Transitions between class

I stumbled into this idea a few years ago and it has made transitions between classes wonderful.  Sometimes I have to walk the kids down to P.E. or back to their room and this has been a step that helps make their transitions easier and controls their walking through the hallway.  I took a couple of those big instrument family posters (that I rarely actually use in my classroom) and I posted them up in my hallway.  Now when I'm walking a class down the hallway I can say to the line leader "Walk down to the harp and stop" or "Walk all the way down the hall until the picture of an instrument from the brass family and then stop."  It's been a really great thing to control the line and free me up but also helps to solidify classroom content.  The best part is when you have to stop and address a behavior with a student or when a first grader really has to tell you a very important story about their weekend because the line can take care of itself.  You can walk back with the class and the line leader has a defined place to stop in the hallway.

I have them at different intervals down the hallways so that I can stop them at different spots.  I've toyed with the idea of spreading this concept school wide so that all teachers can use it.  Then instead of saying "go to the corner and stop" they can say "go and stop at the picture of the hexagon" or whatever.  If I wanted I could do this by putting a quarter note in one spot and a half note somewhere else and tell the kids to "stop at the note that gets two counts" or something like that.

I chose recognizable instruments so that students can easily find what I'm talking about whatever their age.  It seems like even first graders can get the picture of a trumpet or a harp if I teach it well enough at the beginning of the year.  If they don't know the instrument you can say something like "walk down until you see the picture of a trumpet on the red poster."  Since they're all color coordinated it works pretty well.

Perfect People Poppers

This is one of my favorite little tricks!  In fact you can find this trick and more like it in the book "These Tricks Are For Kids" a book all about Elementary Music Education by Debbie Gray.  Debbie was the woman that I student taught with and she's AMAZING!  Check out her website!  Debbieonthewebbie.com

This trick is easy.  I had a nice thick piece of cardboard that I covered with a scrap of fabric (but you could do this on a bulletin board or wall somewhere).  The fabric board is then covered with large size bubble wrap and I hung it with s hooks and a little rope.  Any time a kid does something awesome they get to go "pop a bubble" or "pop a popper." Kids love it.  My rule is that we all stop to listen to the chosen kid pop and then we clap for them.  Kids love it, they work for it, and it's so easy to make.

I work a part-time retail job and they give me all the bubble wrap that is used to package props and sale items.  I get it for free but I think that you can get it pretty cheap on a big roll at UPS or at an office supply store.  Debbie staples the bubble wrap to a bulletin board (which is probably easier than what I do).  She uses wrapping paper or butcher paper behind the bubble wrap to change the look of it.  It's super easy to pull off and is actually pretty fun.  I mean, who doesn't like bubble wrap!

Happy New Year!  It's a new school year with new exciting challenges!  Putting up bulletin boards, working on curriculum, reorganizing, and so much more.  With so much to do, why not add on one more thing and start a blog!  :D

I decided to create this blog because I've been so blessed by looking at other people's ideas and room decorations and borrowing their ideas.  I thought I would add my little part to the web to show you how I've adapted ideas or changed things or come up with new concepts.  It's always fun to share what works and what's new and exciting in your room.  It's so rare that music teachers get to spend time with other music teachers and borrow ideas.  Thank goodness for the internet, blogs, and PINTEREST.  They've made idea sharing so much quicker and easier.

Some of the things that I do won't work for you.  I'm very fortunate to have a big room and some great resources.  Some of the things you won't need.  I have an extremely small budget and so I have to make do with what I have or what I can get cheap or have donated.  I've borrowed a lot of things and I'll try and credit the people I stole the ideas from, but if I forget (and it's you) tell me and I'll be sure to tag you or post a link to your page!

Send feedback if you have questions or comments and especially if you have new ideas for me to try!

All best,
David