Music with Mrs. Nielsen

What? I laminated large, blank pieces of staff paper and purchased about 60 emoji erasers for students to use. Students can use these at all grade levels to practice reading notes on the staff. I used this activity as part of our station work. This station they worked with me. For K-1, I introduced them to the idea of lines and spaces. We practiced lines by making sure that the lines ran right through eyeballs of the emoji face. For 2nd grade, I introduced them to lines and spaces, and the idea that we count the lines from the bottom up, and that the spaces spell the word "FACE." For 3-4 grades, students practiced spelling words on the staff and checking each other's work. They had a list of 12 words and needed to spell 10 of them correctly on their staff before moving to the next station. So What? Manipulatives are a great learning resource and help students get more engaged in the learning process. This activity set the foundation for several music standards, includ...

What? As a way to encourage practice and provide a way for students to push themselves, I introduced the 100 Days of Practice program. This program has students track their practice days. At 25, 50, and 75 days of practice, they get their name on the corresponding poster. At 100 days of practice, they get to take a picture with their instrument and put that on the 100 Club poster. Level 50 and Level 100 have an achievement certificate that comes along with it and at level 100, they'll earn a special music keychain for their backpack. Band students started this in December, choir students are starting this week and 4th grade students will have the chance to do this starting in February when they start learning recorder. All of these students have time to make it into the 100 club by the end of the school year as long as they start no later than February 1st. So What? This is designed to help motivate students at all skill levels. I have some students who are extremely high achie...