Mommy Monday: Christmas activities bucket list with preschoolers

Last week I shared my top tip for handling the holiday season: plan ahead for lots of little things to get you in the holiday spirit and spend time with your family without getting stressed and overwhelmed. I am going to be using my DIY advent calendar again that I made last year to put pieces of paper in showing the day's little activity. Today I...

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Fermata Friday: November 27, 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: handling the holidays

Yesterday I shared my top tips for enjoying the holiday season (and not getting stressed) at home with your family and children (you can check out that post here). But music teachers face just as much (if not more) stress over holiday events at work, between caroling, concerts, and everything else we are expected to do (and oh yeah, teach)! Today I...

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Mommy Monday: handling the holidays

The holiday season is officially upon us. The thought can strike both dread and joy in every parent's heart! It is a vicious cycle: we want to make sure we savor the special moments, especially with our young children, but in order to fully accomplish that we have quite the list of things we want to do, which makes us so busy that we can't enjoy them...

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Fermata Friday: November 20, 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: the phrase I want to stop using in my classroom

Last week one of my daughters came home from preschool repeating a phrase she had learned from her teacher. It is one that I use quite often in my own teaching, but when I heard it come out of my 3-year-old's mouth (with the R's sounding like W's and the cute, high-pitched tone), it gave me pause. The phrase? "Worry about yourself". I think it...

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Mommy Monday: my favorite planner supplies

It's about that time of year when everyone starts thinking about calendars and planners for the new year. It's enough to make this planner girl squeal with excitement! I've been in love with my planner for several years now, but only started decorating it (somewhat) this school year. I've finally gotten to the point where I am happy with the way my...

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Fermata Friday: November 13, 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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November Small Goals

I'm a little late, but today I'm linking up with Jennifer from The Yellow Brick Road to share my small goals for October. Check out the linky, by clicking on the image below, to see all of the other bloggers who have shared their goals for the month- you may even be inspired to set some goals of your own! ;) First a look back at my...

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Teacher Tuesday: time fillers for elementary music

The other day we had a pre-planned fire drill. The teachers knew it was coming but the students did not. Since it was scheduled to happen 15 minutes before the end of my 4th grade class, I rushed through the last activity and made sure the instruments were all cleaned up in time for the drill. Then nothing happened. For about 7 minutes. Woops. We...

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Mommy Monday: DIY calendar as a family scrapbook

I am so excited about my latest project: a DIY calendar as a family scrapbook! I am excited to use it with my family this year and I am seriously thinking about giving one to friends and family as well- it would make a great Christmas gift! This is such a simple, cheap, and fun way to keep photos and note dates for things that happen throughout...

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Fermata Friday: November 6, 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: solfege stickers

Today I have a simple 20-minute DIY project that costs very little money but makes written composition assignments a little more fun and a little bit easier for students to grasp: solfege stickers! I am using them with my 5th grade students this week and so far it has been a hit. It's no secret that I believe very strongly in the importance of...

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Mommy Monday: magnetic calendar for preschoolers DIY

My girls started preschool in September, and they have been loving it! One of the big changes I have seen is that they are more aware of approaching holidays and other events now. In the past, I never talked to them about anything more than a week in advance (except during Advent), and usually no more than a day in advance, to avoid the constant questions...

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Plan With Me Sundays: November 2015

Can you believe it's November already? Time for another Plan With Me Sundays post! :) I have been continuing with my weekly decorating and it has absolutely transformed my motivation to sit down and plan out my lessons for the week. I look forward to my "planner time" every week and, although I didn't think it was possible, I am even more in love...

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