tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61969408113898893882024-02-21T03:34:09.439-06:00Finding Your {Singing} Voicea Kodály-inspired blogRhythmically Yourshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07447246654803784989noreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196940811389889388.post-67741353945910347482016-03-08T20:36:00.004-06:002016-03-09T16:26:20.543-06:00Clickable header: This is a test<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Rhythmically Yourshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07447246654803784989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196940811389889388.post-12629060481210528052016-02-08T15:39:00.002-06:002016-02-08T15:39:49.095-06:00TMEA 2016Are you going?<br />
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I'm not....long, boring story, but I will be making an appearance of sorts! You've got to <b>love</b> technology! Wait, that sounds sarcastic and though I'm known for a <i>bit</i> of that here and there, I'm not kidding! Of course I really do love technology! Just read more about me if you're not familiar with me yet. :)<br />
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So I am looking forward to the conference this week all the same. I will be supporting my favorite PLN members as they present on Thursday. More details coming soon if you'd like to know where to catch some great sessions!Rhythmically Yourshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07447246654803784989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196940811389889388.post-24263848896889963652016-01-01T12:56:00.004-06:002016-01-01T12:56:40.984-06:00#OneWordThe trending # on Twitter with educators right now is #oneword, as in, what is your #oneword that will shape or encourage you this year?<div>
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I've seen a lot of great ones so far.....from dream to believe to courage. It's easy to imagine what those words may invoke for someone. While I would love to use one of those inspiring words, I am going to take it back to the basics and go with something simple.</div>
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My #oneword is live.</div>
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No, I'm not talking in a physical sense.....I'm not sick or dying! Nothing like that. It's been a rough year and I've been through quite a bit in the last 12+ months......I feel like I barely made it through. I've had a lot of challenges that I'm still not over and done with, and I want 2016 to be a year where I start living and not just surviving. (And admittedly, I've been listening to waaaaaaay too much Adele. What a powerful line......if you don't know what I'm talking about, listen to her entire album NOW.) </div>
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So while I'd love to say create, inspire, dream, hope.....my #oneword is just live. Live life and enjoy and appreciate the little things. Find myself and live a life of happiness rather than what ifs. Remember why I got into education and rediscover my purpose. We all have one and mine is here screaming to get out from behind the wall of a tough year. </div>
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Happy 2016, everyone. </div>
Rhythmically Yourshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07447246654803784989noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196940811389889388.post-31563820513622503162015-12-13T15:36:00.001-06:002015-12-13T15:36:02.025-06:00In this music classroom....I think we've all seen the popular printables about "In this classroom..." stating the expectations of the classroom or characteristics of the students. I changed it up a little bit, played around a bit in Photoshop and came up with this one:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAwiRenV3vLiMD4agJ8w3rY_KFso2wHob6oEAyA_wShyE0Z7_dk48tI6hsC7aNRCYjkHLH7LSjXEYsmKYj3dHGIvmquH4CIk8NCvmfwUyxQ64yRMiMRs0jsr40HmVtCGBNmu86neKHfRpB/s1600/In+this+music+room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAwiRenV3vLiMD4agJ8w3rY_KFso2wHob6oEAyA_wShyE0Z7_dk48tI6hsC7aNRCYjkHLH7LSjXEYsmKYj3dHGIvmquH4CIk8NCvmfwUyxQ64yRMiMRs0jsr40HmVtCGBNmu86neKHfRpB/s640/In+this+music+room.jpg" width="494" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/1u3bhyrj9f6fzr3/In%20this%20music%20room.jpg?dl=0" target="_blank">Click here to download a full size copy.</a></div>
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I had it in one of my favorite color combinations (aqua, red and white) and it ended up looking patriotic....so I switched the colors around. Now it's a bit Dr. Seuss? I don't know. If you like it, feel free to download and use it! If you like it but want a copy in your school colors or classroom colors, contact me on Twitter <a href="http://www.twitter.com/KellyParrish605" target="_blank">@KellyParrish605</a> or leave me a comment.</div>
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If you think there is a very important adjective that describes the music-makers in your music class, let me know! There's always room for improvement.</div>
<br />Rhythmically Yourshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07447246654803784989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196940811389889388.post-72873635169279948352015-12-08T16:14:00.000-06:002015-12-08T16:14:00.277-06:00'Tis the SeasonAround this time of year, it's Nutcracker Season! Tchaikovsky's beloved music is studied and enjoyed year after year in music rooms all over the world. In my classes, it was always concentrated on first grade. However, I have used the music with other grade levels as review and I always included some cool performances of it in my annual singalongs in the past. These two are my recent favorites:<div>
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<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/jt3oAyK_IG8/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jt3oAyK_IG8?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
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<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/QdoTdG_VNV4/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QdoTdG_VNV4?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
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As for the first video, do I need to say much about Pentatonix? I <b><i>love</i></b> them and the kids go crazy over them. They are so amazingly talented! And for the second video, it is fascinating on a musical and a scientific level! The kids really enjoy this one as well.</div>
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As for other activities students could use when studying The Nutcracker, there are SO many great things out there already! Search on Pinterest and you'll find some wonderful units. While I have not usually have the class time in the past to go into major unit, I did think that a bingo game might be fun. It gives them something to listen for and gives some motivation to pay close attention to the details. There are five different pages you can print out. Feel free to make up your own rules as far as the "bingo" goes.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just a screenshot....when you print, those annoying "you spelled these words from another language wrong" lines won't show up :)</td></tr>
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By the way, if you haven't discovered <a href="http://www.picmonkey.com/" target="_blank">Picmonkey</a> yet, it's an easy-to-use web-based graphics site. I used it to make the candy cane frame and the Nutcracker clipart. (For this reason, this is another for personal use only.) I can't guarantee that some of those didn't come from my upgraded membership, but there are a lot of fun features on the free membership of the website. And did I mention it's easy to use?</div>
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Anyway, I made most of the answer squares educational references to the story, music and ballet but a couple are easy freebie "are you listening?" squares. :) Some of them require a couple written words and they may have to turn it over to the back for a bit more room.</div>
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Enjoy!</div>
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<a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/cucurot6z5gl3em/Nutcracker%20Bingo.pptx?dl=0" target="_blank">Nutcracker Bingo - Free for personal use</a></div>
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Rhythmically Yourshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07447246654803784989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196940811389889388.post-31415568335595574522015-12-07T09:31:00.001-06:002015-12-07T14:43:44.868-06:00Snowmen in KindergartenAs I sort of thought, the weather is......pretty much back to the normal low of 40's and high of mid 60's. Did you think I would say it was snowing? If you did, I bet you've never been here. :)<br />
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But it doesn't prevent us from continuing on with the snow theme in the music room. This Kindergarten favorite is one that I actually learned from my son about 6 years ago! Talk about the true oral tradition living on.....he learned it in his preschool class for their winter performance and came home excited to tell it to me. I hadn't actually heard it before and it was just too cute! (Anything from a 4 year-old is though!! Well, <i>almost</i> anything.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEharF0aKW_W5IyatGThMZjwmmW8kivNq5V_q1lGGtihajbpPMlxEiC26TclqQsso4UY10CWVcQl5VGu6SkuIFW7zcX7vwTMmk5YQOKkYPKKzpER5qEATO-Kyk_NxAeGc2bTd3RZNNKp6jdl/s1600/Slide01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEharF0aKW_W5IyatGThMZjwmmW8kivNq5V_q1lGGtihajbpPMlxEiC26TclqQsso4UY10CWVcQl5VGu6SkuIFW7zcX7vwTMmk5YQOKkYPKKzpER5qEATO-Kyk_NxAeGc2bTd3RZNNKp6jdl/s400/Slide01.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I made this as a picture book (before I got my projector), we act it out, I have made masks (<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/256079265/snowmen-masks">which I sell in my Etsy store</a>), we do it as just the fingerplay.....whatever feels right. I did add one thing that makes it a great vocal practice for Kinder especially.....after each snowman melts, we say "OOOOoooooooo" in a high-low sliding voice and we "melt" down to the ground (or use our hands if we are seated) to reinforce high to low. That gives us a moment to pause and think about how many are left and they are usually very eager to tell you how many the answer. (I always play innocent, though there are some days I truly can't remember which one we left off on......) </div>
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The Powerpoint is animated to melt each snowman if you're not too click-happy and I've checked it a million times.....hopefully everything saved properly.</div>
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<a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/cr0gc0934jxnrlf/Five%20Little%20Snowmen.ppt?dl=0" target="_blank">Five Little Snowmen PowerPoint Show</a></div>
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I was hoping to add in one more thing that I <a href="http://kellyparrish605.blogspot.com/2014/12/freebies-vocal-warmups.html">shared around this time last year</a>, but the website is changing up. I found the book <i>Snowmen at Night</i> on a great online website called "We Give Books" but it does not seem to the there anymore. So instead, here's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Snowmen-Night-Storytown-Library-Grade/dp/0153524855">a link to it on Amazon</a> and what the cover looks like:</div>
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<a href="http://littlesproutspeech.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/IMG_2881.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://littlesproutspeech.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/IMG_2881.jpg" height="320" width="249" /></a></div>
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This book is great for movement! These crazy snowmen go on an adventure all over town, sliding and gliding around.....perfect for the kids imitate. It's a delightful story. And I can't leave this post without mentioning Frosty! I love <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/p/frosty-the-snowman-jack-rollins/1100758377/2690366559182?st=PLA&sid=BNB_DRS_Marketplace+Shopping+greatbookprices_00000000&2sid=Google_&sourceId=PLGoP24008&k_clickid=3x24008">this book version</a>:</div>
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<a href="http://www.mediamikes.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/frostysnowman-300x298.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.mediamikes.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/frostysnowman-300x298.png" /></a></div>
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What are your favorite snowman activities in the music room? What can you think of for the older grade levels?</div>
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<br />Rhythmically Yourshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07447246654803784989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196940811389889388.post-46247318799355270602015-12-06T11:46:00.001-06:002015-12-07T07:50:27.507-06:00Snail, snail....I mean, Snowflake snowflake!As you can see, I'm trying to make up for all the blogging that I <i>haven't</i> done over the last few months and I'm on a roll! This is a perfect activity for these winter months and it's a familiar melody to the little ones.<br />
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I learned Snowflake, Snowflake a long time ago and I'm trying to remember who taught it to me! I'm going to have to ask a few friends from my Kodály levels if they remember learning this song from one of our teachers or if I learned it from a colleague. I will update if I get some answers. (I did Level I in 2001 where I probably would have learned this song, so my memory is fuzzy. I don't have a master copy either so it must have just been one of those songs learned in a lesson. Maybe someone made it up. Again, I'll have to ask around!)<br />
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The lyrics and solfa are on the slides in the activity, but basically, it's the same melody and rhythm as Snail, Snail with these words:<br />
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It's simple, but fun and catchy and the kids <i>love</i> this one! We play a movement game of sorts where we float and drift around like lovely, gentle snowflakes....at the end, of course, we freeze! The most frozen snowflake gets to come to the front and choose the next frozen snowflake and then go back into the game. There's no elimination....it's just fun movement and singing. We don't usually sing it very fast....maybe that's because I'm used to soft, gentle snowfall here in Texas. :) Though I will admit, if I feel like a particular class can handle it, we will have a blizzard in the forecast and sing faster for a different tempo practice. Usually the blizzard passes over pretty quickly though.</div>
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If you have a projector but not a SmartBoard, this one is especially for you. I chose PowerPoint for this activity because of the animations and action settings that I needed to use....Google Slides just doesn't have the options I needed. I have basically set it up to give an assessment for reading la, so and mi on the staff and it won't advance until they get the answer (out of three options) correct.<br />
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So head over to the link below and download it! I put the activity directions and leading questions in the slide notes at the bottom. If you read over those and then press Play to practice it, I think it'll be pretty clear. I don't write all directions directly on my slides because I don't want to just read from the screen. :)</div>
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<a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/8wij99vhnpdldqp/Snowflake%20Snowflake.pptx?dl=0" target="_blank">Snowflake, Snowflake Activity Link</a></div>
Rhythmically Yourshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07447246654803784989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196940811389889388.post-90379454837458987552015-12-05T15:55:00.000-06:002015-12-06T15:56:59.478-06:00Unsplash!Have you heard of <a href="http://www.unsplash.com/" target="_blank">Unsplash</a>? If you haven't.....you're welcome! :) Seriously though, it's a great collection of beautiful, high-resolution photographs. As the front page says, they are<i> <a href="https://unsplash.com/license" target="_blank">FREE to do whatever you want</a>. </i>You really don't find those words on a website very often, if ever!<br />
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I love this website so much because kids need real-life experiences and real-life references as much as possible. For example, have you noticed how many train songs we sing? I realized a few years ago that the only train that a lot of my kindergarteners knew about was Thomas the Tank engine or the Little Engine that Could! Cartoon trains that talk! I always had to pull up a video of a real train well before before playing <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjL4--U0MXJAhXCbSYKHT6tC2UQyCkIHjAA&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D8mZSm1TfQHM&usg=AFQjCNEv1TwKgFGjjmQhYrQ0-FqO4LFw-w&sig2=R5Y0phsHo0brbtJBzI33LQ&bvm=bv.108538919,d.eWE" target="_blank">The Little Train of the Caipira</a> as a listening example. Otherwise, they had no idea what they were supposed to be hearing. Some of the toys and cartoons out there do a good job with using the real sound effects, but there's nothing like seeing a real train and hearing the sounds it makes all at the same time.<br />
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I like to use real photographs whenever possible for this very reason. While browsing Unsplash today, I finally completed a project I've wanted to do for awhile! This picture inspired me:<br />
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I know it won't make sense, but the project is for Rocky Mountain....<br />
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<a href="https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1vX-ARqEqi9396mHRJUVzrsAAOFk-GFCw90uCdShh4Ho/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">Click here for a link to a set of Google slides with the lyrics and some staff work for the refrain. Feel free to copy the link to your Google Drive and leave me some comments about it! </a><br />
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The whole song is great for preparing/practicing the pentatone and half note. So we work on the beat, the rhythm, the solfa, anything and everything.....seriously, this song is always a hit.<br />
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By the time we are really getting into this song, the students are also talking about landforms in their classrooms. They get so excited that they can tell me what a mountain, valley and ocean is in formal terms! A retired friend of mine (and brilliant teacher!), Caroline, taught me some really fun movements and an additional verse:<br />
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Tiny island, tiny island, tiny island small</div>
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When you're on that tiny island, there's no shopping mall.</div>
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Does that picture make sense now? I usually confess that I'm pretty sure the island verse doesn't belong to the original folk song.....and that we should write some more. With older kids, you could even have them type their verse into their own Google Slide and collaborate together. And with a search function on Unsplash, you might even help them find a picture to add in to the verse. (I wouldn't necessarily suggest letting the kids go through the website themselves; I don't think there is anything wildly inappropriate but there are some swimsuit pictures, etc. that might not be the most appropriate for grade school.) They have always come up with some really creative verses! They really get into it.<br />
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By the way, let me know what you find on Unsplash!Rhythmically Yourshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07447246654803784989noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196940811389889388.post-44363596925598390872015-12-04T14:25:00.000-06:002015-12-04T14:25:29.606-06:00Anchor Chart #2Another day, another free anchor chart! This is a simple one outlining dynamics:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW5RHHGkRorZvXIWT6m4NRrihn7byspFTYrdnyH_beLpRJgpwErESbeeWrcI-6OaNXwHMlE8DbjbFhZi4lG0xBAU_gargIkROZ5xwo48ql0ydZseKFLXo5M5TzjnzFGcKHcUEjYG6bAr4M/s1600/Dynamics.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW5RHHGkRorZvXIWT6m4NRrihn7byspFTYrdnyH_beLpRJgpwErESbeeWrcI-6OaNXwHMlE8DbjbFhZi4lG0xBAU_gargIkROZ5xwo48ql0ydZseKFLXo5M5TzjnzFGcKHcUEjYG6bAr4M/s640/Dynamics.jpg" width="412" /></a></div>
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Again, for personal use only, please! :) <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/f8hjfb9ol29fys8/Dynamics.jpg?dl=0" target="_blank">Click here</a> if you'd like to download a large version already formatted to 11"x17" to print at your local office supply store.</div>
<br />Rhythmically Yourshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07447246654803784989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196940811389889388.post-56436257498819802702015-12-02T09:53:00.003-06:002015-12-02T09:53:57.544-06:00Anchor Chart FreebieWith larger-scale printing getting cheaper and cheaper, nice anchor charts are all the rage on Pinterest it seems! Sure, you could do the old-fashioned, authentic "write and draw your own on a flipchart" but for those of us who <i>despise</i> our own handwriting, this is a daunting task. I don't mind jotting notes on the classroom board, but if it's going to go on my wall long-term and it's in my handwriting, it's going to be typed up and printed out nicely!<br />
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I spent a lot time of gathering, admiring and borrowing ideas from here and there and finally put a few together in my own personal styles. My first priority was a chart comparing beat and rhythm. For some reason, this has always been tricky. These words seem to be blend together in a lot of kids' brains after a while. Unless the student has a solid memory for the definitions, they seem to always be looking around for the answer or how exactly to explain it.<br />
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So my version is below.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL8j1evfwO5zm2BplRUHSRZ83RsGlTVYhJ97BXijQUxqSetWYp6ps5AYDk6odnjq-zG5X7XNTDQb6WQ38CUUxRlnMSiY54CMHzbFdlcJXGq04cYbpNqWqz54jqcE9mzwxhp9pTC9OFvTvD/s1600/Beat+Rhythm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL8j1evfwO5zm2BplRUHSRZ83RsGlTVYhJ97BXijQUxqSetWYp6ps5AYDk6odnjq-zG5X7XNTDQb6WQ38CUUxRlnMSiY54CMHzbFdlcJXGq04cYbpNqWqz54jqcE9mzwxhp9pTC9OFvTvD/s640/Beat+Rhythm.jpg" width="412" /></a></div>
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If you'd like to download it and print it out yourself, <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/3rw0s8btzyzdn0x/Beat%20Rhythm.jpg?dl=0" target="_blank">click here</a>. (For personal use only, please!) This one is formatted for 11x17 printing at Staples for under $2 if I remember correctly.<br />
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Enjoy!Rhythmically Yourshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07447246654803784989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196940811389889388.post-37008512292618298562015-11-30T15:05:00.000-06:002015-11-30T15:05:08.393-06:00Rhythm Ice!Has the cold weather hit your area yet? In true Texas style, the temperature dropped to the low 40's with cold, cold rain and I broke out the heavy coats (and went to the store for my son who grew out of last season's coat).....and then it warmed back up enough for a regular jacket. As for the next week and half, who knows? It'll probably snow! Typical Texas. :)<br />
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(Is everyone in the north laughing at me that I think the low 40's is super cold? What can I say, I was raised in tropical south Texas wearing shorts nearly year-round!)<br />
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Anyway, my son and I were shopping last night and his comment ("Maybe it'll ice over and school will be cancelled!") reminded me of a favorite rhythmic activity in my classroom. During most of the year, I call them Rhythm Gems or Marbles, but in winter (and especially after the movie <i>Frozen</i> came out), they are known as Rhythm Ice:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVNfiEyJLbij4rweHEUxeD_2FCJ_SLoRIh18wRqrZrXKD59fz_w9mq5pdcEV5pqzr5b4JpniEVUi6Ql4jPB5OA2k6fVqD6r0wKi_OBYMpSf3jfrnJHBENyMEIqLCzEriZB7fXnQ4Fkr6wk/s1600/Rhythm+Gems-14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVNfiEyJLbij4rweHEUxeD_2FCJ_SLoRIh18wRqrZrXKD59fz_w9mq5pdcEV5pqzr5b4JpniEVUi6Ql4jPB5OA2k6fVqD6r0wKi_OBYMpSf3jfrnJHBENyMEIqLCzEriZB7fXnQ4Fkr6wk/s320/Rhythm+Gems-14.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I have a ton of each type organized into their own boxes and can pull out the appropriate types according to the grade and lesson. I love these little stacking boxes that you can find at your local craft store! I made the labels on my Silhouette machine.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0K1jW7xM561pKa6Ct1YoYvQMjJS0KLn30ShOyUCbqtShmeSlDjDSPNctH8FA_T7d6X7H4dmrGQ_6TIyWGIbjOaGRk8FT6yVQCQwi1RTDMfsBaXFYobA-Xlm2J92UDQijSydozu9LW8p3z/s1600/Ice-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0K1jW7xM561pKa6Ct1YoYvQMjJS0KLn30ShOyUCbqtShmeSlDjDSPNctH8FA_T7d6X7H4dmrGQ_6TIyWGIbjOaGRk8FT6yVQCQwi1RTDMfsBaXFYobA-Xlm2J92UDQijSydozu9LW8p3z/s320/Ice-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuJvhdJ2n0gD2A9Od60htrWko-Cb6LPSYh6No1RCDg9LC96NHgz_EtoE6KwgyFOIdPflhAaFtmeIXs8LUQv_xVI38atzF44JIqio4ZX8ZmB4Ffvb-6P2QCT09eJJkzmqUaaiH1LSbCa4EI/s1600/Ice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuJvhdJ2n0gD2A9Od60htrWko-Cb6LPSYh6No1RCDg9LC96NHgz_EtoE6KwgyFOIdPflhAaFtmeIXs8LUQv_xVI38atzF44JIqio4ZX8ZmB4Ffvb-6P2QCT09eJJkzmqUaaiH1LSbCa4EI/s320/Ice.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I always use them with some laminated beats in whatever meter needed for the lesson. In this <a href="http://kellyparrish605.blogspot.com/2014/02/second-grade-rhythmic-centers.html" target="_blank">previous post</a>, my students had been practicing half note (and then the student had to trade with a friend and read someone else's composition) and I've also used them whole group. Here's another example that could be used with your younger groups who have learned quarter/eighth:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqUCvUVnvSaP4SU1r884XI-KPPBFCE1DVeLGmcmju0P3GZn88XrCvMOOPjEsH4V7r4PwIX7L4sltp-CQzM4ZR5zdjoj7JvM7nXj2071ycgFrC8OUtl4UoCCcD90GuW8hSbXGBDkcpLZu29/s1600/Ice-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqUCvUVnvSaP4SU1r884XI-KPPBFCE1DVeLGmcmju0P3GZn88XrCvMOOPjEsH4V7r4PwIX7L4sltp-CQzM4ZR5zdjoj7JvM7nXj2071ycgFrC8OUtl4UoCCcD90GuW8hSbXGBDkcpLZu29/s320/Ice-3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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What's great about these is that the student clearly sees that one piece of rhythm "ice" belongs on one heartbeat when they are placing them. When you get to half note (as shown in the earlier post link), you simply show them how to put a blank rhythm ice piece as a placeholder.<br />
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If you're interested in purchasing some of these already made, visit my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/RhythmicallyYours?ref=shopsection_shophome_leftnav" target="_blank">Etsy</a> store! I have them for sale in groups by level and by individual rhythm as well. They are listed as Rhythm Gems in the store. (Laminated beats not included in purchase.)<br />
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/255724348/rhythm-gems" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Rhythm "Ice" or Gems - Individual Rhythms</span></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/258636968/rhythm-gems-beginner-set" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Beginner Set - Quarter, 8th, "Z" and Rest</span></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/258637580/rhythm-gems-intermediate-set" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Intermediate Set - Half note, 16th, synCOpa</span></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/258638004/rhythm-gems-advanced-set" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Advanced Set - 8th/16th, 16th/8th, Dotted quarter/eighth</span></a></div>
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<br />Rhythmically Yourshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07447246654803784989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196940811389889388.post-45599480970928687562015-11-15T10:38:00.000-06:002015-11-27T19:14:39.892-06:00A new chapter....I don't want to get into the boring details of it all, but these last few weeks have been a journey for me. I have discovered a lot about myself that I didn't know was there. Translation? Lots of changes personally <i>and</i> professionally.<br />
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One of those changes is that I am pursuing a dream of mine to open an Etsy store in my spare time! I know this sounds like a blatant advertisement, but really, <a href="http://rhythmicallyyours.etsy.com/" target="_blank">no pressure to visit</a>. ;) I've been told I should put my stuff on Teachers Pay Teachers, but I have never minded sharing my digital stuff for free. If I'm making it for class, it's already there....why not share it? But on the other side of things, I also love to craft and make things for the classroom, which is what my Etsy store is all about. Most of the items are for teaching in the music room, but some could just be a gift for that special musician or music teacher in your life. Some might even be of interest to a general education teacher.<br />
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Anyway, I'm excited about it and about the future. In the meantime, I love that I can use this badge!<br />
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/RhythmicallyYours?ref=offsite_badges&utm_source=sellers&utm_medium=badges&utm_campaign=en_isell_3"><img height="76" src="//img0.etsystatic.com/site-assets/badges/en/en_isell_3.png" width="640" /></a></div>
Rhythmically Yourshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07447246654803784989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196940811389889388.post-65637395181736842092015-04-23T11:00:00.000-05:002015-04-23T15:01:21.566-05:00Connecting....Part IIThis post is a thank-you to Mrs. Graham and her kindergarten class in SE Minnesota. They invited me into their classroom for a moment today to share one of my favorite song stories, <i>Down By the Station</i>. How fun is that? And I didn't have to spend a dime on airfare!<br />
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Kory is a fabulous kindergarten teacher that I recently followed on Twitter. I can remember my coworker mentioning that she read for her class earlier this year so when Kory put out a request for more guest readers, I thought it sounded like a great opportunity! She calls her group #Korytellers. (I'm so jealous she has a cool name that lends itself to a catchy hashtag!) I've been wanting to do a class Google Hangout or Skype or some kind of video-conference all year, but it gets a bit tricky arranging those. I have five groups per grade level so finding and arranging five equal hangouts for each class is not so easy. So I jumped on the chance to at least experience being a guest on the other end of things.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So sweet! I'm mentioned on the agenda!</td></tr>
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My second graders had a field trip today which left me with an open class period. We set it up and I'll admit that I was actually nervous to be on camera. But as soon as I saw those sweet little faces, it was just like being in front of my own kids! They were so adorable and ready to listen! They had wonderful manners and you could tell they were delighted to have new guests in their classroom every chance they got. I love how Kory uses technology to reach out globally and invite others to join her and her students on their educational journey. Reading a story in a kindergarten class is nothing new....but using technology to bring in exciting and diverse guests from around the world? That's what tech integration and connection is all about. Bravo, Kory! You and your #Korytellers are <i>my</i> heroes on Hero Day! Thank you again for letting me be a part of your day.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196940811389889388.post-26016221811043880042015-04-17T08:02:00.001-05:002015-04-17T11:24:19.427-05:00Connecting through TechnologyI've been thinking a lot about how technology fits into the music room, especially a Kodály classroom. There is such a rich history and tradition to the Kodály curriculum and bringing in iPads and computers doesn't automatically seem to fit into that ideal. I'm always careful to point out that my classroom is not a totally digital world...in fact, there are times when I'm teaching and it occurs to me that maybe I'm misrepresenting my claims of tech integration in the classroom because most of the time we are still "unplugged." You still find us playing a fun round of <i>Lucy Locket</i> with a cloth purse or <i>Apple Tree</i> with a wax apple from Hobby Lobby. I feel very strongly that these activities belong in a Kodály classroom and I don't see myself giving them up anytime soon.<br />
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However, I use technology in a lot of places during my day (and night) as a teacher to help strengthen my teaching in whatever way possible. Sometimes it's behind the scenes for lesson planning or file organization. (I'm not a naturally organized person, so THANK YOU, TECHNOLOGY!) I use my class iPad to make playlists for the day's listening selections....goodbye, CDs! (If you're a music teacher still messing with CDs, please ask your PTA or principal or someone in your community to help buy you an iPod or iPad of some sort!! You deserve it!) I also love having an iPad handy for those times when my kids have asked, "Ms. Parrish, what does a weevil look like?" I've just grabbed my iPad to do an image search. (This is much safer than doing one on the computer while the image is projected on the screen! And if you do this, just be sure to put your screen on blank first.) Or when that one student isn't matching pitch and they just don't hear it? I use the iPad or my iPhone in my pocket and do a quick voice record to play back to them.<br />
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As far as more <a href="http://kellyparrish605.blogspot.com/search/label/technology">planned integration</a>, it is difficult to do as much as I want because there is so little time. There has to be balance between the "old" and the new. However, one thing I've learned from technology is that, if nothing else, it allows us to form connections. In the past, I've tried our district website to try to connect with students at home but it just hasn't been very successful. This year, I opened a <a href="https://twitter.com/mccallmusic1">class Twitter</a> to share our thoughts and successes, but I also connected with the students on <a href="http://www.edmodo.com/">Edmodo</a>.<br />
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I know to many of you, this will not be a big deal at all. To me, it's <i>everything</i>. It just is.<br />
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You see, by 5th grade, many of my students start becoming very social and music class at school isn't always a priority for all....they get busy with homework, sports and other activities. Communicating with your music teacher after school doesn't exactly sound like something most kids would do, right? Not necessarily. Technology made this happen this year. And many actually <i>want </i>to do this. I actually feel bad about not keeping up with some of their conversations on Edmodo! We chatted over the snow days, over the winter break a bit and over weekends. I posted videos for fun, I posted their work from class....we've discussed our favorite music and singers. I fell behind and they would actually ask me where I went!<br />
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In class recently, I assigned them to improvise variations á la Mozart after hearing his 12 variations on "Ah Vous Dirai-je Maman" or basically, "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star." This was being done on xylophones in class. I posted the theme on Edmodo and recommended a virtual xylophone website and app just in case they wanted to practice and play around at home. I figured some might look at my post and play the <i>theme</i> once or twice, but I didn't expect to get these:<br />
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Both students took their own personal time at home to practice a variation and set up their device to record it. They uploaded it to Edmodo and shared it with me and the rest of their classmates. I was floored. I have never had this type of connection with my students before! I simply can't imagine how this would have happened in the past before devices were so readily available. I'm incredibly proud of the time they took to show their creative side and I appreciate that technology could help bring it to my attention.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UAaYpJC1tpY/VTEBRxNH5mI/AAAAAAAAAZE/tU3uQbFvCd8/s1600/Tech%2BKids%2BGraphic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UAaYpJC1tpY/VTEBRxNH5mI/AAAAAAAAAZE/tU3uQbFvCd8/s1600/Tech%2BKids%2BGraphic.jpg" height="640" width="331" /></a>So you might not be ready to bring devices into your music classroom or you might not think there is time in the curriculum. Maybe you're not sure how to integrate them. After all, we are given so little time to begin with.<br />
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But just keep in mind that using technology in the music classroom is not just about apps and tapping screens. It's about sharing, creating, collaborating and connecting. I always think of the graphic to the right.<br />
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They have these devices already. Use them to your advantage and make a positive connection with them. Allow them (maybe even <i>challenge</i> them!) to create and find inspiration and capture those moments with their devices or with your devices (if you have them). They have so much to share and our short class time is just not enough!!</div>
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<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196940811389889388.post-85661491326854943242015-04-14T21:32:00.001-05:002015-04-14T21:34:58.327-05:00Personal FailuresThis is a bit personal for me, so here goes nothing....<br />
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But first, a reason why this blog post came to mind. Tonight, I went to a beautiful choir concert given by our district's 5th grade auditioned honor choir. I have three very talented students in the group this year and due to a crazy personal schedule, I had missed the previous concerts. I'm so glad I made it tonight because it was lovely! I am always impressed by the teachers who put in the extra hours to work with these students. Thank you to Virginia, Christie, Corey and Robyn for all your hard work!<br />
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One of the songs they sang tonight brought back a lot of memories for me. The children sang John Rutter's arrangement of <i>For the Beauty of the Earth</i>. When I was in the 7th grade (which was the first year of middle school in my home district), this piece (along with another called <i>Jubilate Deo </i>- sorry, I don't remember the arrangement because I know there are a million out there) was an audition piece for our All-District choir competition. Being so passionate for music, I signed up to audition. Looking back, I'm quite surprised I did this, because I've always been terrified to sing by myself! But I did, maybe because I loved the audition music so much!<br />
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Long story short, I practiced at all the rehearsals, learned my part (Soprano I back then), practiced with my tape (yes, <i>tape</i>) and headed out on the bus early on a Saturday with all my friends. I was definitely nervous, but I remember making it through, not missing my entrance, and not messing up.<br />
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But, after many years of great scores at piano festivals, concerts and such.....my first choir audition was not as successful. Most of my friend's names were posted or called -- I can't remember how they announced it -- but not me. Truthfully, I was devastated. I didn't feel like I was robbed or scored unfairly....it was just my first major fail in music. (Certainly not my last though....)<br />
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When my 5th graders told me they were singing <i>For the Beauty of the Earth</i> at this concert, I shared this story with them. Yes, I failed at a singing audition when I was a kid, but I went back to choir that next Monday and sang more and went back the next year and the next and the next. Now I'm a music teacher encouraging my students not to give up either. I wanted them to see that one failure doesn't have to define us. This is something I'm struggling with currently (on other levels), so perhaps I'm trying to convince myself in the meantime. (Why is it so hard to follow our own words?)<br />
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I love that music can bring back memories and transport us back in time. It may sound like painful memories, but in the end, failing at that audition was just part of the journey to where I am now.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196940811389889388.post-64522401778556387392015-04-01T11:22:00.000-05:002015-04-01T14:55:01.670-05:00One Lovely Blog AwardWow! I have been away for a long time so I definitely don't deserve this recognition! A special thanks to my sweet friend and colleague Melanie of <a href="http://kodalymusicteacher.blogspot.com/">Confessions of a Kodaly Music Teacher</a> for the nomination of One Lovely Blog Award! I'm flattered that she follows my blog.<br />
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I'm still fairly new to this blogging thing and definitely haven't been exposed to any awards, link parties, etc. so let's see if I do this right! I think I'm supposed to give some rules for this award:<br />
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<li>Thank and link back to the awesome person who nominated you.</li>
<li>Share seven things about yourself.</li>
<li>Nominate 15 other bloggers and comment on their blogs to let them know.</li>
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Number one, check! Thanks again, Melanie! You are the best!</div>
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Now, for seven things about myself...</div>
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<ul>
<li>I have an almost 10 year old son who knows 36 (or more?) digits of Pi. He's obsessed and I love him!</li>
<li>I have a phobia of reptiles in general, but I am now the proud "mommy" of a spoiled bearded dragon named Waffle. He's like my second baby.</li>
<li>I love to craft in my spare time and would rather DIY than buy.</li>
<li>I love the imagery of birds....the fact that they sing, fly....my classroom is decorated in birds.</li>
<li>My iPad Mini and I are pretty much attached at the hip. I can't remember life before it.</li>
<li>I have a hard time passing up good deals on washi tape and yet I hardly ever use it because it looks pretty on display in my craft room. Same thing with fabric. I love how pretty fabrics look on my shelf so I have a hard time actually using it for projects.</li>
<li>I was terrified to sing by myself in school (all the way up until I began teaching, actually) and once broke out into hives singing with my ensemble at a required high school competition. I empathize with my shy students while trying very hard to normalize solo singing in my classroom! (Oh, and you still won't catch me doing karaoke.)</li>
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Now to nominate 15 other bloggers! I didn't actually know 15 music people with blogs (until <a href="http://kodalymusicteacher.blogspot.com/2015/03/one-lovely-award.html">now</a>!) so I'm going to list some of the music bloggers that I have met and followed through Twitter. I tend to follow more craft blogs because I get a <i>lot</i> of ideas and inspiration for classroom manipulatives, materials and even simple DIY organizational furniture! </div>
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<ul>
<li>Marisa at <a href="http://mwren13.blogspot.com/">The Wren's Nest</a></li>
<li>Catie at <a href="http://celticnovelist.com/">A Day in the Life of a Backwards Musical Mind</a></li>
<li>Malinda at <a href="http://www.mymusicalmenagerie.blogspot.com/">My Musical Menagerie</a></li>
<li>Jennifer at <a href="http://www.yellowbrickroadblog.com/">The Yellow Brick Road</a></li>
<li>Melissa at <a href="http://mrsstouffersmusicroom.weebly.com/">Mrs. Stouffer's Music Room</a></li>
<li>Jennifer at <a href="https://musicmom99.wordpress.com/">Educational Musings of a Music Educator</a></li>
<li>Joanna at <a href="http://motleymuse.blogspot.com/">Joanna's Music Blog</a></li>
<li>Eric at <a href="http://orffingaround.com/">Orffing Around</a></li>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196940811389889388.post-6126904393869102652015-01-21T11:58:00.002-06:002015-01-21T12:00:43.432-06:00I'm a believer: Take TwoMy title refers to this original post found <a href="http://kellyparrish605.blogspot.com/2014/05/im-believer.html">here</a>. This is an update!<br />
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I recently mentioned this post to my supervisor because things have really exploded (on Twitter) lately....in a really, really good way! When I last wrote about getting involved in Twitter chats and such, I feel like I was just barely scratching the surface. I am now an active member of several more chats and even moderating a new chat weekly. If only this all counted towards real professional development hours! (Does it?! Hmmmmm.....)<br />
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My district is now really involved with chats and in such a short amount of time, I've learned so much from participating in them. All are welcome and I guarantee you'll enjoy them if you stop by. Here's an infographic to tell you more:<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MbQj6T05NXI/VL_lhAFBwRI/AAAAAAAAAT0/BPARieHTJSM/s1600/Capture.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MbQj6T05NXI/VL_lhAFBwRI/AAAAAAAAAT0/BPARieHTJSM/s1600/Capture.JPG" height="640" width="491" /></a></div>
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I am active on #PISDedchat and #PISDartchat and I am moderating #PISDmusic. (Though I'm sure we will be having other moderators step in at times!) All of these are informative chats full of supportive, helpful, knowledgeable educators who really know their stuff. As the lone music teacher on my campus, it has been invaluable to reach out to others and get to know what they're doing at other schools. This large district doesn't feel so big anymore as I've gotten to "know" several others around me through this great network.<br />
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As for outside of these chats, I try to join #elmused on Tuesdays at 8 CST (when I'm not totally exhausted and can keep my eyes open!) and there is still #musedchat on Mondays at 7 CST and there is a new #slowchatmus that posts a question each day to answer at your leisure.<br />
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With all these options, it's so much fun to participate. Hop onto <a href="https://about.twitter.com/products/tweetdeck">Tweetdeck </a>if you want to organize all of this separately, too.<br />
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If you want to participate but don't know where to start, leave me a comment! Let me know how I can help you. I hope to see you on a chat or just conversing on Twitter. Simply put, it's just a great way to connect with others.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196940811389889388.post-69773492908515468842015-01-06T22:12:00.000-06:002015-01-07T07:47:06.808-06:00String Family Tech HuntMy students are headed to the symphony after Spring Break so we are focusing in on the four families of the orchestra. We have covered facts and characteristics here and there over the years, but I definitely want to do a little more in-depth study before we get on that bus!<br />
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I'm very excited to integrate more technology into this year's orchestra study. To just tiptoe into the string family, I used a recording of a string piece with something familiar (the voice), yet a bit deceiving (the voice). I know....that sounds a bit strange, but if you know the piece, you'll know what I mean. I chose <a href="http://www.tubechop.com/watch/4436450">Bobby McFerrin and Yo-Yo Ma's recording of J.S. Bach's <i>Musette</i></a>.<br />
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I love this recording because the cello is just beautiful and it's just a fun, playful short piece. The vocals can be a bit distracting (whose voice is that anyway?! they all ask), but I do ask the kids ahead of time to be sure to listen carefully to all the sounds because there will be quiz about what they heard.<br />
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This takes us into a <a href="http://www.plickers.com/" target="_blank">Plickers</a> quiz. If you've never used Plickers, download those little code cards and print them <i>now</i> (or splurge on a set from <a href="http://amazon.com/">Amazon.com</a> like I did!). It is such a great app! All you need is one device and you can give quizzes with immediate feedback and recorded answers! (Here's the <a href="https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1fB1b9UjLz4Ua78RK5ylPpHaiZowV7ukcjYwYv78gCoA/edit?usp=sharing">actual quiz</a> that I gave, if you're interested in seeing or using it.)<br />
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Once that Plickers quiz was done (which I assured them was just a "see what we know" type deal; not a major test grade! though I do look forward to comparing their knowledge after we study our instruments a lot more in-depth), we split up into groups to start our tech hunt. Each group received a clipboard with their <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/3hqkvvjvmwkd1pe/String%20Family%20Fact%20Check.jpg?dl=0">scavenger list of questions</a> and a device. I had several QR codes taped up around the room, plus three permanent stations set up. The QRs were repeated just in case the groups were crowding around a certain one. The list is as follows:<br />
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<ul>
<li>QR leading to information about pizzicato technique (text only)</li>
<li>QR leading to a <a href="http://goo.gl/x4Hrgy" target="_blank">Thinglink</a> about string quartets</li>
<li>QR leading to a <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1IdLI8ArJH8b25YX1NwVERCQUU/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">string instrument</a> labeled with Skitch (major parts labeled)</li>
<li>QR leading to information about how many strings in a harp (text only)</li>
<li>QR leading to <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1IdLI8ArJH8WGtwTmlLeE5hM3c/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">information about bows</a> and the type of hair used to make them</li>
<li>my personal Macbook in guest mode (yes, I'm brave!) with <a href="http://www.knowitall.org/artopia/music/artcritic/closerlook/index.html">Artopia.com</a> set up to listen and compare the four main instruments of the string family; they can do the matching game as well (if time)</li>
<li>iPad mini with <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/mso-learn/id441422027?mt=8">MSOLearn app</a> to view interactive orchestra seating chart information</li>
<li>teacher computer set up with a <a href="http://www.belkin.com/us/p/P-F8Z274/">headphone splitter</a> set to this <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MP2_6OLummA">YouTube video</a> so one group at a time can view a short video about the string family which also introduces the harp</li>
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<i>Edited to include Google Doc with QR codes <<a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1WTBrrb5HwUyh_7zdGZZNAM9jW7tXShLLz-Ya5llWNac/edit?usp=sharing">here</a>>. I added labels to show which QR was which, but I don't have labels for the kids....that way it is a surprise when they open the QR, of course!</i></div>
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I wish I had some pictures of the kids working on their hunt....but every device I have was being used! These days I don't have a separate camera that I keep handy in my classroom.<br />
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In case you're wondering, I don't have a class set of iPads! (<i>I wish!</i>) I borrowed a couple from the 4th grade teachers (since they are planning, they aren't using them for teaching), used my class iPad and used a couple of my own personal devices. Unfortunately, that meant that the groups had to be slightly larger than I would have liked (4-5) but it worked out fine. The kids worked well together overall. The tech hunt will continue for 1-1.5 more lessons or so until they get the questions answered.<br />
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After this, we'll certainly explore some more string repertoire....what are your favorite recordings? Any great suggestions? Leave me a comment!! Also, any other suggestions or ideas to incorporate some more technology in my tech hunt? I'd love some feedback!<br />
<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196940811389889388.post-61287497774877985822014-12-09T14:07:00.002-06:002014-12-09T14:07:50.323-06:00Freebies: Vocal warmupsI recently upgraded to the Royale membership for <a href="http://www.picmonkey.com/" target="_blank">PicMonkey</a>. I normally don't bother with upgrading on sites like that (I'm fairly adept with Photoshop in the first place) but the website is just too easy and the graphics are so cute and just my style. Plus, I can access it at school to make all kinds of graphics and backgrounds for my PPTs and such. The 30-day free trial didn't hurt either!<br />
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So I thought I'd pass along something that I made after playing around with this website. My kindergarteners love vocal rollercoasters. They love to play teacher by using my pointers and leading the class to follow wiggly lines on the board that move in high, medium and low curves and loops. It's great practice to get their voices moving. Since it's winter (well, the closest thing to winter we've got here in Texas), I came up with <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/y0bb7olw68kztpx/Frosty_shared.pptx?dl=0" target="_blank">Frosty's Silly Snowballs</a>. Here's some screenshots from the file:<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uiC9k0rrDFo/VIcDAh9jtMI/AAAAAAAAAS4/qdA9wLf4xs4/s1600/Frosty1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uiC9k0rrDFo/VIcDAh9jtMI/AAAAAAAAAS4/qdA9wLf4xs4/s1600/Frosty1.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IvqlXM0qtkw/VIcDAkpSDJI/AAAAAAAAAS0/fZltLTlVmUk/s1600/Frosty2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IvqlXM0qtkw/VIcDAkpSDJI/AAAAAAAAAS0/fZltLTlVmUk/s1600/Frosty2.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-reVjUHbYZXY/VIcDAo-rXuI/AAAAAAAAASw/d8V-Drikpbo/s1600/Frosty3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-reVjUHbYZXY/VIcDAo-rXuI/AAAAAAAAASw/d8V-Drikpbo/s1600/Frosty3.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">(Speaking of Frosty, I am now using online books on this great website called </span><a href="http://wegivebooks.com/" style="text-align: start;" target="_blank">We Give Books</a><span style="text-align: start;">! </span><a href="http://www.wegivebooks.org/books/frosty-the-snowman/reader" style="text-align: start;" target="_blank">Frosty the Snowman</a><span style="text-align: start;"> is available, as well as a cute story called </span><a href="http://www.wegivebooks.org/books/snowmen-at-night/reader" style="text-align: start;" target="_blank">Snowmen At Night</a><span style="text-align: start;">. This one is particularly good for movement! I am trying to find the Twitter friend that posted this useful info so I can give her credit, but I can't find her name or the post I favorited at this moment. I'll update it if I can locate it!)</span></div>
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If you'd like some vocal rollercoasters that will work all year long, here's a <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/s4xdxtv3awjxjaz/Follow%20that%20Bird_shared.pptx?dl=0" target="_blank">bird flying</a> in various paths to his tree:</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k4v3KJY7xng/VIdFRYOMgzI/AAAAAAAAATU/2YsxrGaDdrs/s1600/bird1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k4v3KJY7xng/VIdFRYOMgzI/AAAAAAAAATU/2YsxrGaDdrs/s1600/bird1.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O9KdpI7LMzM/VIdFRYF1y-I/AAAAAAAAATQ/BklPQyUOBgk/s1600/bird2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O9KdpI7LMzM/VIdFRYF1y-I/AAAAAAAAATQ/BklPQyUOBgk/s1600/bird2.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k9ypqMPUYOk/VIdFRe7R9BI/AAAAAAAAATY/98j5hMoaYLM/s1600/bird3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k9ypqMPUYOk/VIdFRe7R9BI/AAAAAAAAATY/98j5hMoaYLM/s1600/bird3.JPG" height="149" width="200" /></a></div>
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I hope your students enjoy these as much as mine have! </div>
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<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196940811389889388.post-67233887809210563652014-12-08T20:12:00.003-06:002014-12-08T20:12:57.484-06:00popsicle stick dictation setsAs you can probably tell by now, I'm not blogging for the fame and fortune. :) I really do need to blog more often though....<br />
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I have been agonizing over my popsicle stick dictation sets for awhile now. Actually, I have been becoming downright disgruntled over these things over the last few years. Am I the only one? (Probably.) The beat-up baggies that won't zip closed....they get spilled when the kids return them to my drawer....the ones with holes....quite honestly, I usually just rezip each and every one of them as the (younger) kids bring them up to me because even when they looked and felt zipped, they weren't. Yes, I'm <i>that</i> teacher who likes supplies to be neat and organized. Yet somehow my room never looks like it...<br />
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I've been on the hunt for small secure boxes or better bags - <i>anything</i> - that could hold these things! They couldn't cost much either because I knew I'd probably be buying them on my own. (I have a generous budget, but I'm very impatient and like to have things immediately when I spot them!) Finally, I found these <a href="http://www.neatlysmart.com/catalog/item.aspx?sku=12755" target="_blank">small pencil boxes</a> online and loaded them with some great stuff for dictation! Forget the plain old wooden popsicle sticks....nope, not in my classroom! :) Here's what I've got in my sets:<br />
<ul>
<li>pre-colored popsicle sticks from Office Depot; I've used these to group kids: "Orange sticks, read your rhythm. Green sticks, read next." etc. </li>
<li>mega sticks, <a href="https://simpleplanner.wordpress.com/2013/05/09/stain-popsicle-sticks-food-coloring-tutorial-diy/" target="_blank">dyed pinkish-red</a> (with food coloring) for beat bars </li>
<li>mini sticks dyed to match the regular sticks; these are for flags or for shorter bars (ti-tika or tika-ti type combos)</li>
<li>white poker chips (found long ago in the Target dollar aisle) with the edges colored in Sharpie for half notes</li>
<li>small wooden circles (found at the craft store or more recently, my home crafting stash) dyed to match the regular sticks; </li>
<li>black pipe cleaners for ties</li>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UIEJrfpFMq8/VIZSWxxxhYI/AAAAAAAAAR8/Clodg4xsN7k/s1600/From%2BSkitch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UIEJrfpFMq8/VIZSWxxxhYI/AAAAAAAAAR8/Clodg4xsN7k/s1600/From%2BSkitch.jpg" height="467" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pic labeled with Skitch...very cool app!</td></tr>
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Here's some examples of how they can be used:<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dY0wtEQdISQ/VIZUOLjmU2I/AAAAAAAAASM/lqQF554DsKU/s1600/Photo%2BDec%2B08%2C%2B3%2B24%2B41%2BPM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dY0wtEQdISQ/VIZUOLjmU2I/AAAAAAAAASM/lqQF554DsKU/s1600/Photo%2BDec%2B08%2C%2B3%2B24%2B41%2BPM.jpg" height="171" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XNx-8-0fCvM/VIZUOIQYx_I/AAAAAAAAASI/CDGS63srwpE/s1600/Photo%2BDec%2B08%2C%2B3%2B25%2B42%2BPM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XNx-8-0fCvM/VIZUOIQYx_I/AAAAAAAAASI/CDGS63srwpE/s1600/Photo%2BDec%2B08%2C%2B3%2B25%2B42%2BPM.jpg" height="138" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AiQIs5zVuMw/VIZUOOxKlwI/AAAAAAAAASQ/OnJCvCkpoys/s1600/Photo%2BDec%2B08%2C%2B3%2B26%2B30%2BPM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AiQIs5zVuMw/VIZUOOxKlwI/AAAAAAAAASQ/OnJCvCkpoys/s1600/Photo%2BDec%2B08%2C%2B3%2B26%2B30%2BPM.jpg" height="150" width="320" /></a></div>
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I was worried that the boxes would take up a lot of room (the baggies are very compact, which is one nice thing about them) but here's how they look when they're all packed up in a box:<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mXFqpzLSr5w/VIZUy5w4kNI/AAAAAAAAASg/0PWw5kr1Rvk/s1600/Photo%2BDec%2B08%2C%2B3%2B27%2B39%2BPM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mXFqpzLSr5w/VIZUy5w4kNI/AAAAAAAAASg/0PWw5kr1Rvk/s1600/Photo%2BDec%2B08%2C%2B3%2B27%2B39%2BPM.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Not bad, huh? The kids are having a great time using them. And this music teacher is happy to throw away all those torn up, ragged ziplock bags!! (It's the little things in life, you know?)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196940811389889388.post-77815983418197430262014-11-13T22:08:00.001-06:002014-11-14T11:17:59.957-06:00adventures in BYODI have been wanting to try some BYOD lessons in 4th and 5th grade this year and I finally got myself organized enough to start with 5th grade!<br />
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I believe very strongly in building, teaching and enforcing digital citizenship so it was important to me to pass out <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/ko07hms9rznra5c/Blank%20Contract.pdf?dl=0" target="_blank">student contracts</a> for my kids and their parents to sign. The one I used came from Forney ISD (used and changed with their permission). I will honestly say that I haven't had much luck getting all the copies back, but I'm being tough with my students. No contract, no device use. Period. The first group today discovered how fun the activity was and that we'll be continuing next week.....suddenly I have a lot of promises for more returned papers! :)</div>
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So here's what we did! Fifth grade has been practicing reading, writing, and dictating dotted quarter/eighth note combinations, so I thought I'd use the beautiful theme from the Largo movement of Dvorak's New World Symphony. It is one of my favorite pieces of music and it also connects with fifth grade's immigration lessons. Of course, there are several ways to write and interpret the rhythm of the theme, but I used dotted quarter in 4/4 time.</div>
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I asked my kids to read the theme's rhythm for practice. I explained that it came from the New World Symphony and asked what is meant by the "New World." After talking about this very briefly and why and when Dvorak wrote the piece, I started the music and asked them to quietly get out their devices. I gave them a web address on the projector leading them to a discussion via <a href="http://answergarden.ch/" target="_blank">Answer Garden</a>.</div>
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If you've never used Answer Garden, it's a great, easy way to get short answers. It's also an easy way to share if you only have a device to two. Ask a question and get answers that end up as a word cloud on your screen. You can set it up so that students can answer more than once. In this case, I asked the kids, "If you were heading to the New World, how would you feel?" I got answers such as :</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">scared ~ anxious ~ excited ~ nervous ~ happy ~ in awe ~ thankful ~ scared ~ proud ~ curious ~ amazed</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></b></div>
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It was great to get their answers quietly through their devices while listening to Dvorak's hopeful theme instead of having to wait until the end to discuss. </div>
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After ending that portion of the lesson, we went on to something else that we had practiced in a previous lesson. We had already learned the folk song <i>Whistle Daughter Whistle</i>. We talked about changing the lyrics as such:</div>
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Whistle daughter whistle, and you shall have a cow.</div>
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I can't whistle mother, because I don't know how.</div>
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to</div>
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Whistle daughter whistle, and you shall have a <u> </u>.</div>
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I can't whistle mother, because<u> </u>.</div>
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We did a practice verse or two last week where I filled in the first blank with a different animal and they had to fill in the second blank. However, in today's BYOD lesson, I gave them a link to a <a href="http://www.padlet.com/" target="_blank">Padlet</a> and they were free to fill in both blanks. They could choose another animal (like the original song) or an object....it was up to them as long as their text was appropriate. I left one more example of my own on the Padlet wall so they'd know what was expected. <i>I should also point out that I only had a few kids with access to devices (due to turning in paperwork) so they worked in groups. Everyone contributed, but only certain students were able to handle the devices.</i> <i>I would normally have them work in small groups for the lesson anyway though.</i></div>
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As soon as they all found the Padlet website, I switched the projector over to it so they could see their answers pop up. All their answers came up in real time. I could see their faces light up as their peers reviewed their answers and smiled or laughed in approval. (Most of them tried to be as funny or clever as possible!) They ended up singing other group answers as they worked. They laughed, sang, smiled, and did I mention they actually worked? Without complaining? :) I'm going to give them a bit more time to edit their verses next week and I'm looking forward to posting their finished work on EdModo next week so they can show their parents at home.</div>
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I would say that our first BYOD lesson was a success. :)</div>
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What are some of your favorite BYOD activities in the music room?</div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196940811389889388.post-83456903414858065612014-10-12T13:03:00.002-05:002014-10-13T17:32:40.144-05:00Time-Out from Music<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z61YIk96ZmM/VDq0ynqe6FI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/ilKIDwonYus/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2014-10-12%2Bat%2B12.04.57%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z61YIk96ZmM/VDq0ynqe6FI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/ilKIDwonYus/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2014-10-12%2Bat%2B12.04.57%2BPM.png" height="320" width="219" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ETSI your friendly neighborhood robot</td></tr>
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I'd like to dedicate this post to something that doesn't have much to do with music....at least not directly. However, it has <i>everything</i> to do with pure creativity, innovation and imagination -- ideas that all musicians young and old can benefit from!<br />
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I am extremely fortunate to have connected with an amazing art teacher in my district through the technology institute that I attended this summer. Becca Bailey had attended the Cardboard Challenge class and created ETSI, the friendly neighborhood robot. Made from cardboard, tape, markers, imagination and nothing else, ETSI inspired Becca to hold her own Cardboard challenge here in the district. (If you don't know where this idea of a cardboard challenge originated, check out <a href="http://cainesarcade.com/" target="_blank">Caine's Arcarde</a>....this kid is the best!)<br />
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Working with her coworkers Lara, Megan and Nancy and Clara from district admin, they put together a crazy, beautiful event. From the chaos of cardboard flying everywhere, I saw kids, parents, grandparents and volunteers working with each other to create games, robots, dogs, buildings, working (yes, <i>working</i>) elevators, a replica of the State Fair Ferris Wheel, dresses, airplanes, and so much more. Kids were laughing and smiling....there was no fighting over supplies (!).....we were all one team working towards having fun and making something out of nothing.<br />
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I don't think I've ever seen anything like it. I'm working on a video of some footage that I took, but I'm having trouble with my video software so check back for that. In the meantime, here are some of my favorite photos from the day.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QgEMTGZtbgE/VDq7n8GKnPI/AAAAAAAAARM/Jxdz9F-AFnA/s1600/%23planoCC.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QgEMTGZtbgE/VDq7n8GKnPI/AAAAAAAAARM/Jxdz9F-AFnA/s1600/%23planoCC.png" height="512" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2pDnQz4qqxo/VDq-FK9ybUI/AAAAAAAAARY/QN2RuZvSSs8/s1600/%23planoCC%2B(1).png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2pDnQz4qqxo/VDq-FK9ybUI/AAAAAAAAARY/QN2RuZvSSs8/s1600/%23planoCC%2B(1).png" height="512" width="640" /></a></div>
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This doesn't even begin to cover the magic of the morning. It was one of those "you had to be there" kind of things. :) An experience of a lifetime, you might say! Thank you, Becca and Team, for hosting this challenge. I know it wasn't easy but you all are reminders of why we need arts in education. </div>
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Please follow Becca and her cohorts on Twitter...you won't regret it!</div>
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@artwithbailey</div>
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@gagorogers</div>
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@mliveng</div>
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@techclara</div>
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<complete id="goog_842176542">@NancyWTech</complete> </div>
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@planocc (the event's Twitter handle)</div>
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and of course, the originator of the Cardboard challenge @CainesArcade</div>
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And don't forget to search #planocc for all the action from the event itself!</div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196940811389889388.post-72858766704075373222014-10-03T11:37:00.001-05:002014-10-03T11:40:14.031-05:00GoPro fun!This post is a bit awkward because I can't actually post my proof....but I promise it's all good!!<br />
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I recently purchased a <a href="http://gopro.com/">GoPro</a> camera. If you've never heard of it, click on the website link in the name and check out their videos. Mine are nothing compared to that, but I'm still having lots of fun with it in my own way!<br />
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Basically, it's a very small video camera meant for stunts, action shots or on-the-go video. I even have a water-proof case for it. (You know, for the next time I teach underwater folk dancing?) What I like best is that you can attach it to a hands-free strap or mount and you're good to go. So that's just what I did this week. I buckled it onto a student and we started up a round of a Liza Jane. We did a dance version that I learned from a coworker. The result was a first-person view of what we do in the music classroom! The kids had a blast - and yes, they were a bit goofy and some waved at the camera - but they tried their absolute best so they could watch themselves later.<br />
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Like I said, I can't post my proof right now, simply because some of my students do not have waivers signed to be posted on the internet, but you'll have to take my word that the video is really awesome and really valuable feedback for me and the kids. I can't wait to show it to them! (In case you're wondering, it is very easy to download from the camera and keep on the computer. In my case, I did put it on Vimeo, but it is currently set to private <i>and</i> password-protected for my use only.)<br />
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I'm trying to think of other uses for it. I think a passing game would be great to capture on it. A friend on Twitter suggested recording a program or concert, which is a great idea. I never get good video of those since I'm always busy directing!<br />
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Which other folk dances would have an especially good point of view? I really want to try Great Big House! Leave me a comment!<br />
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<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196940811389889388.post-31258764681745677972014-09-19T16:32:00.002-05:002014-09-20T14:54:12.649-05:00Augmented RealitySo I've always felt like I <i>live</i> in a bit of augmented reality, but I should be clear that today's blog post is actually about the technology kind.....<br>
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At tech training this summer, I went to a session covering augmented reality or AR as it is sometimes known. All I can say is WOW. This stuff blew my mind. There are <a href="http://www.teachthought.com/technology/32-augmented-reality-apps-for-the-classroom-from-edshelf/">several AR apps</a> to choose from - some free, some not. There are some kits to buy as well, such as <a href="https://www.playosmo.com/">Osmo</a>....I like that one a lot! It is so much fun! As great as they are for the general classroom, they aren't quite as applicable in the music room. (Unless you have tons of free time to really, <i>really</i> use some creative license in your curriculum...I don't have that much wiggle room in the schedule!)<br>
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This week, I found a pretty good use for one called <a href="http://colarapp.com/">ColAR Mix</a>. I had to miss a day this week and needed a fail-proof sub plan for a non-musical sub. I thought a musical story book and a quick AR coloring sheet to go along with the book would be perfect. I don't normally do this kind of lesson, but I thought it would be a perfect way to introduce the kids (and parents) to some new technology! ColAR Mix's website provides a handful of free worksheets to go along with basic app and provides the directions already at the bottom of the worksheet. So when the kids took their worksheet home at the end of the day, the parents could follow the directions to get the app themselves. (I told them if they don't have a device at home, they can bring it back and I'll show them what it does.)<br>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DkpG80IPgGw/VBySJtDw33I/AAAAAAAAAQU/AfBP4WAyg04/s1600/selva.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DkpG80IPgGw/VBySJtDw33I/AAAAAAAAAQU/AfBP4WAyg04/s1600/selva.JPG" height="200" width="197"></a>So I chose the book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Paseo-Por-Selva-Spanish-Edition/dp/1841489956">"De Paseo por la Selva"</a> with CD included so the sub didn't have to sing it. It is full of great animal sounds, which is wonderful for vocal explorations. Not to mention it has a woman's solo voice, a man's solo voice and then a chorus of voices. This is perfect for differentiating between various voices and timbres. Cross-curriculur-wise (is that a word?!), the main character travels to the jungle, the desert, the mountain, the ocean, the river, and more. All of this is in Spanish, but even my non-Spanish speakers could figure out the basics of the story by following the pictures and animal sounds. The song is very catchy as well!<br>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yhH6B5xkVK0/VByXlwSO8pI/AAAAAAAAAQk/oHfhERxjjLc/s1600/bird.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yhH6B5xkVK0/VByXlwSO8pI/AAAAAAAAAQk/oHfhERxjjLc/s1600/bird.JPG" height="320" width="248"></a><br>
I then paired it with the tropical bird coloring sheet from ColAR. I left directions for the sub to ask them to imagine that the main character had met this bird on her travels. What color is it? What sound would it make? Does it have a song that it sings? Once it was colored, they could take it home, follow the directions at the bottom, and bring it to life.<br>
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When I returned to school, I felt a bit bad that some kids got to do this cool lesson and the others didn't....so I continued it today! I'm so glad I did too because they really had a great time. And it was so fun to hear them give voices to their birds. I also got to see their reactions to the AR in person. I was able to activate their birds in class rather than just sending the coloring sheets home. Take a look:</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/vBFjEuJQd2w?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br>
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This is not the greatest video; I had my iPad in one hand, and getting this video on my iPhone with the other hand. Multitasking at its best. Sort of. :) If you're careful, you can even put your hand in front of the camera and make it look like the bird is sitting on your finger. The kids just went <i>crazy </i>for that!</div>
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So give some AR a try if you have a chance! Even if you're just exploring it for yourself or your children at home for fun, these apps are <i>unbelievable</i>. </div>
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I'm so excited about tomorrow! I'm going to be presenting during the Genius Hour portion of our professional development at our school. I'm so honored to be presenting to my peers and to ensure a good "review" of sorts, I'm totally bribing them with door prizes! Ha!!! :) Just kidding!! Well, not really....I do have door prizes and that's the secret!<br />
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My presentation is about BYOD classrooms, which I've never actually had myself. But I'm going to be attempting it this year. I say attempting because there will be some obstacles to navigate, but that's a whole different story. Either way, that doesn't mean the classroom teachers of my school can't learn about it! I'm using <a href="http://www.nearpod.com/">Nearpod</a> to give my presentation (with a little bit of <a href="http://en.linoit.com/">Lino</a> thrown in too). If you've never tried Nearpod, check it out <b>now</b>. It's a really amazing program!! Anyway, since a major part of BYOD is teaching and modeling digital citizenship, I was inspired by a <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/362821313703519081/">pin</a> that I found on Pinterest and I made this:<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XdRkJj4lbFU/U_Fb6SWXY1I/AAAAAAAAAP4/Re80s2hRW0g/s1600/Photo%2BAug%2B16%2C%2B10%2B23%2B22%2BPM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XdRkJj4lbFU/U_Fb6SWXY1I/AAAAAAAAAP4/Re80s2hRW0g/s1600/Photo%2BAug%2B16%2C%2B10%2B23%2B22%2BPM.jpg" height="320" width="244" /></a></div>
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I changed the word <i>speak</i> to <i>comment</i> mostly because I wanted it to apply to digital citizenship <i>and</i> in-person interactions. (I have also seen this sign with, "before you Facebook - Twitter - Instagram - etc.....") After all, a major part of music education is commenting on what we hear. Let's face it, kids don't always think before speaking their mind on someone else's performance. That is something we have to work on a lot throughout elementary school.</div>
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My little sign turned out so well that I decided to make two more (in slightly different colors)....one for each session that I'll have in the morning. I found an <a href="http://www.classtools.net/random-name-picker/">online name randomizer</a> ready to choose my winner. </div>
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(In case you're wondering how the sign was made, it's a canvas that I painted with black paint. The colored letters were cut out out of cardstock using my <a href="http://www.silhouetteamerica.com/">Silhouette Cameo</a> and the white letters are made with adhesive vinyl, also cut with the Cameo. I mod-podged the cardstock letters onto the canvas.)</div>
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By the way, are you a BYOD music classroom? If so, leave me a comment! I will definitely be posting more on that later!</div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0