tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84094598299668166442024-03-13T23:21:48.260-04:00Music with Mrs. DennisA glimpse into elementary general music . . .miredohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657824312854446820noreply@blogger.comBlogger169125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8409459829966816644.post-36478352427149469212021-03-31T20:26:00.000-04:002021-03-31T20:26:24.084-04:00Rainy Day RhythmsIt is spring! I've got some rainy day resources for your music lessons.This video is a read aloud of "Listen To the Rain" by Bill Martin, Jr. and John Archambault. It is paired with Chopin's "Raindrop Prelude". It starts bright with gentle sprinkles. The middle section is more dark and gloomy as the storm brews. At the end, the sun returns with a rainbow and it is bright and happy again. The miredohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657824312854446820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8409459829966816644.post-72679447449963214772021-01-30T15:39:00.000-05:002021-01-30T15:39:19.478-05:00Scratch For Music Educators Video TutorialsThe challenges of distance learning have led me down a deep rabbit hole to learn how to code. I have been using Scratch to create interactive music experiences for my students learning at home. If you missed my other posts on Scratch, click this link.I have created a Facebook Group called Scratch For Music Educators. The group is growing rapidly. Many members are new and are unsure of how tomiredohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657824312854446820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8409459829966816644.post-29588744725659467262021-01-24T16:25:00.001-05:002021-01-24T16:25:18.962-05:00Scratch: Size and PitchThe challenges of distance learning have led me down a deep rabbit hole to learn how to code. I have been using Scratch to create interactive music experiences for my students learning at home. If you missed my other posts on Scratch, click this link.I use fairy tales to help introduce the kindergarten students to the Orff instruments for the first time. I "The Three Billy Goats Gruff" we miredohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657824312854446820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8409459829966816644.post-68702247181351252632021-01-24T16:02:00.001-05:002021-01-24T16:02:53.075-05:00Scratch: Triplet Games The challenges of distance learning have led me down a deep rabbit hole to learn how to code. I have been using Scratch to create interactive music experiences for my students learning at home. If you missed my other posts on Scratch, click this link.These games focus on triplets. "Loose Tooth" is a poem I learned at an Orff workshop using a body percussion ostinato. We would transfer miredohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657824312854446820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8409459829966816644.post-7000093536763333392021-01-24T12:27:00.005-05:002021-01-24T12:27:53.095-05:00Scratch Melodic GamesThe challenges of distance learning have led me down a deep rabbit hole to learn how to code. I have been using Scratch to create interactive music experiences for my students learning at home. If you missed my other posts on Scratch, click this link.The projects I'm sharing in this post focus on melody. In Tideo, the students will play the Tideo phrase at the ends of each line. In the videomiredohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657824312854446820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8409459829966816644.post-40090293147664677692021-01-24T11:39:00.003-05:002021-01-24T11:50:28.861-05:00Scratch: The Mitten & The Cold Lady The challenges of distance learning have led me down a deep rabbit hole to learn how to code. I have been using Scratch to create interactive music experiences where students can play virtual instruments. If you missed my first post on Scratch, click this link. My latest projects involve books-There Was a Cold Lady Who Swallowed Some Snow (Lucille Colandro) and The Mitten miredohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657824312854446820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8409459829966816644.post-73930579998245979592020-10-21T20:26:00.004-04:002021-01-24T16:04:12.790-05:00Music Educators Coding With ScratchCoding. Did I ever think I would be teaching myself how to code? Nope. But, here I am jumping down the rabbit hole. Who knew it would be something that would expand my skills as a music educator?I elected to be a cloud teacher for the district through December. I am the sole elementary music educator for 1400 cloud students. So, all of my teaching must be delivered asynchronously. With this largemiredohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657824312854446820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8409459829966816644.post-3602843040376564162020-04-09T16:58:00.001-04:002020-04-09T17:04:31.059-04:00Using Google Forms To Submit Photo/Video
I would like to share how I use Google Forms for my students to submit photos and videos of their work. It has been a wonderful feature to manage responses and media from such a large amount of students.
I have two videos below. The first video shows you how to create your Google Form. The second video shows how to view and organized the responses. If you have any questions, miredohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657824312854446820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8409459829966816644.post-43399916978929698392020-04-08T22:35:00.001-04:002020-04-08T22:35:28.440-04:00Nontraditional Instruction: Family Music Interview
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, schools nationwide are forced to close and implement instruction from home. My district is calling this NTI (Nontraditional Instruction). The lessons I create must be accessible for all students, even those without access to technology. We are creating packets each week that get dropped off and collected by the bus drivers. I will be sharing all my lesson ideas for miredohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657824312854446820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8409459829966816644.post-65410116784801712422020-03-18T23:05:00.000-04:002020-04-08T22:32:36.084-04:00Recorder Play-Along Video TutorialThis year, I started creating recorder play-along videos so my students could practice more efficiently at home. They have also been great for centers when I am assessing. Students who need some extra practice time or review can use these videos to practice before coming to me to play for their string test.
In each video, I sing the lyrics, sing the letters while fingering, and then miredohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657824312854446820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8409459829966816644.post-67708537448359538922020-03-13T12:35:00.001-04:002020-04-08T22:32:55.409-04:00Nontraditional Music Instruction: Environmental PercussionMy district is starting Nontraditional Instruction starting Monday due to the rapid spread of COVID-19. Teachers will be asked to report to school everyday, but students will remain home. I will be sharing any materials I create for assignments for free and will be available to answer any questions you also have.
Here is the basics of how this process will work. We surveyed families to find out miredohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657824312854446820noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8409459829966816644.post-86984714243870740062020-03-11T23:06:00.000-04:002020-03-11T23:06:49.191-04:00Mallet Wrapping UpdateFour years ago, I searched YouTube for tutorials on mallet wrapping. Here is my first post on that journey.
Below is a picture of mallets that I rewrapped four years, They are starting to fray.
I also have several pairs that were still factory-wrapped that are in rough shape.
I spent the weekend rewrapping over 17 pairs of mallets and I have made a tutorial video miredohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657824312854446820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8409459829966816644.post-25664706868424624112020-03-11T21:32:00.000-04:002020-03-11T21:32:52.832-04:00Orff Visual Update
My second year teaching, I created an Orff visual aid with removable Velcro bars. More details about that instrument can be found on this post.
After 14 years of teaching, the foam board is severely worn. The F was ripped and replaced by folded paper and a paperclip. Many of the labels have multiple layers of scotch tape holding them on. I decided it was time for an upgrade.
miredohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657824312854446820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8409459829966816644.post-83187860020729663212019-10-19T10:56:00.000-04:002019-10-19T10:56:06.713-04:00Orff Arranging With An App
I love to use the Acapella app to help create Orff arrangements. You can record videos and hear multiple parts simultaneously. There is a free version and paid version available in the Apple Store and Google Play.
With the free version of the app, you can record up to one minute in length. Since most of the Orff arrangements use repeated ostinatos, I have never needed a video longer miredohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657824312854446820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8409459829966816644.post-48546528919222637742019-10-12T07:51:00.000-04:002019-10-12T07:51:04.693-04:00Friday Reflection: Lost and Found
September set records for the hottest and driest month in over 80 years. But, fall has finally arrived and we are experiencing a cool down. With changing temps comes layers, and children love to shed layers while we are moving and dancing in music class. But, they don't always remember to take their jackets and hoodies with them when they leave. Last year, I came up with a solution.
I miredohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657824312854446820noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8409459829966816644.post-25110713423606103832019-09-27T20:34:00.001-04:002019-09-27T20:44:12.230-04:00Friday Reflection: Never Stop Learning
Three years ago, my student teacher sparked my interest in the ukulele and I began teaching myself how to play. During these years, I have fallen in love with this tiny instrument. Since then, I acquired a class set of ukuleles and began adjusting my curriculum. I even began teaching private lessons on the ukulele and now have a private studio which is growing steadily. Not only has the miredohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657824312854446820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8409459829966816644.post-3945114426990952772019-09-13T18:19:00.002-04:002019-09-13T18:19:19.587-04:00Friday Reflection: Orff Bar Storage
I am very fortunate to have a large collection of Orff instruments. I am also very fortunate to have a large space to allow most of the instruments to remain out at all times and still have open space for movement. Here is a glance of my Orff set-up. You can view a full tour of my room on this post.
I feel like I have a pretty good system for my instruments ... except for my miredohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657824312854446820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8409459829966816644.post-25207471293061932332019-09-06T19:39:00.003-04:002019-09-06T19:39:33.730-04:00Friday Reflection: Creating
Today's reflection focuses on "Creating" in the music room. Watch below to learn more about how I introduce composition to my students.
Here are some links to learn more about things referenced in this video:
National Standards Bulletin Board
Book Composition Lesson
miredohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657824312854446820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8409459829966816644.post-4602548993310620382019-08-30T20:16:00.001-04:002019-08-30T20:18:18.637-04:00Friday Reflection: Isolating Your Senses
I hope to share ideas and tips on a more regular basis, so I am starting a series called Friday Reflections. Each Friday, I will reflect on my week and try to share a highlight which may be helpful to you. It may be a resource which I use that I would like to recommend. It may be my favorite moment from the week. It may be a revelation I had to improve my own practices. These posts will miredohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657824312854446820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8409459829966816644.post-19784860663150068142019-08-24T10:35:00.000-04:002019-08-24T10:35:08.245-04:00Another Use For Binder ClipsA teacher's plight-getting things to stick to the cinder block walls. Most of the time, I can use masking tape hot glue, sticky tack, Stikki Clips, or any combination of those. However, I have 4 large posters which were laminated with the cold laminator. It made them very heavy and NOTHING seems to stick to that cold laminating film. Here is a picture of the posters from my classroom tour in 2012miredohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657824312854446820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8409459829966816644.post-32983343676988798432019-08-14T22:09:00.000-04:002019-08-14T22:09:02.497-04:00Ukulele Cabinet Update
I have 40 Kala Waterman Ukuleles which I store in a plastic double-door cabinet. If you would like to learn more about how I created this custom storage, click on this link to a previous blog post.
All last year, I stared at this circular handle on my ukulele cabinet and I imagined a sound hole. I just KNEW this bland cabinet NEEDED a ukulele on the front doors. But, there is never enoughmiredohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657824312854446820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8409459829966816644.post-6676280750397036582019-05-30T05:41:00.001-04:002019-05-30T05:41:44.001-04:00Bubble Wrap Incentives
Since spring break, I've discovered a cheap and effective behavior incentive--BUBBLE WRAP!
It happened by accident. I had opened a box of supplies but didn't have time to put them all away before my first class came in. The 5th graders immediately spotted the bubble wrap and begged to pop it. I told them they would have to earn the deserved the bubble wrap. They were angels!!! So, I cut miredohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657824312854446820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8409459829966816644.post-54495227074953467892019-03-01T22:41:00.000-05:002019-03-01T22:41:29.571-05:00Instrument Repair: Recorder Block
In my 14 years teaching, I’ve always used Yamaha 3-piece recorder and I’ve never had a recorder sound block fall out... until now! This student tried to fix it himself and got the block misaligned and stuck. In the video below, I show how I attempted to remove the block safely so I could fix it properly.
Have you ever had a sound block fall out of a recorder? This was mymiredohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657824312854446820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8409459829966816644.post-49504100908406740852018-09-08T18:40:00.003-04:002019-05-30T05:42:01.272-04:00Classroom Mascots
I recently saw a post on Facebook that Target had a doll with a musical shirt with solfege. I had to run to Target to check it out. While I was there, I also saw a doll with paintbrushes on her shirt. The dolls were part of the Pillowfort collection and can be found in the children's bedroom section. They are named the Composer and the Artist on the Target website and retail for $16.99 each. miredohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657824312854446820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8409459829966816644.post-34486634667240422622018-09-01T14:15:00.000-04:002018-09-04T16:26:09.373-04:00Challenging Early Finishers
In every subject, in every class, there will always be students who finish very quickly and others who need extra time. But, how do you keep the early finishers engaged and allow enough time for the entire class to finish?
I recently did rhythm composition lessons with 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade. We always complete an example on the board together and then they are given their own paper miredohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657824312854446820noreply@blogger.com0