Month: August 2017

  • The Secret to Parent Contact

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    by

    harmonyinthehood
    in

    Connecting with parents is such a powerful part of a teacher’s job. Conversations and notes home are so important when establishing a relationship with parents. And when you’re the one music teacher (or other special area teacher), you teach a whole lot more than 30 kids. So…how do you make contact with TONS of parents…

  • 2 ways to create calm transitions in your classroom

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    by

    harmonyinthehood
    in

    When I first started teaching I was so concerned about music content and materials that I didn’t really consider transitions or even protocols for activities. The kids behaved so calmly in the halls with their classroom teachers but once they came into my room, they forgot all about that. I told myself that was OK…

  • 4 Time Saving Hacks for Lesson Planning

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    by

    harmonyinthehood
    in

    I am one of those teachers who has to have a lesson plan. Yes I’ve had to “wing it” from time to time but I’m truly at my best when I have a plan. Over the years, I have spent WAY too much time planning. Hours, days even thinking and rethinking. Finally I figured out…

  • How to Create Recorder Tutors

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    by

    harmonyinthehood
    in

    As I mentioned in my previous post (Recorder Belts…), I started using recorder belts to motivate my students to practice the recorder. It had a bigger impact than I expected. Actually all the kids wanted to do was play recorders – all the time! As much as I love these squeaky instruments, there were other…