Music Teacher Coffee Talk

Music Teacher Coffee Talk · MTCT #113: Summer Plans for Reflection and Renewal Main Theme: Summer Plans for Reflection and Renewal Reflection What is a success from this year? What was a struggle or failure from this year? What surprised you? What are you looking forward to next year? Renewal How do you renew your personal self over the summer? Family time Reading and vegging out Outdoor time, health, and exercise Travel Home organization How do you renew your professional self over the summer? Update concept plans and do light yearly/calendar planning Edit teaching materials and organize Take a break and set boundaries Read! It’s time for the 2022 Music Teacher Coffee Talk Summer Book Club! This year we will be reading Culturally Responsive Teaching & the Brain by Zaretta Hammond. Want to read and learn with us? Here’s how to join in! 1. Grab a copy and read! Or listen to the audiobook if that’s your preference. 2. Listen in to our episodes this summer where Carrie and Tanya...

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...

Music Teacher Coffee Talk · MTCT #111: Wrap It Up! Main Theme: Wrap it Up! In this episode, Tanya and Carrie discuss how we are wrapping up the school year. We also talk about how to wrap up your time at a particular school and get ready to move on to your next chapter. Past Music Teacher Coffee Talk episodes to help with the End of the Year and Closure: Episode #90: Your Future Self Will Thank You Episode #65: Closure During Distance Learning Episode #39: End of the Year Gems Episode #15: Closure Episode #13: Favorite Outside Songs and Games Things to think about this time of year: Finish up your curricular goals. Don't be heard on yourself about where your kids are now. Be realistic and don't try to cram in new material late in the year. Include fun and different types of classes. Include new and exciting songs and games. Take them outside! More folk dancing and movement. Bring out new manipulatives or things you haven't used in a while. Have stations/centers day that p...

Music Teacher Coffee Talk · MTCT #110: Get a Job! In this episode, Carrie and Tanya talk about tips and strategies for finding and landing your next job. Main Theme: Get a Job! Job Searching: Make Connections -Ask around about jobs that might be opening up in your district, area, or state or the place you want to be. -Networking: Join organizations and attend conferences/workshops. -Remember to ask for letters of recommendation and references early, even if you think you might not need them! Interview Specifics - Research the school where you are interviewing. Be sure to look at their mission/vision statement, demographics, special programs, social media content, classroom teachers' pages, calendar, parent organizations, etc. -When preparing for interview questions, remember to give specific examples that speak to your experiences and strengths. -Also remember to keep it brief and not ramble too much on specific questions. -It's always a nice touch to send a thank-you email t...

Music Teacher Coffee Talk · MTCT #109: Learning Stations Main Theme: Learning Stations in the Music Room Why have Learning Stations? Great way to practice known concepts Allows for small group learning and collaboration Provides intervention opportunities Fun and engaging! Who can enjoy Learning Stations and who are in your groups? Learning Stations can be adapted for all elementary students from Kindergarten up! Students can be grouped randomly, by behavior, by skill. Students can have the opportunity to choose their own group. When should Learning Stations be planned? Use Learning Stations when practicing known concepts. Learning Stations can be used as a way to intensely practice one particular concept or unit. Learning Stations can be used at the end of a grading term to practice multiple concepts learned. Learning Stations are a great way to incorporate holidays and seasons.  They are also perfect right before a school break! Great for sub days and no-voice days! Great for e...

Music Teacher Coffee Talk · MTCT #108: Why OAKE? In this episode, Tanya and Carrie discuss the benefits of membership in the Organization of American Kodály Educators. We also discuss some of our takeaways from the 2022 OAKE National Conference in Pittsburgh. Highs and Lows Tanya mentioned the introducing her students to the Ukranian band DakhaBrakha. Here are some links so you can check them out too: DakhaBrakha live on KEXP DakhaBrakha Facebook page Carrie had fun using these long and short-short animal sound kits with her Kindergarten students this week. Each kiddo got an individual pack they could take home. Here's what they look like: Main Theme: Why OAKE? Here are some resources we mention while discussing the benefits of membership in the Organization of American Kodály Educators and our favorite sessions from the 2022 OAKE conference: OAKE website ¡Canta Conmigo!: Songs and Singing Games from Guatemala and Nicaragua   by Rachel Gibson Sound Thinking by Philip Tacka and Mi...

Music Teacher Coffee Talk · MTCT Episode #107: Increasing Student Engagement Main Theme In this episode, Carrie and Tanya discuss some strategies for increasing student engagement in the music room. We encourage you to read this article, "How to Ensure Students Are Actively Engaged and Not Just Compliant," by Katrina Schwartz . In the article, Schwartz shares a list of qualities from John Almarode, associate professor at James Madison University and co-director of the school's Center for STEM Education and Outreach, that promote student engagement. Through his research, Almarode has observed students demonstrating cognitive engagement 84-86% of the time when at least 3 of these qualities are observed in a classroom. These 8 qualities are great to keep in mind when planning. Look for opportunities to purposefully plan at least a few of these engagement strategies into each of your lessons or : Does the activity, strategy, task, or idea allow for the student to personaliz...