Differentiating Classroom Instruction

Stuck in a rut with your classroom instruction? Are some things "just not working" and need to be changed but you aren't sure how? Find answers and suggestions from the So, La, Mi: Elementary Music Class blog: http://solamimusiced.blogspot.com/2013/12/tips-for-differentiating-instruction-in.html

Music and Milk

Author Leila Viss offers an interesting and thought provoking comparison of music and milk. In her comparison, she also discusses our day-to-day life without music. Read all of the details here: 

http://www.musicteachershelper.com/blog/what-the-music-industry-can-learn-from-milk/

Proposed Legislation for Early Childhood Education (and the arts!)

This week's current events in the realm of US news includes the Strong Start for America's Children Act. This proposed legislation for early childhood education opportunities includes two specific mentions in the outline of the bill on the inclusion of arts and arts education. Read more details here: http://advocacy.nafme.org/blog/nafme-supports-proposed-legislation-for-early-childhood-learning/

Steady Beat Skills

Kindermusik shares four reasons why steady beat skills matters in early childhood education. The article lists specific areas outside of music that steady beat skills influence. Read all about it at: http://mindsonmusic.kindermusik.com/benefits-of-music/4-reasons-why-steady-beat-skills-matter-in-early-childhood-education/

Music and Brain Development

Music has many benefits and current research from Beijing, China sheds light on how music can influence the development of the cortex Students who started musical lessons before the age of seven had a thicker brain cortex to those students that began music lessons after the age of seven. Read all the details here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/14/music-lessons-brain-child-physical-changes_n_4260917.html?ir=Healthy+Living

Organization and Other Details

If you need some help with organization of daily lesson materials, having an fool-proof method for students to find a partner, or filing your music activities check out this link on Mrs. Miracle's Music Room blog. She shares three ideas that she's borrowed from other teachers that help her classroom run more efficiently. Check it out at: http://www.mrsmiraclesmusicroom.com/2013/11/new-ideas.html

Autumn Rhythmic Identification

Young growing minds need constant reinforcement of new musical concepts. Here's a fun way to reinforce the rhythmic syllables of ta & ti-ti with a hands-on seasonal autumn focus: http://www.mrsmiraclesmusicroom.com/2013/11/autumn-manipulatives.html