Not many people can honestly say " I took home 75 recorders last night, sanitized them and gave them all a bath". When asked tomorrow what I did last night, this will be my answer. I love my job.
We are finally at the end of our 4th grade recorder unit and it's time to get them clean and ready for next year's crew.
The grant I received this fall from Donors Choose helped me purchase 80 recorders for my classroom. Having them year-round next year will allow me to do recorders in smaller doses rather than 2 straight months after Christmas vacation. I hope to also tie them into other areas of my curriculum and make it a gradual process. I have some brainstorming to do this summer. 😊
Pinterest has been a huge help in gaining new ideas and helpful hints when it comes to recorders. Pinterest is not just a time-sucker for me. I'll admit that when I need a good laugh, it's the first place I go, but it's not all about recipes, fashion and funny cat pictures.
I use Pinterest as a means of personal professional development. Being the only elementary music teacher in my district, I don't have another co-teacher to bounce ideas off. (side note) I had a student teacher this semester and I thought my head was going to explode with new ideas and just someone to talk to who knew what I was talking about.
Pinterest isn't always the answer, but is often a springboard for how a new idea will work in my room. Recorders aren't super exciting to teach and for the non music students they can be torture. If I can turn playing a really ugly-sounding instrument into a game, or they get to throw a football for extra points for their team, then that's what I need to keep them all engaged.
Go Recorders!!!!
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