Music Teacher Coffee Talk

Music Teacher Coffee Talk · MTCT #155: Realizing Diversity Check-In In this epsiode, Carrie and Tanya check in on how they have implemented things they learned during the 2023 Summer Book Club while reading Realizing Diversity: An Equity Framework for Music Education  by Karen Howard. Main Theme: Realizing Diversity Check-In After reading Realizing Diversity , we were inspired to create a "Music Culture Project," similar to the project outlined in Appendix D in the book. With the help of a few other teachers in our district, we created a 5-lesson unit that traces the "Son Clave" rhythm from Ghana to the Americas and how it appears in music of many cultures, genres, and time periods. Here are some resources we mention as we discuss the unit we created and taught to our 5th graders: 2023 Summer Book Club Episodes: Episode #135:  Part 1 Episode #136:  Part 2 Episode #137:  Part 3 Episode #138:  Part 4 Let Your Voice Be Heard: Songs from Ghana and Zimbabwe by  Abraha

Music Teacher Coffee Talk · MTCT #153: Marvelous Music Manipulatives ft. Debbie O'Shea Today we are excited to welcome Debbie O'Shea to our to our podcast to talk about manipulatives in the music room.  DEBBIE O’SHEA  is an enthusiastic and experienced music educator. Her qualifications include a Masters of Music Studies, a Graduate Diploma of Music Education, a Bachelor of Education, and the Holy Names Kodaly Summer Certificate (California - held in Brisbane). In 2020 Debbie earned national accreditation as a Highly Accomplished Teacher.  Debbie is passionate about supporting music educators through Crescendo Music Education. She has worked as a classroom teacher, primary music specialist, early childhood music teacher, curriculum writer, lecturer, workshop presenter, massed choir conductor and composer. Debbie is currently a Kodály Queensland Committee Member and has the Kodály Philosophy in the heart of her teaching. She has had the honour of working with Catholic Educatio

Music Teacher Coffee Talk · MTCT #152: Performances in a Pinch   Main Theme: Performances in a Pinch In this episode, Tanya and Carrie discuss strategies for putting together a musical performance when you are short on time. Keep a simple theme or concept to your performance Picture book adaptation Thematic concert Informance Interactive experience like a Singing Games night or Folk Dance night Keep costumes/scenery at minimum Maximize class time Split different parts or sections of the performances among different classes/sections so each group doesn't have to learn everything. Use musical selections that you have already taught Give students opportunities to practice at home by sending home practice sheets or posting to Google Classroom (or whatever LMS you use) Get help from other teachers or parent volunteers Avoid the time crunch next year Schedule your programs for next year in May Limit your performances to what is doable for you and don't say yes to everything Past Mu

Music Teacher Coffee Talk · MTCT #151: Tips from the Trenches Main Theme: Tips from the Trenches Tanya and Carrie share their favorite, tried-and-true "work smarter, not harder" teacher tips.  Tips for Lesson and Classroom Planning Set a timer to stay focused on specific tasks. Keep an index card or paper handy to write notes of things you will take care of later so can you continue to be focused on one task at a time. Take time to write down notes on lessons you've already taught to make sure you teach the same thing to future classes. For family communications, send home at least 3 notices in either paper or electronic form: 1st notice: At least 1 month out 2nd notice: 2 weeks out 3rd notice: 3 days out Tech Tips: Organize Google Drive folders with color coding and number system that works for you. Use Canva to make worksheets Schedule emails Use Google Classroom (or another LMS) for extracurricular ensembles and clubs Make a master Google Slides deck to house all vis

Music Teacher Coffee Talk · MTCT #150: What To Do When You Have "That Class" Upcoming Event! Virginia Organization of Kodály Educators February 10, 2024 9:00-1:00 Carrie and Tanya will present "Work Smarter, Not Harder" at Shenandoah University in Winchester, VA Main Theme: What to do when you have "That Class" Things we mention in this episode: Restorative Practices PBIS Alfie Kohn Tanya's Music Money system: If you are interested in getting a copy of Tanya's Music Money template, leave us a review on iTunes and then email us at musicteachercoffeetalk@gmail.com and she'll send it your way! Tanya's Rhythm Tracing Worksheets Know Better, Do Better Tanya talks about the concept of narrative vs. counter-narrative when considering music to present to your students. This is a concept that Brandi Waller-Pace presented at a resent workshop for the Rocky Mountain Chapter of AOSA. This is a great reminder to include under represented musicians who

Music Teacher Coffee Talk · MTCT #149: New Year's Intentions Main Theme Happy New Year! In this episode, Carrie and Tanya talk about their intentions for the New Year, both at home and at school. Things we mention in this episode: Headspace  guided meditations 10% Happier  app and podcast Calm for sleep and meditation Coda Tanya recommends  More Happier podcast with Gretchen Rubins   Carrie recommends watching The Crown on Netflix Did you enjoy this episode?  Consider buying us a coffee to thank us for our work. Click the button below!  

Music Teacher Coffee Talk · MTCT #148: Elementary Choir Main Theme: Elementary Choir In this episode, Carrie and Tanya talk all about Elementary Choir. We talk about why you might have a choir at your school, why you might not, how to organize and recruit singers, how to plan your rehearsals, and some of our favorite repertoire and resources. Favorite repertoire for Elementary Choir: 150 Rounds for Teaching and Singing  by Edward Bolcovac and Judith Johnson Happy Winter by Jill Gallina How Can I Keep From Singing by Ginger Littleton Build Me a World by Ginger Littleton Path to the Moon by Eric Thiman Something Told the Wild Geese  by Sherri Porterfield The Clouds by Cynthia Gray Seagull, Seagull by Susan Brumfield Birch Tree  by Mary Goetze Helpful resources for Elementary Choir: Kate Klotz's Choir Planner (Freebie on TpT) Choir Builders by Rollo Dillworth One Accord by Georgia Newlin Reach out to local children's choral for professional development opportunities, chor