I have always loved this silly song and my students do, too! This is to the tune of the Dutch spinning song, Sarasponda. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Aimee Pfitzner ? (@aimee_ofortunaorff ..read more

This is part of a series I am doing on TikTok and Instagram - Favorite Canons! The Fruit Canon is one of my absolute favorites - students LOVE this earworm! If you aren't already following on insta and TT check it out - more to come over the next week or two. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Aimee Pfitzner ? (@aimee_ofortunaorff ..read more

I love fingerplays, do you? There are so many different ones and the text is typically rhythmic and short, perfect for working on steady beat, rhythmic division, and expressive elements like dynamics and the four voices. They are also perfect to use with older students to develop ostinato (short, repeating patterns that create harmonic texture) and for improvisation. For the full slide set, click here. Here are some of the slides in the set: Hope you enjoy ..read more

 This is a fan favorite every year!  I love it for many reasons, not the least of which is the playful assessment I am able to do!  Not on instagram or TikTok yet?  SO many wonderful music teachers sharing great content!  Go check out Bee Beat!  ..read more

 Many years ago on facebook a music teacher shared these amazing poster cards I have used often.  My copies of the card got water stained over the summer with a leak in my storage room while my classroom was being painted, so I had to make new ones.  I have tried to find the original teacher who shared but was unable to.  So, thank you, nameless person.  There are many ways to use these - display and ask students to analyze what is happening or for choice in what they want to do next or simply use these as a reminder for yourself about what options you have for differe ..read more

 I love using these to get my students into movement and dance formations -I simply hold up the sign and students quietly (or silently) move into position.  We practice moving into formations at the beginning of the school year and I use these often to get students quickly to where they need to be for various activities.  Here's the link to the slide set to print. Enjoy ..read more

 Save the Date!!  I am so excited about these workshops.   Want to take Orff Levels but haven't yet or are unable?  Want to review or refresh your understanding of the Orff Approach?  Want to know how to playfully plan your first few minutes of class, your first few lessons, and first few months?  This is probably some of the most affordable PD available and you will get a HUGE amount of resources.   Register here - please send payment to musicquilt@hotmail.com. These workshops will be recorded and available to all registered participants ..read more

The end of each school year is ... well... interesting.  Looking forward to summer plans but in the middle of stress and the behavior of students either escalates into chaos and typically well behaved students go bananas, or students simply check out mentally and emotionally.  Our caffeine and sugar stashes are exhausted and our patience and enduring kindnesses are at Defcon 2.  I have been teaching almost 30 years - it doesn't seem to get easier and children and (some) parenting expectations and consequences are not what they used to be.  It seems like we are in the ..read more

 I love card games - to use in rotations, as a sub game, as a jumping off point for composition!  This one is Go Fish - grab your copy here - this will force a copy.  Here is Memory - another favorite! This will force a copy, also!  Enjoy ..read more

 Today we have a guest blog post from the awesome Melissa Fuller Flores.  Be sure to check her out on instagram!  MANY thanks to Melissa for sharing her advice and dance adaptations using Pop Music with folk dancing!  You’ve probably seen this quote: “Be the teacher you needed when you were younger.” That has been my driving force ever since a student of mine, early on in my teaching career, asked, “How come the music that we hear in music class is different from what we hear outside music class?” A pit sank in my stomach. It made me think about my own school music experie ..read more