Teacher Tuesday: dynamics lesson for "too much noise"

I'm back with another lesson idea for using literature to introduce and practice music concepts with lower elementary students! Today's post is on a book that is brand new to me this year: a wonderful book by Ann McGovern called "Too Much Noise". *this post contains affiliate links* I just used this book this past week (you can get it on Amazon...

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Mommy Monday: preschooler pumpkin craft

Well, it's that time of year, folks: pumpkin season!! People seem to have a very strong opinion on the topic of pumpkins, one way or another. I never realized this was such a touchy subject for people- I honestly don't really have strong feelings one way or the other in regards to pumpkins, or any other gourds or vegetables for that matter. But I did...

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Fermata Friday: September 25, 2015

Welcome to this week's installment of my weekly linky party, Fermata Fridays! This is a chance for music education bloggers to share blog posts with readers and bloggers alike, so we can all mingle and learn from each other. Readers, you are going to love all of the awesome blog posts that are out there- I hope you discover some new blogs to follow...

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Teacher Tuesday: from national standards to specific lessons

I'm back today with another post on lesson planning! A couple of weeks ago I shared a brief overview for how I go about my long-range planning. Today I want to talk about my overall process for getting from the broad National Core Arts general music standards to my specific, day-to-day lesson plans. 1. From National Standards to Scope and Sequence The...

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Mommy Monday: lunchbox menu ideas

Well, the girls have been in preschool for about 2 weeks now, and I am calling it a success! One of my girls announced the other day that she would like to go to school every day. Instead of counting down to the weekend, they are counting down to Mondays! So yeah, I feel a little bit like chopped liver, but that's OK :) Although I was pretty anxious...

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Fermata Friday: September 18, 2015

Welcome to this week's installment of my weekly linky party, Fermata Fridays! This is a chance for music education bloggers to share blog posts with readers and bloggers alike, so we can all mingle and learn from each other. Readers, you are going to love all of the awesome blog posts that are out there- I hope you discover some new blogs to follow...

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Teacher Tuesday: September small goals

OK, so I'm a little late. September is definitely flying by! But in any case, I'm linking up with Jennifer at The Yellow Brick Road to share my September small goals. Setting small goals each month has been a great motivator for me- check out the linky party to see what everyone else is up to this month and maybe you'll get inspired to set your own...

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Mommy Monday: DIY planner stickers

So.... it's September. Anyone else feeling the pressure?!? Wow, as an elementary teacher for almost a decade you would think I would have had a clue what it was like to be a parent of preschool children. I didn't. Now I know. Guys, back-to-school season as a teacher is tough, but it's 10 million times harder as a teacher and parent combination. Whew! All...

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Fermata Friday: September 11, 2015

Welcome to this week's installment of my weekly linky party, Fermata Fridays! This is a chance for music education bloggers to share blog posts with readers and bloggers alike, so we can all mingle and learn from each other. Readers, you are going to love all of the awesome blog posts that are out there- I hope you discover some new blogs to follow...

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Giveaway: world music lesson set

I recently reached 500 followers on my TeachersPayTeachers store! As a thank you to everyone who has been supporting me on this journey, I am hosting a giveaway! I will also be sending out an exclusive freebie to all of my followers on TPT at the end of the giveaway so everyone will be a winner! :) You have several options for entering below, including...

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Teacher Tuesday: classroom tour 2015

OK everyone, get ready: this post is going to be super picture-heavy and LONG. Today I'm giving you a tour of my classroom setup for the 2015-2016 school year! With 7 days of classes done, you would think I would be done setting up my room. I'm not. But I've given up on waiting until everything is done- if I do, I'm not sure it will happen before Christmas!...

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Mommy Monday: packing for air travel with young kids

This summer I got to take my 3.5-year-old girls on our first airplane trip in 3 years. If you know anything about my upbringing, then you know how insane it is that it's been that long since we traveled! Crazy. It was a relatively short trip-3 nights, 4 days- but everything is a little bit harder when you are packing for two preschoolers! Today I thought...

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