Author Archive: DeborahKOakes
For You, Today…….Workshops!
I’ve added a Workshop page to my blog for any of you who might be interested in hosting one of my workshops in your district or locale. Check it out!
Red, White and Blue and Movie Maker, too!
Several years ago, I realized that our students were not spending enough time singing/learning patriotic song literature. In elementary music instruction, we have SO many areas to address and for me, this area had gotten lost in the shuffle. So…JoAnn and I sat down and compiled a list of the songs we wanted them to …
Rhythm Game
Over the years, I have collected a wonderful bag of tricks out of which I can pull a fun, high-interest game, song, activity, etc. for all those odds and ends times in instruction when you have a few extra minutes or when you all a brain break….like….the end of school! 🙂 Here is one of my favorites, the …
Come See Me at TMEA!
I will be presenting a new session, Ta-Da! Developing Creative Artistry in Young Students, at the Texas Music Educators Association Clinic/Convention this week in San Antonio, Texas. My session will be at 4:00 pm, Friday, in CC Ballroom C2. Come by, say “Hello!” and get some new ideas! I have officially opened a new Teacher Resource page on my …
Nibble, Nibble Mousie!
The holiday season is my favorite time of year in the music classroom! One of the many fun things we do is a study of opera and Hansel and Gretel in 3rd grade. As you may know, my area of expertise is the voice. I hold two vocal performance degrees and completed partial work toward a Doctor …
Cable Kit Delight
Whew!!! Another Christmas concert done and in the record book! Isn’t it just a whirlwind, getting everything ready the day of the concert? Programs printed and folded…..risers set in place……sound system…..OH, WAIT…..the sound system! Let me think…..“Which cables do I need and how do we connect it all?” “Now, where was that cable?” Of course, we …
A Round a Day!
When our students are really enjoying a song or activity, we often have an impromptu performance at the end of class and pull their homeroom teacher or even the principal in to watch and listen! Wow! I wish you could have come to the end of our 4th grade class yesterday to hear them sing …
Spiders!
“”Come into my parlor!” said the spider to the fly!” Many of the littles in Kindergarten struggle with bravery at this time of the year as even the first peal of shivery music of the season can send them over the edge! Since I want music to be FUN and not TERRIFYING, I begin our Silly Scary unit with familiar …
A Little Mice Scarin’
I love this time of year in my classroom because it signals the beginning of a delightful string of holidays: Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas! The music of Halloween is especially fun….the interesting melodies and shivery themes provide wonderful opportunities to explore and experience music in delightful new ways and to develop the young voice. My version of Up, Down, All …
Boo-ti-ful Pinterest!
While you’re getting geared up for the season, don’t forget to look over the Holiday-Halloween, Silly Scary Things, Monsters board on my Pinterest site, We Teach Music, for some great music classroom ideas! We Teach Music has over 10,000 pins, organized onto 105 boards, all dedicated to elementary music education! Boo-ti-ful!
Deborah K. Oakes 