Music Teacher Coffee Talk

Music Teacher Coffee Talk · MTCT #177: Outside Singing Games, Part 2   Support us at Buy Me a Coffee! We are excited to offer our listeners support and resources through our new Membership site on Buy Me a Coffee. We have two membership options: Solo Single Shot ($5/month) and Duet Double Shot ($15). Check out our  Buy Me a Coffee membership site  for all the details including the perks you get with each level of membership. We appreciate you supporting our work! Main Theme: Outside Singing Games, Part 2 Carrie and Tanya share some of their favorite singing games and dances that are fun to take outside, especially this time of year. We have shared other singing games in MTCT Episode #13, and you can check those show notes out here . Naughty Kitty Cat Singing Game: Students stand in a circle with hands joined. One student is in the middle of the circle as the butter. Another student is the cat,  walking around the outside of the circle while the class sings. On the ...

Music Teacher Coffee Talk · MTCT #176: Managing Spring Fever Behavior Support us at Buy Me a Coffee! We are excited to offer our listeners support and resources through our new Membership site on Buy Me a Coffee. We have two membership options: Solo Single Shot ($5/month) and Duet Double Shot ($15). Check out our  Buy Me a Coffee membership site  for all the details including the perks you get with each level of membership. We appreciate you supporting our work! Main Theme: Managing Spring Fever Behavior in the Music Room In this episode, Tanya and Carrie talk about strategies and lesson ideas that help when managing Spring Fever behavior challenges in the music room. Things we mention in this episode: " Spring Fever Classroom Management Ideas" by Jennifer Finley . Not a music education specific article, but still a helpful read to get you thinking. Bloom app - great for a calming moment at the end of class and can be a great incentive. Incredibox - another fun incentive ...

Music Teacher Coffee Talk · MTCT #166: Peek at our Week: 3rd Grade Main Theme: Peek at our Week: 3rd Grade Tanya:  These are the songs and activities I am using to practice low la and also just focus on joyful music making during a busy time with a challenging group of students. This Land is Your Land with picture book for an opening song Hi, Lo, Chickalo : Turkey Turkey Gobbler : read more about ways to use this song here! Chimes of Dunkirk dance from the New England Dancing Masters book of the same name. Here's a video of the dance. Carrie : These are the songs and activities I'm using to practice re and prepare/present tika-tika (16th notes). Pumpkin Pumpkin : change the lyrics to "turn in to a pumpkin pie just like that!" Tideo : Paw Paw Patch Know Better, Do Better Check out Ashley Cuthbertson's new book Music as a Vehicle : A Practical Guide to Implementing Culturally Responsive Teaching In Today's Music Classrooms. Work Smarter, Not Harder Tanya r...

Music Teacher Coffee Talk · MTCT #157: Movin' and Groovin' Main Theme: Movin' and Groovin' Carrie and Tanya share some of their favorite singing games, play parties, and dances that are specially good for keeping kids moving and grooving at the end of the year.  Broom Dance: Check out this video from Bow Tie Music Rig a Jig Jig - coming soon! La Raspa  Recording and dance instructions can be found in  Sanna Longden's "More Folk Dance Music for Kids and Teachers, CD 2" Shake Them 'Simmons - coming soon! Simple Square From Chimes of Dunkirk - New England Dancing Masters Music:  Golden Slippers Formation:  Square Dance (8 in a square, standing next to partner).  Ensure that students know their partner and corner.  Also make sure everyone knows if they are couple 1, 2, 3, or 4 and who are the head couples (1 and 3), and head couple (2 and 4). Introduction: Honor to your partner (bow or curtsy to partner) Honor to your corner (bow of curtsy to corner) Wav...

Music Teacher Coffee Talk · MTCT #146: Icing and Sprinkles: Recipes for Success Pt. 4 Check out this episode on YouTube! 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...

Music Teacher Coffee Talk · MTCT #132: 3 Stars and a Wish   Upcoming Events: Tanya will be presenting a workshop titled "How Can I Keep Them Singing: Singing Games and Activities for Older Students" on Saturday, April 22 for the Plains States Kodály Organization (PSKOR) in Kearney, Nebraska.  Get more information here! Main Theme: 3 Stars and a Wish Carrie and Tanya share some thoughts about their first year at their new schools. We each share 3 things that have gone well, and one goal or wish for next year. Tanya's 3 Stars and a Wish ⭐: Tanya has focused on singing just for the joy of singing and not necessarily tying every song into a specific concept or skill ⭐: Tanya has been thoughtful about organized dancing and movement and how to introduce specific skills at each grade ⭐: Tanya has been including more genres of music other than traditional American folk music (popular music and "world" music) for listening 🧚‍♀️: Tanya's wish for next year is to ha...

Music Teacher Coffee Talk · MTCT #112: 3-2-1, The Final Countdown!   Main Theme: The Final Countdown In this episode, Carrie and Tanya discuss some ideas to help get you through the final countdown of the year. 3-2-1-Go! We share 3 songs/dances, 2 resources, and 1 unit or big idea. 3 favorite singing games or dances: Johnny Caught a Flea E Papa Waiari Click here for notation, background info, and game directions Take Me Out the Ballgame Add this chanted ostinato Snowball  dance from Sashay the Donut . Fun to dance with Toast  from The Other Side of the Tracks . Mouse Mousie I Lost the Farmer's Dairy Key 2 favorite resources: De Colores  illustrated by Laura Zarrin  - a beautiful picture book with lyrics in Spanish and English translation Chrome Music Lab Song Maker  - students can create a melodic composition using specific pitches Blooket or Kahoot - great for end of year quizzes! Sashay the Donut - wonderful folk dance resource from the New England Da...

In this episode, Carrie and Tanya discuss strategies to instill resilience for students and teachers during tough times.  This time of year is particularly challenging due to winter blahs and testing stress.  What can we do inside the classroom to help keep the joy during this time of year?  If you are looking for resilience ideas more specific to teachers and things you can do outside  the classroom, check out  Music Teacher Coffee Talk  Episode #34 on Resilience . Tanya and Carrie's tips to instill resilience for students and teachers: Take the time to include Mindfulness and Restorative Practices a little more this time of year.  It is important to build community and trust with students before you can make music with them. Plan more Folk Dancing and movement activities.  Some of our favorites: Sashay the Donut, from the New England Folk Dance Masters book Sashay the Donut Chimes of Dunkirk , from the New England ...