It’s hiring season in the international school world, and going through the hiring process in 2024 has been eye-opening for me. This is the first time I’ve looked through applications since ChatGPT (and other AI text generators) changed the way
Write the Room: Notation on the MOVE
Okay, I’m probably pretty late to the game on this, but I saw a friend doing a phonics activity called “Write the Room”, and the kids LOVED it! Even the kids who hated writing were having a blast trotting from
Three simple steps to developing creativity
There is no question that creativity is a vital skill for the 21st century. But at the same time, thanks to the increasing obsession with standardized testing and other high levels of quantifiable achievement, creative subjects like art and music
Engaging Your Students Through Inquiry
Thanks for joining me for Engaging Your Students Through Inquiry! You’ve already taken a great step to better teaching and learning in your music classroom. Be sure to subscribe so you you can download your free teacher planning workbook, and
16 Things I Wish I’d Known as a First-Year Teacher
It’s no secret that there’s a lot you don’t learn in your methods classes. Even student teaching doesn’t quite prepare you. Lucky for you, you’re reading this! In addition to the subject knowledge you have, and the pedagogical theory you’ve
5 Things to Do When Your Class Has Lost It
I once interviewed a teaching candidate after she did a lesson that was…difficult to watch. The children weren’t following her line of questions and were losing interest in what could have been an exciting activity. “Did you stray from your
The danger with TeachersPayTeachers
Teachers are often told the value of borrowing (or “stealing”) lessons and ideas from other teachers. With the growing popularity of Pinterest, Teachers Pay Teachers, and teacher affinity groups on Facebook, it is easier than ever to share and find
13 Tips for Giving Better Directions
Approaching my 20th year of teaching, I am thinking about how different my practice is now, compared to my first years. There’s so much that methods classes just don’t teach you! Some aspects of teaching can only be learned through
Ten Things You Need in Your Desk Drawer
Your classroom is like a second home. You spend a lot of time there, and the reality of teaching is that you can’t always step out when you need something. So as the scouts say, be prepared, and keep these
Top Tips for Teaching Rounds
I think it’s fair to say that teaching kids to sing a round is pretty standard fare in elementary school music. Rounds are a fantastic way for students to develop musical independence, to perform and listen at the same time.