Technology In The Music Classroom

Hello Teachers,
I hope you are having a fun summer!

Technology In The Music  Classroom Part-1

My classes love using technology such as smartboard games, ipod games, youtube and music software.  They can’t seem to get enough of them so I decided to spend some time checking out fun websites to use in my classroom. Here are two websites I’d like to use in my classroom.

Chuck Vanderchucks "Something Something" Explosion
I really had a blast with all the different games for this  website.  Your class can explore eight unique musical styles with the rockin' Chuck Vanderchuck and his bandmate, Ramona. Help the band write song lyrics, test your ears with a "Name That Instrument" game, and create your own tunes too!



Click on the picture to check out this website!



Music Exploratorium
Find out the scientific answers to some of your most common music questions such as "Why do some songs get stuck in my head?". Want to create your own music? Check out the Dot Mixer and Step Re-mix in the Online Exhibits.

Click on the picture to check out this website!

Next week I will be sharing some fun note reading websites I think will be fun for your classes. I can't wait to see if the note reading games will help my students become better note readers this year. See you next week for Technology In The Music Classroom Part-2. What music websites do your children like the most? I would love to hear about them. Sherry Stucki :)

Want more fun activities and ideas for your music class?
be sure to Sign-up by email on my side bar to claim a monthly freebie, teacher tips & tricks. I would love to hear thoughts you might have in the comments below. Sherry :)

Check out some of my favorite games and activities!
You can contact me via email:  sherrystucki@aim.com

          

Popular Music Activity!

Popular Music Activity!

Welcome Back Teachers!
End of The Year Challenge: By the end of the year my classes are so excited with all the extra activities going on in school such as  field day,  the school talent show and end of the year class parties, that it is hard for them to focus on learning new skills.

The Solution: I keep them learning by saving one of their favorite music lessons for the end of the year.  I save “The Carnival of The Animals” lesson for my 1st and 2nd graders for the last two weeks of school. I do a fun activity by highlighting half of the animals one week and then the rest of the animals the second week.

Mini Lesson: This activity is so fun that your class will beg to do it again. The last animal I do is called the  “Aquarium” .  I have the class sit in a circle around 2 black lights. For safety reasons, I tell the class they are not allowed to stand up during the music since the room lights will be turned off. They are also not allowed to touch the lights.  I show my class different ways they can move their fish to look like the fish are swimming, such as (move the wrist back and forth, moving the fish up or down or making the fish shimmer as it moves).

Using Fish To Swim to the Music

I tell them to pretend that the room is a giant aquarium and when the music starts, they can begin to let their fish swim. The picture above  is hard to see, but the fish are glowing in the dark and it looks just like an aquarium full of fish swimming .

Where I Got My Fish: I found these over sized fish at the Lake Shore Learning Teacher Store. I picked these fish because they are colorful and durable. Just  laminate them so you can use  them over again next year. Have a great Summer! Sherry :)

Want more fun activities and ideas for your music class?
be sure to Sign-up by email on my side bar to claim a monthly freebie, teacher tips & tricks. I would love to hear thoughts you might have in the comments below. Sherry :)

Check out some of my favorite games and activities!Contact me via email:  sherrystucki@aim.com

          

How To Rock Your Music Class With Orff & Kodaly

Welcome back teachers!

It’s that time when we all start thinking about the end of the school year and what we’re going do over our summer break. Here is a great way to enjoy our summer.  Let’s sharpen our saws by participating in summer workshops and classes. We can experience a new sense of enthusiasm within our music classrooms through Kodaly and Orff training. The instructors are highly skilled professionals and they will teach you "How To Rock Your Music Class".  These classes are so much fun and rank as high points in my musical training.

Orff-Schulwerk summer courses teach us to engage children with an element of "play", helping them learn through movement and experience music at their own level of understanding. Here is an example of an Orff performance I did with my 4th grade class called Sea Shells. Click on my Freebie tab to grab a fun worksheet that goes along with this song being played by my 4th graders in the video below. This song can also be found in my "Composing Music With Children" Grades: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.

 

"Since the beginning of time, children have not liked to study. They would much rather play, and if you have their interests at heart, you will let them learn while they play; they will find that what they have mastered is child's play.”……… Quote by Carl Orff

Kodaly Summer courses

Kodaly teaches a step by step sequence for helping children to sing, read and write music. Singing, dancing, playing games, creating music, collaborating with others and having fun with friends are all part of these programs.

During the summer, there are many Orff and Kodaly music classes offered around the county. It’s not too late register for one of these exciting classes while getting graduate credits towards our teaching certificate.

Want more fun activities and ideas for your music class?
be sure to Sign-up by email on my side bar to claim a monthly freebie, teacher tips & tricks. I would love to hear thoughts you might have in the comments below. Sherry :)

Check out some of my favorite games and activities!Contact me via email:  sherrystucki@aim.com