Episode #146: Icing and Sprinkles (Lessons for Success Part IV)

Music Teacher Coffee Talk · MTCT #146: Icing and Sprinkles: Recipes for Success Pt. 4

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Main Theme: Icing and Sprinkles

We are continuing our Recipes for Success series and today's episode is all about transitions. Think of daily lesson plans as a layer cake and the lesson segments are like the foundational layers of the cake. The transitions are like the layers between the cake that bring more flavor and texture. Now it's time for the icing and sprinkles. These are the activities that you include that may not necessarily relate to your main lesson segments or to a melodic or rhythmic concept, but are fun, engaging and contribute to the overall enjoyment of musiking.

Types of "icing and sprinkles" that we like to include:

• Themed lessons
• Carrie shared a themed lesson for Kindergarten that has a sleigh ride theme. Here are the basic activities of the lesson:
• No More Pie: echo song
• Galloping movement to the Wild Rider by Schumann
• Sing with the picture book Over the River and Through the Wood
• Sing and gallop to Bell Horses
• Play bells with the steady beat of Sleigh Ride
• Tap a beat chart along with Sleigh Ride
• Holiday or seasonal lessons and activities
• Stations/Centers day
• Social-Emotional Learning and/or Mindfulness activities
• Musician of the Day/Month listening
• Folk dancing or other formalized dancing (Example: O Belinda!)
• Creative movement activities
• Picture books (Examples: The Dark by Lemony Snicket and illustrated by Jon Klassen, Sam and Dave Dig a Hole by Mac Barnett and illustrated by Jon Klassen, The Tailor and the Mouse adapted by John Feierabend ad illustrated by James McGann, 10 Fat Turkeys by Tony Johnson illustrated by Rich Deas)
• Watching videos of performances or teacher performs for students (Example: Nickel Creek performing The Fox)

Past Music Teacher Coffee Talk episodes where we go into more detail about some of these ideas:

• #131: Subbing for Yourself
• #109: Learning Stations
• #28: Movement and Dance in the Music Room
• #12: Mindfulness in the Music Room

Know Better, Do Better

Carrie talks about the importance of showing both traditional and modern aspects of a culture that is unfamiliar to your students. For example, for Native American heritage month, Carrie showed the video for Indomitable by DJ Shub, which features the Northern Cree singers and then showed this video of a more traditional example of singing and drumming.

Work Smarter, Not Harder

Tanya suggests keep digital notes after an event to help you plan for the next time. Also, it may be helpful to put a reminder in your phone for yourself in the future to remember to go back and read your notes.

Coda

Carrie recommends buying merch now for the 2024 OAKE Conference in Chicago. You can buy merch and find out more about the conference by going to OAKE.org.

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