The Elementary Music Teacher Podcast: Music Education

Teaching music and trying to connect with your students virtually can be tricky and weird.  You want to still see them and hear them make music.  Of course you do!  All of a sudden you've had to figure out this new world of teaching music online and it can be so hard.  In this episode, we're going to talk about ways you can connect with your students while teaching virtually.  It's not going to look the same as it did in person, but you can still connect, interact with them, and show them you care.  You're just going to need to realize that although it will look different, keep in mind that you still showing up any way you know how to matters so much. Register for the upcoming FREE 5 day "Start the School Year Off Right" challenge here Mentioned in this episode are: Episode 101- Preparing for any teaching situation next school year Episode 61- How to build relationships with your students as the music teacher Episode 86- 5 practical ways to implement SEL in the music room with Paige Bell Narwhals and Waterfalls YouTube channel I'd love for you to leave a rating and a review of the podcast on I-tunes, be sure to share the podcast with any music teacher friends who would find it helpful and be sure to tag me on Instagram or Facebook.

Let's be honest.  Teaching during COVID-19 has been overwhelming.  Now that school is wrapping up, thinking about what your teaching might look like in the fall might be causing even more stress.  In this episode, I want to go through the various teaching situations you might face next school year and how to make a plan to have success.   Join the FREE 5 day "Start the School Year Off Right" challenge here The different situations discussed in this episode include: 1. Teaching like you normally would 2. Teaching on a cart in the general teacher's classrooms 3. Continuing to teach virtually 4. Teaching only half of each class at a time 5. Sending home paper packets I'd love for you to leave a rating and a review of the podcast on I-tunes, be sure to share the podcast with any music teacher friends who would find it helpful and be sure to tag me on Instagram or Facebook.

This episode is all about integrating music and social studies. There are so many ways to integrate social studies and history with music, and the ideas discussed in this episode include: Teaching songs from other cultures and countries Doing a 50 states rap or song Rap about the presidents Doing songs about various wars and world leaders Resources mentioned in this episode include: Join the FREE 5 day "Start the School Year Off Right" challenge here "How to Integrate Music and Social Studies" blog post Free 5 day music integration e-course  I'd love for you to leave a rating and a review of the podcast on I-tunes, be sure to share the podcast with any music teacher friends who would find it helpful and be sure to tag me on Instagram or Facebook.

In this episode, Dr. Ruybalid talks about why early childhood music education is so important.   You'll hear why starting kiddos from such a young age not just learning, but experiencing music will help carry them into elementary school and then adulthood and how to implement music learning for the youngest of students.  If you're going to be asked to teach preschool music at some point, or this is something you've wanted to learn more about, this episode is definitely for you.  Dr. Michael Ruybalid is the Music Education Specialist at the University of Montana. He teaches courses in undergraduate and graduate music education and supervises student teachers in their general music placements. Dr. Ruybalid earned his PhD in music education from the University of Oklahoma, and currently holds Kodály certification (Levels 1-3), Orff-Schulwerk certification (Levels 1-3 and a Master Class) and Elementary Level 1 certification in Dr. Edwin Gordon's Music Learning Theory. He previously taught music education coursework at the University of Maryland and Southeastern Louisiana University. Prior to entering higher education, Dr. Ruybalid taught PreK-12th grade music for eight years in both private and public schools in the San Francisco Bay Area. Dr. Ruybalid has presented pedagogical and research sessions for local, national, and international audiences, including several conference sessions on early childhood music. You can connect with Dr. Ruybalid here and can check out the "Everyday Musicality" podcast he referred to here.  I'd love for you to leave a rating and a review of the podcast on I-tunes, be sure to share the podcast with any music teacher friends who would find it helpful and be sure to tag me on Instagram or Facebook.

This episode is all about integrating music and science. There are so many ways to make science musical, and the ideas discussed in this episode include: Science and sound Frequency and music Sing about science Make a thunderstorm Go on a nature walk Resources mentioned in this episode include: "How to Integrate Music and Science" blog post Free 5 day music integration e-course  I'd love for you to leave a rating and a review of the podcast on I-tunes, be sure to share the podcast with any music teacher friends who would find it helpful and be sure to tag me on Instagram or Facebook.

In this episode, Franklin and I discuss what we wish we had known before entering the teaching profession, cultural relevant teaching in the elementary music classroom, and the importance of music education advocacy. You'll get SO much out of this episode and so many amazing ideas, strategies, and thoughts were shared.   Some of my favorite things Franklin said in this episode are: Build community, build trust, build relationships Understand that the kids have some brilliance and knowledge that we don’t have and be ok with letting them share that with us. Understand what it is that you want to accomplish as a music educator and start with the end in mind. We can accept and realize that it’s ok to explore the music our student's enjoy, while still implementing the musical standards. Music education advocacy begins with the teacher and your views on music education. Mr. Franklin J. Willis currently serves as the Elementary Music Coach for the Metro Nashville Public Schools district. In this role he provides instructional support for elementary music teachers in creating a learning environment that fosters meaningful cultural experiences int eh performance, understanding and appreciation of music. Before this new role, Willis taught both general music and choir at the elementary and middle school levels for the past decade. He is a three time recipient of the prestigious Country Music Association Foundation Music Teacher of Excellence award. His student performance groups have been featured on national syndicated television programs such as NBC New with Lester Holt, Entertainment Tonight, and The Today Show.  He specializes in providing musical instruction that will empower and engage all children to achieve their best through authentic culturally relevant teaching experiences. He is a graduate of the University of Memphis where he earned a Bachelor's of Music Education with an emphasis in choral music. Willis also earned the Master of Education Degree in Nonprofit Leadership at Belmont University. To learn more about Franklin and his advocacy for music education visit his website at www.fwillismusic.com You can also follow Frankin on social media here: Instagram Twitter I'd love for you to leave a rating and a review of the podcast on I-tunes, be sure to share the podcast with any music teacher friends who would find it helpful and be sure to tag me on Instagram or Facebook.

This episode is all about integrating music and math.   There are so many ways to make math musical, and the ideas discussed in this episode include:  Helping kids memorize math facts by speaking them in rap form  Recognizing fractions  Addition and subtraction with note values  Creating and finishing patterns  Practicing number order  Resources mentioned in this episode include:  "How to Integrate Music and Math" blog post  Free 5 day music integration e-course  I'd love for you to leave a rating and a review of the podcast on I-tunes, be sure to share the podcast with any music teacher friends who would find it helpful and be sure to tag me on Instagram or Facebook.

Writing an eBook is something that many music educators think about doing, but just don't start for some reason.  Your reason might be because you're dealing with imposter syndrome (which we talk a lot about in this episode too), because you don't know how to get started, or the whole process just overwhelms you.   In this episode, Sarah Gulish talks all about her journey in not only being a music educator, but also with writing, publishing, and editing eBooks of her own and for so many others.  She shares so many valuable tips and has helped me even as I continue on my journey of writing my first book.   Sarah Gulish holds a Ph.D in music education from Temple University.  For over a decade, Sarah has taught secondary level music at Lower Moreland High School located in the state of Pennsylvania in the U.S.A..  She also serves as Adjunct Professor of Music Education at Buffalo State University and Temple University. Her teaching centers on creativity and improvisation in courses focused on new music learners. Sarah is an active researcher, writer, presenter, and clinician at the state, national, and international levels. She serves as the United States representative for the International Society of Music Education’s Popular Music Special Interest Group and is a past member of the National Association for Music Education’s IN-ovations Council.   She also regularly tours and records as a rock musician with a variety of groups. Her experience as a popular musician has influenced her curricula and philosophy as a music educator and is detailed in her book, Creativity in the Classroom: An Innovative Approach to Integrate Arts Education. She works to provide authentic learning and performing experiences for adolescents both in and out of the classroom. In 2019, Sarah launched F-flat Books, a music publishing company focused on practical and affordable resources for musicians and music educators. She regularly contributes to the F-flat community blog and publishes her curricula for a variety of teaching settings on that platform. Her research interests include informal learning, creativity, popular music pedagogy, and student autonomy.  You can connect with Sarah here:  On the F-flat books website here  On her F-flat Instagram page here  I'd love for you to leave a rating and a review of the podcast on I-tunes, be sure to share the podcast with any music teacher friends who would find it helpful and be sure to tag me on Instagram or Facebook.

Have you wanted to integrate music and reading, but you just don't know how?   In this episode, I'll share my favorite ways to integrate reading, which includes: Rhyming books Poetry and speech pieces Movement books  Books about composers Musical scores Story books Resources mentioned in this episode include: Resources and books I recommend "How to Integrate Music and Reading" blog post "How Poetry and Music Go Hand in Hand" blog post Free 5 day music integration e-course I'd love for you to leave a rating and a review of the podcast on I-tunes, be sure to share the podcast with any music teacher friends who would find it helpful and be sure to tag me on Instagram or Facebook.

In this episode, I'll talk about how you can and will keep teaching music, yes... even if it's online.  Just like when you were a new music teacher, you took things one day and one week at a time, until you eventually found your groove.  The same can apply for teaching remotely.  This isn't going to be easy and just something that comes  Also.. just like when you're in the classroom, don’t compare what you’re doing with your students to anyone else because your expectations put on you, your teaching style, and what your students need are all different than any other music teacher. Remember to just encourage your kids to engage in active music making- my kids enjoy just dancing, singing familiar songs, and doing movement or body percussion activities Right now is the perfect way for kids to make music with their families.  So often they’re already singing the songs you’ve done with them or teaching a music game or dance they’ve learned, so that won’t change. Nothing replaces you- yes, there are so many technology options out there and so much advice being thrown around, but nothing will replace you as a teacher. You can still communicate (even if by just posting on your class website or PTA page) different ways students can make music together and remind them how to do it. Know that parents and kids are trying to find a new routine right now.  So many parents were sent home work to do with their kids (speaking from experience here) while juggling working full time as well.  Music still matters, but there won’t be as much time to make music as you had to do with the kids at school. Let go of expectations you’ve put on yourself. I think so often we’re overachievers as music educators and that’s a good thing.  You’d rather have more planned than not enough.  Just like I talk to you about keeping it simple in your classroom and not trying to get through all the things, the same applies with teaching remotely.   You’ll see so much out there that you could do with your kiddos, but it doesn’t mean you have to or even need to.  It’s still your classroom, even if it’s virtual, so the systems and processes for teaching you have put in place is completely up to you. Take time to just breathe.  It’s ok to not teach all day every day like you’ve been used to doing.   Links mentioned in this episode include: "Learn Music with Mrs. Jessica" music lesson bundle "How To Teach Elementary Music Remotely- Ultimate Resource Round Up" "6 Ways to Make Lesson Planning Easy for Music Teachers" blog post Music Teacher COVID-19 chat replay "How to Parent and Work From Home" blog post