by Jennifer Shaw | Dec 10, 2025 | Teacher Talk
Starting a recorder club is a fantastic way to give upper elementary and middle school students a fresh, hands-on ensemble experience. A recorder ensemble helps students build independence on their parts, develop blending and balancing skills, and explore harmony in a...
by Jennifer Shaw | Dec 7, 2025 | Teacher Talk
When we picture recorders in the music classroom, most of us imagine students playing in unison on soprano recorder. But the moment you introduce alto, tenor, or bass recorders, the entire room shifts—students sit up, gasp, and whisper a collective “WOW!” This is...
by Jennifer Shaw | Aug 7, 2025 | Back to School, Teacher Talk
How I Started with Music Bulletin Board Ideas When I started at my new school, I walked into a building mid-renovation—not a single music bulletin board was up. I was also adjusting to life in a new country, learning unfamiliar systems, routines, and expectations, all...
by Jennifer Shaw | Mar 10, 2025 | Teacher Talk
In my classroom, I drew and cut out two objects that looked like toolboxes. One is called the rhythm toolbox, and the other is the melody toolbox. I often tell students that they have two toolboxes at their sides, one for rhythm and the other for melody, to help...
by Jennifer Shaw | Feb 20, 2025 | Lessons, Teacher Talk
For a long time, I watched my colleagues, who were homeroom teachers, regularly implement learning centers in their classrooms. I loved what I saw: students demonstrating independence, experiencing different opportunities for socialization, and receiving one-on-one...
by Jennifer Shaw | Jan 27, 2025 | Lessons, Teacher Talk
February 2nd is National Ukulele Day! Yes, it’s true! A day made special for ukulele! Thinking about incorporating the ukulele into your curriculum? Ukuleles can be an excellent tool for teaching melody, rhythm, harmony, form, and style concepts. And simply...
