Thank you for visiting my site. I’ve had increasing numbers of requests for my session notes, lesson files and other resources I’ve been developing. Rather than start a store through TPT, I’ve decided to make a place for you to download them free!
Recorder Music Even Fifth Graders Will Love!
This is a tough time of year for everyone. In our school it is finally spring weather after a long winter with more snow days than anyone can remember. We’ve just started our state testing window, right after spring break. My final concert is done and I’ve moved through my end of year growth…
Making Music Clips on iTunes
Mid-August has rolled around like it always will, and I’m torn between “Can’t wait!” and “Don’t wanna!” like we all are. This past year I’ve taken on our school district website and half of our social media, worked through a live, real time website template change and all my usual duties. I could use another…
To App or Not to App: Nutcracker Story Books
We’re in the last week before the winter break begins. And, like every other elementary school in the world, our children are wild! Throw in the first snow of the season (with snow day) plus a full moon and we’re all more than ready for a vacation when the last day finally rolls around. In the…
What Do You Do With Just One iPad?!
So, you have a teacher iPad. What do you do with it now? How is one little iPad supposed to “transform” your classroom? The answer to that is simple – it doesn’t. 30 students cannot all get personal interaction time with one iPad as the basis for a single lesson. What it can do is…
Reason #10,278 to Digitize Your Music
I’m currently at TMEA in San Antonio, Texas and am loving every minute! My session for the TI:ME Pre-Conference went well on Wednesday and I have enjoyed two days of fantastic sessions. My head is filled with ideas and I’ve (probably) walked 20,000 steps today. Time for a quiet corner to get those ideas out…
Choosing Video to Support Lesson Concepts
We all have done this from time to time. No voice but no sub? Pull a DVD from the tub! It is a necessary option when you’re stuck at school too sick to teach or have the endless chain of non-music substitutes. But we’ve also heard horror stories about those teachers who use video as…
Tech Tips #2: Background Lesson Tracks With GarageBand
This is a demonstration of how to use your iPad and GarageBand to make a background track for a lesson activity. It is quick, simple and can add a lot of spark to your lessons!
Tech Tips #1: Changing Pitch and Tempo of an MP3 File
If your classes are anything like mine, they LOVE to sing with MP3 accompaniment. I subscribe to “Music K-8” and use many of their selections, which are perfect for content and range. Every once in a while though, I run into a situation where the tempo and pitch are not quite right for a group. If one or…
Random Things
I’ve often been asked by colleagues if I have a website or blog to share some of my ideas, tech talk and fix-it-yourself skills. It has been a bit embarrassing to tell them I didn’t and now I’m finally making it happen! I’ll be blogging about incorporating tech, of course, but I’ll also occasionally post…
digitalDoReMi 