Keeping Kids Engaged Musically Over the Summer

I came up with this fun bingo card for my students to take home.  I was trying to think of new ways to keep them musically engaged over the summer.

The bingo card has 4x4 activities.  Students who complete four activities across, diagonally, or down will earn a prize from me at the beginning of next school year.  Parents have to sign off on completion and some evidence of activities is requested.

Optional activities on the chart include creating a musical family tree, attending a free public concert, writing out the rhythms of the flavors at the ice cream shop, and more.

Print, send home with your students, and wait to see what exciting experiences they share with you from their summer.

Download today at my Teachers Pay Teachers Store.

Mustache BAGF#ED Stations

This last set of recorder stations was a big hit with my kids.  I told them ahead of time the next round was mustache themed, and half of one homeroom showed up to class wearing fake mustaches.  Gotta love these funny kids!

Included is:
Masquerade Melodies: Mustaches that are to be cut out and attached to popsickle sticks. Students then hold up melodic patterns for their group members to play, taking turns being the mustache selector. A fingering chart is included to support students as they practice patterns.

Mustache Melodies: Using the name and picture of several famous mustache types, students compose a melody for each mustache rhythm, using BAGF#ED. They then practice performing and share their melodies.

I Mustache You:Students play their song for their partner, who gives them honest feedback (Praise and or constructive criticism).

 I would dare to say that this is my students' favorite set of recorder stations to date.  It is the end of the year when keeping attention gets more challenging.  This set did the trick!

Available today for download at my Teachers Pay Teachers store.

Puppet Pals App

My 6th grade students have been loving the new app we've been using, Puppet Pals.  After completing a unit on opera, the students are writing and performing one minute operas in the app.  Finished products to follow but check out this cool app.  We bought the director's cut, which provides more scenery and character options.  It is well worth the funding.  The possibilities for this app are endless!

Jelly Band App

I recently found another app I love to use with my kids.  This app is called Jelly Band and is great for teaching arranging and layering of ostinati.  I have used this app with my part time learning support classes who have been immediately successful with it, as well as with my older students.  They enjoy arranging and recording their own songs.  So fun, so easy, and a quick way to teach arranging!  I'd give it four stars!   PLUS IT'S FREEEEE!