first, which can be a powerful lesson about perseverance for your students. It can be used for all levels of elementary, and is a great starting point for discussing musical notation and literacy.
I hope you found something new in this list to bring to your classrooms! Music history is a subject often pushed to the side in favor of other aspects of music, which is completely understandable.
On the other hand, delving into music history can give students a new perspective on the music they are listening to, and can develop a deeper appreciation for the art of music. What could be better than that? This post may contain affiliate links. I will receive a small commission on any purchases through these links, but there is no cost passed on to you! Affiliate links help keep the lights on! This article was submitted by Rachel Ammons, contributing author for ThatMusicTeacher.com. Interested in becoming a contributing author? Email resume and writing sample to bryson@thatmusicteacher.com. 
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AuthorsBryson Tarbet is the CEO and founder of That Music Teacher, LLC. Archives
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