I’m a huge advocate of Project-based learning (PBL) and have slowly been transitioning my instruction this way. As part of my studies while receiving my Masters in Teaching & Inquiry, I did a lot of research and was intrigued because it seemed like the perfect fit for my students.
Free Lessons
The Music Box: A Project Based Learning Activity
A great introductory project that is based on student interests. Can be modified easily to work in any subject, and incorporates numeracy, budgeting, and other math skills. This open-ended idea has students creating monthly “loot crates” based around a central theme (music in this case) and then they have to create a budget figuring out […]
Chrome Music Lab : Boomwhacker Compositions
Combining two of my students’ favorite things: Boomwhackers and Chrome Music Lab this fun activity was a huge hit with my 3rd and 4th grade classes. Students can compose, revise, and listen to their own original song. Once ready students practice and perform their piece for the class. This fun activity checked off so many […]
Art Assessment Materials (2.1.19 PD)
On February 1st, CPS Arts held a city-wide PD day at the Chicago Cultural Center, I was lucky enough to talk about how I use integrated assessment as parts of my lessons. I wanted to share the resources I used during the presentation with anyone who is interested. Assessment shouldn’t be a distraction from how […]
Keepin’ it 100
In honor of having both my 100th follower and 100th review on Teacher’s Pay Teachers I’m making everything 20% off (the highest discount) for the entire weekend.
FREE Concerts from Chicago Symphony Orchestra!
CSO School Concerts feature the world-renowned music making of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, exploring orchestral masterpieces and illuminating connections to students’ daily lives. Join us for four exciting programs that explore where great orchestral music comes from, what it means to be a listener in the 21st century and how composers, musicians and audiences are […]
K-pop Listening Lesson
K-pop (abbreviation of Korean popular music or Korean pop; (케이팝) is a music genre originating in South Korea, characterized by a wide variety of audio-visual elements. Although it includes all genres of “popular music” within South Korea, the term is often used in a narrower sense to describe a modern form of South Korean pop music drawing inspiration from a range of styles and […]
Google Expeditions
Google brought the world into our school as part of the Google Expedition AR program. Each class took an augmented reality field trip to an exotic location like the International Space Station, or Ancient Rome. Students were able to learn and interact as they physically walked around experiencing these locations in augmented reality (AR). An amazing […]
Lesson Lab: Arts & Tech Swap & Share
*ARTS & TECHNOLOGY: A LESSON PLAN SWAP & SHARE* In the modern classroom, tech and 21st-century learning skills are more than just trends. On Thursday, Feb 1st, come swap and share your favorite tech-based arts lesson plans while you connect, collaborate, and learn with peers. First, discipline-specific breakout groups will learn stop-motion animation using iPads, creating digital music online, and […]
Winter Concert: A new approach to old ideas
With another year in the books I wanted to take a look at what I felt was one of the most successful Winter Concert / Holidays Shows I’ve ever put together. A thematic show is something that a lot of music teachers struggle with, since there are only so many options year after year. […]
