Back in the swing of things. :)

So, after the craziness of Program preparation and practicing and practicing and practicing and practicing... you get the picture, it almost feels like a break to get back to normal. Now my job is back to teaching kids to love and appreciate music by showing them how much I love and appreciate music! :) (Not too bad of a job, I have to say). I mean, what person can say that they get paid to walk around a classroom with kids acting like a train, sing a song about random animals where a hippopotamus says "bookadoo", sing directions, dance around to Irish music, etc... :) Constantly I have to remind myself how much joy that I can give and receive at my job. It is only when I get overwhelmed with the nitty gritty details and discipline that I lose my joy. The days when I live in the moment, have lessons planned, and then give the rest to God are usually just amazing days, when I leave work fulfilled and filled with joy.

I am also excited because I have come up with plans for "Units" for the rest of the year to help this incredibly unorganized woman begin to organize her lessons and classroom :)  (since I do not have a curriculum, which is good and bad at the same time)

Here are my ideas (if you know of any activities, songs, stories that go along with any of these, PLEASE share!! :)  or if you have any ideas to expand upon each unit, I am open for ideasm very open!

K- Fun Folk Songs 

1^st Animal Themes

I Bought Me a Cat

2 Multicultural Unit 

• Spain
• Start with Spanish song (Aqui) 
• Talk about the various instruments and way of singing
• Germany
• Teach them Alle Meine Entchen 
• Ireland 
• Lesson on a Simple Irish Folk song melody 
• Teach them a little Irish Dance 

- African 

3^rd Grade-- 

Theory (have them do a little quiz to see where they are before we have recorders) 

Beginning Recorders -- basic, GAB, with many songs on these 3 notes 

4^th Grade-- RECORDERS 

Playing for belts, learning notes, rhythms, dictating rhythms… 

5^th Grade-- Music History    ( The very nerdy side of me is super excited about this! - I absolutely LOVE Music HIstory!!:) 

Jan- Before Medieval

- Greek Theater Lessons :) 

- Chant (cont. the lesson plans I was doing for Chant) 

Feb- Medieval

March- Baroque

April- Classical

May- Romantic 

6^th

Jan- Piano unit 

Playing the Paper keyboards and learning a little about scales and chords in the process