Beth’s Blog
How to Make Melodic Contour Instantly Click for Your Students
As elementary music teachers, we know how important it is for students to develop a strong foundation in music theory. One of the fundamental concepts is reading melodies and understanding how it moves up and down through steps, skips, leaps, and repeats. While it can...
Black History Month Songs and Activities Your Students Will Love
February is Black History Month, and it's a great time to highlight the rich contributions of African-American musicians and composers. Music is a great way to help students connect with culture, history, and how people use music to express themselves and stand up for...
How to Make Virtual Music Classes Exciting This Winter
Teaching virtual music classes on a snow day doesn’t have to feel like herding cats through a blizzard—it can actually be fun and exciting with the right strategies. In this post, I’ll share specific activities and practical tips to help you create virtual lessons...
Transform Your Music Lessons with These Fun Movement Props
Looking to add more movement and excitement to your music lessons? Movement props are a game-changer! They’re an easy way to engage students, reinforce musical concepts, and encourage creativity. In this post, I’m highlighting three of my favorite props—scarves,...
From Classroom to Concert: Christmas Music Activities Kids Love
The holiday season brings excitement, joy, and a little extra energy to the music room. As elementary music teachers, we can channel that enthusiasm into meaningful musical learning with exciting Christmas music activities. In this post, we’ll explore some different...
The 12 Days of Christmas: Exciting Music Activities for December
The holiday season is the best time to sprinkle in some extra fun in music class, and The 12 Days of Christmas is the perfect song for it! It’s silly, catchy, and plus, its repetitive style means there are so many ways to use it for interactive, hands-on learning!...
Bring Books to Life! How to Use Sound Stories in PreK to 1st Grade Music Lessons
As elementary music teachers, we’re always looking for creative ways to engage our youngest students in meaningful music-making. A wonderful way to do this is through sound stories. This simple, yet effective, strategy not only keeps students entertained but also...
The Magic of Peter and the Wolf: Creative Activities for Elementary Music
Peter and the Wolf by Sergei Prokofiev is a timeless classic that introduces students to orchestral instruments and musical storytelling. Each of the characters, represented by a different instrument, give options for creating exciting and engaging lessons for...
Get Students Excited with These 5 Halloween Music Activities
Halloween can be an incredibly fun but chaotic time in the elementary music classroom. Students brim with excitement, anticipating costumes and candy, which can make it hard to focus on your lesson plans. Add to that the extra activities and parties, and it can feel...
Exciting Music Bean Bag Activities for Your Classroom
In the world of elementary music, finding simple yet effective tools to engage students is key. One versatile, budget-friendly tool I love using in my classroom is the bean bag! These tactile objects may seem basic, but they offer a wide range of benefits for rhythm,...
