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Sunday, February 11, 2024

Orchestra Rehearsal the GAME activity

 


It's fun making interactive games using Google Slides! I just made a new one called 'Orchestra Rehearsal: The GAME.  It's designed as a retro video game because I wanted to use the idea the 'hearts' as lives in the game...just like old Super Mario and Zelda games.  Students have to beat the game by 'defeating' bad position, poor tone, and mastering tricky measures from our music.  Because this was made with google slides, it is really easy to make changes and adjust the slides to work with any music we are rehearsing.  I opted to use note names, but it would also be really easy to use the Music Snippet add-on to insert music notation.

To play the game, the teacher clicks through the slides as indicated on the screen.  The teacher judges whether the students 'lose a life' or not...and can take away lives by simply clicking on the hearts on the screen.

This is a great game to use any time...and especially Valentines because you can challenge student so not lose their hearts!

Check out a preview HERE.

Available on TPT!





Saturday, January 6, 2024

New Year Workout for Beginners

 


Here's the thing about going back to school after Christmas break....most of the students (and even many of the teachers) are sad to be back to school!  It's an adjustment to get back into a routine....practicing....homework....sitting through classes all day long.  

I'd like my first day back with my students to set a tone.  I want them to remember how much fun we have together, how we work hard to make progress, and how music is important in our lives.  Recently I was reading some articles about the impact of music education and I found this quote so interesting:


I feel a responsibility to do all I can to help my students thrive and succeed in music.

For my video of the week, I'll be showing parts of this video about a kid trains and pushes himself to achieve his goal to run 100 miles:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rfb1idsl2AE&list=PLdKxs7i55u4FZW_fqjMHDjJB9I6lNXm56&index=74

For our warm-up, I'll stick to a work-out theme to help students get back into shape for the New Year.  We will review some of the skills we were working on before break.  I want it too feel like training exercises so I'll be timing them to see if they can complete the note reading and rhythm activities quickly.   

For a limited time, you can download this activity for free!  Visit my TPT STORE for your download.







After the warm-up, we'll have fun learning/review exercises from the method book and concert music.  I'll using my new GIANT sized UNO game to keep students engaged.  The numbers on the cards determine how many reps students need to play.  I'll be carefully selecting the measures and rehearsal excerpts so students are practicing exactly what I need them to accomplish.





Wednesday, December 13, 2023

The coolest thing I've ever done at a concert

 


I believe concerts should be engaging, entertaining, with the highest possible caliber of playing...even for beginners.  I had my holiday concert a couple of days ago and we did one of the coolest things ever.  I needed to fill an entire concert with just my beginners because my audiences get too large to fit when I try to combine all my students into one concert.  All of their pieces were quite short, and I wanted to add some length (and some fun) to the program.

I found a play along video on YouTube for 'Let it Snow' and created very simple sheet music so my students could play along:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEr8XCf68P4


I used some money from my school budget to purchase mini flashlights - one for each of my students, and a whole bunch of snowflake holiday specs.  If you've never experienced Christmas lights through a pair of holiday specs, you have to check it out!  Super cool and fun. They turn every beam of light into a shape.  Because we were performing 'Let it Snow,' I chose to purchase only the snowflake shape.

To perform the piece (students memorized it), all the lights were turned off in the auditorium.  Students waved their flashlights around in the air and the audience wore their snazzy 3D holiday specs - which turned all those little flashlight beams into snowflakes.  It was SO FUN and it looked AMAZING.





Here a short video of what it looked like when the flashlights were being waved around on stage (it looks WAY cooler through the glasses)



Here's a pic taken through the glasses when I had the audience turn on their phone lights and wave them around during a different piece in the program:




Thursday, November 16, 2023

Notereading doesn't have to be boring

 


Note reading doesn't have to be boring.  I actually enjoy helping my students master note reading because there are so many ways to practice and improve. Students get really excited when they see how much they are learning and progressing.  Here are a few of my latest note reading creations: 

click here for: CRACK THE CODE


click here for: SPEED NOTE READING




click here for: NOTE READING CHECK IN





Monday, October 30, 2023

Halloween freebie for beginning orchestra!


Here's the link:  FREE HALLOWEEN ACTIVITY


 Parts for violin, viola, and cello/bass!  Happy Halloween!


Also be sure to check out my new 'Roll A Rhythm Game!' HERE!





Sunday, September 24, 2023

Favorite Review Activity for String Orchestra Classes

 
I like to call Friday rehearsals 'Friday Fun Day!'  I want Fridays to be a celebration of all we learned during the week, but also serve as a meaningful review and reinforcement of material.  Last week one of my students said, 'It's funny you call Fridays 'Friday fun day' because every day is fun!'  Learning an instrument is fun...that means the pressure is off!  No need to spend hours and hours planning intricate games.

I've found my favorite Friday Fun Day is a review day using Ninja Belts as my theme.  Many music teachers use karate belts as a way for students to pass off tunes and achieve a certain level of playing.  When I taught small elementary string classes, I used the belt system and tied yarn on the scrolls of instruments and all of that.  While I feel it can be a good way to motivate students to practice certain exercises, the karate belt system can be leveraged in other ways.  I use karate belts as a review tool and self-assessment tool.  I adjust and change the belts as students progress. I don't give out any physical object - no real belts.  There's nothing I have to track or pass-off.  Students help each other and work hard just to achieve 'black belt' status. 

Here's how I do it...

I begin class with a short video showing some awesome ninja skills or a clip from 'America's Ninja Warrior' showing how people train and work to pass the 'obstacles' in the course.  Then I tell them we're going to see if students can pass each 'obstacle' in our training ground.

I made slides with each skill I want students to review.  Each slide contains a belt color and we rehearse from the simplest skill to the most advanced.  We rehearse some slides as a class...and some slides students practice themselves for a minute or so (all at once). Sometimes I give students a worksheet where they can track either progress as we rehearse/review the skills on each slide.  Sometimes students assess themselves and let me know with a simple thumb scale or finger scale how they are doing.  Other times I have stand partners assess each other and provide feedback.

Students learned how to switch from pizz to arco while holding the bow.


Each violin/viola student got a straw to put in the f-holes to use as a guide to keep the bow straight. Cello/Bass students practiced bowing in paint roller tubes on their instruments. After that, we all played the open strings with straighter bows.


We played 'Pandemic' with creepy music.  All students freeze in play position, but we decide on one thing they do incorrectly. A small group of 'doctors' walk through to try to find out what ailment is happening with left hands.


Pizz up and down the strings with great left hand placement (practiced in previous belt).


I called out any note in the D scale and students had to place the correct finger and pluck 4 times.


We played the finger twisters as a class...trying not to make a mistake.


I had to skip this one because of time..but will do it next time.


Concert music....review


Twinkle using pepperoni pizza rhythm - students are getting better and better!


I didn't give a written tracker/assessment to students this week...but here's the one I gave them last time we did a Ninja Belt review activity.

I've done this type of review twice this school year...and both time my students were engaged, focused, working HARD, and thriving.  It's easy to prep...helps rehearsals stay relevant and meaningful...and it's fun!  When students notice and understand how much they are progressing, they have fun and they are motivated to keep working.

Monday, September 18, 2023

Copy Cat Concerto - free music for very beginning string orchestra first concert


 Have you ever stared at your music library, trying to find something for your beginners to perform at their very first concert, and discovered all of your ensemble music is too hard?  I have a pretty good sized music library with lots of great beginner pieces, but none seems to be quite easy enough for my very near concert. I'm expecting students will just barely be reading notes on the D string.  We have had time for only very basic rhythms.  I needed a concert piece that will be fast to put together and simple to learn.

So, I wrote one:  Copy Cat Concerto!  It has LARGE print and notes in the note heads to help beginners learn it quickly.  I designed this piece to be a bit like 'call and response.'  The great thing about it is you can feature many different students as 'soloists.'  I plan on choosing a different student for each 2-measure solo.  That way many students will be featured as they stand up to play and the entire group plays after.  To add variety/fun, you could add repeats throughout the solo sections and allow soloists to play with different styles, volumes, and articulations for the group to follow.  In the middle, you could add an audience participation portion where a student leads them in call and response through various rhythms. You can be creative!

For a limited time, you can have the score and parts for free at my TPT site!  




Friday, August 11, 2023

Instrument Care Online Quiz

 


I went back to school this week and have been busy getting ready for students to come back next week. Before I begin handing out school instruments to my students, I want to make sure they understand how to properly care for them.  I made a video I will be sending to parents to watch with their students about how to care for large instruments at home.  I'll also have students do this online instrument care quiz.  If you would like to to use it, go ahead!  It's free!


Please check out my many popular orchestra classroom resources at

https://www.orchestraclassroom.com/store.php    and 


https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Orchestra-Classroom

Thursday, August 3, 2023

Note Reading for beginning orchestra

I am big on teaching note reading and I have students do a TON of worksheets, games, and assessments to make sure they are fluent at rhythm/notes.  I use a variety of worksheets so they're not the same old boring style all the time.  My students don't complain about practicing note reading. It can be fun! 

This new crossword activity is available HERE.


 

Also, check out my new note reading compilation of creative worksheets and assessments!  This is exactly what I use for my beginners through the first year...along with 'Be An Amazing Note Reader' (which we complete quite early on).




Saturday, July 8, 2023

Progress and practice tracker


 One thing I want to do better is help students develop a practice plan by teaching them what and how to practice.  Also, I believe it is important to teach students how to be reflective as they practice to achieve specific learning targets.

Earlier this week, I discovered it was possible to create drop-down menus in google sheets and in tables in google docs.  I think it's so cool!  There are many ways to used the drop-down menu feature in a classroom.  If I had smaller classes, I might use a google sheet or doc to track each student as they progress through various skills.  Since each of my classes have about 60 students and I am the only teacher, I have to find strategies that are efficient.  Tracking is important, but so hard to do because of how much time it can take!  To make this manageable, I need students to take on the ownership of tracking their skills and practice time.  

At the beginning of the year there isn't always much for beginners to practice at home, yet they are so excited to start!  I need to be better about making practice expectations clear and teaching students what and how they should practice at home.  (I don't grade on practicing...but that's a whole different article).  I believe this Student Progress Tracker will help me communicate with students/parents what needs to be practiced and mastered each week.  

I listed 'I CAN' statements for the week at the top and used drop-down menus for students to assess their current skill level in each area. That way students will have an idea of what needs their attention during practice time.  

I've always wanted to give my beginners a practice routine outline...it goes really well on this tracker.  I think it will really help beginners establish better practicing habits from the start of the year.  I also provided links to resources to help students practice specific skills.  That way students will have resources to help them learn outside of class.

At the bottom of the tracker, students reflect and makes practice goals and can type a note to me if they need help or have questions.  This will be a good way to me to 'check-in' with more students as they are working through the learning process.

Free Template HERE

At my school, we use Canvas for our LMS.  I will create an assignment where each student gets their own copy of the tracker in their google drive.  Students can access their document and update it throughout the week.  Rehearsal time is valuable so I have to be careful with chromebooks because of the amount of time it takes for all students to log on.  I am thinking of giving time 2x per week in class for students to access, review, and update their trackers:  Mondays and Fridays.  Each week there will be a new tracker for them to follow along for practicing at home and reflecting on their goals.

I was toying with the idea of using drop-down menus for playing test assessments, but I've decided it would take WAY too much time to review and grade individual digital files for 340 students.  I found way I can assess students efficiently that will also be quick and easy to grade.  Stay tuned...I'll post about to quickly and efficiently assess students more often.


Saturday, July 1, 2023

Creative Strings: Beginning Fiddle Bowing - a collaboration with Christian Howes to teach beginners fiddle bowing and improv

 



A couple of months ago, jazz violinist and educator Christian Howes spent a day working with all of my students. I admit I was a bit nervous to have him come. Would my beginners be 'good' enough to do what he asked? Was he going to think there were skills I should have taught better? Would my students enjoy a new way to think about and play music?


I didn't need to worry. Christian was immensely knowledgeable and professional in how he selected activities that were engaging, relevant, and appropriate to the skill level of my students. He was encouraging and supportive as my students experimented with his methods for improv, feeling the beat, making musical choices, and exploring sound. After his visit, I knew my teaching would never be the same.


Traditionally, beginners are taught a somewhat rigid curriculum, focusing solely on technique and music literacy. While these elements are essential, it is equally important to recognize that even our youngest musicians possess an innate sense of curiosity and creativity, waiting to be unleashed. I've always felt my lesson plans were creating and engaging, but I realized there was more I could do to help my students begin to CREATE. By embracing their inherent creativity early on, we can nurture their confidence, problem-solving abilities, and overall connection to the music.


Allowing students to explore their own musical ideas from the outset is a vital step towards their growth as musicians. Nurturing a safe and supportive environment gives students the freedom to make choices about what notes and rhythms to play. This approach not only empowers them but also instills a sense pride in their musical achievements.


I believe beginner string students must be encouraged to delve into improvisation and creative exploration from the start to express their creativity, but also as a means of developing their technical skills. For example, by playing with a steady beat in a groove, they cultivate a sense of rhythmic accuracy, internalizing the fundamental pulse of the music. This foundation not only enhances their overall musicianship but also strengthens their ability to communicate and collaborate with other musicians in ensemble settings.  And most importantly, it is FUN!  My experience with playing/teaching improv and eclectic style is limited. After Christian Howes came to visit, I knew I HAD to teach these things...but I wasn't sure where to start.


So here's the big news. I recently collaborated with Christian Howes to develop a resource for beginning orchestra classroom to help students learn fiddle bowing in a way that allows for exploration and creativity. I can no longer just pass out a piece of music and go about rehearsing note after note and rhythm after rhythm. I want my students to be making choices and exploring the sound on their instruments. I want them thinking about how they want the music to sound.



CREATIVE STRINGS: BEGINNING FIDDLE BOWING features 7 detailed lesson plans with videos by Christian Howes to help teach students bowing simple fiddle rhythms, playing in a groove, maintaining a steady beat, improv using various fiddle rhythms, and turning Hot Cross Buns into a fiddle tune.



Lessons have custom resources included, such as worksheets and slides to drill rhythms and master each skill.


This resource can be used in 3 ways:


1. Teacher training on how to teach fiddle bowing and improv to young students. Teachers can watch the videos and use the skills and printable resources to help their students learn 'Hot Cross Buns' - fiddle style.


2. Use as an in-class resource. Students can watch the videos on each slide and play along and teachers follow the suggested lesson plans.


3. Asynchronous learning. Teachers can send all or parts of the slides to students via a LMS to practice with at home.



I'm so excited to offer this course to all beginning orchestra teachers and anyone who wants to start implementing creativity and improv in their classrooms. For a limited time, anyone who purchases Creative Strings: Beginning Fiddle Bowing will also receive a free BONUS resource: Creative Twinkles. This is a fun series of videos and worksheets for students to explore and create Twinkle Variations.



This set of CREATIVE resources is only available HERE at www.orchestraclassroom.com. Hop over and get yours and enjoy exploring music with your students.