Hi everyone!

It's almost time for winter break and as a teacher I know, it's hard to get our guys back on task and calm. We all have so many tips and tricks that we use and today, I thought I would share one of mine.

The strategy I like to use is playing instrumental music in the classroom.  The songs are a mix of pop and musicals, and a lot of them the kids already know.  They are always humming along while I play the music during writing time, station time, independent time, etc. It calms my guys down and keeps them focused on their task.

My Spotify Playlist

I do set rules for the music.  I set the playlist at a low volume and if I can't hear it because they are talking or I see that they are off task, I turn it off. Honestly, in the beginning of the year, I usually do have to turn it off a few times, but the kids like the music so much they learn to quiet down so that they can listen.

My students also really find artists that they like (right now it's The Piano Guys). When they like a particular artist, I will go to you tube and see if I can find music videos by that/those artist(s), and show it to my class (if it's appropriate of course).  In fact, I just played the Piano Guys latest song  "All I Want for Christmas", in collaboration with Lego, for them and they beg me to play it often!

They get excited and want to go home and put it on their own playlists. I can't tell you how many parents have asked me about certain artists! It's also another way to bring music education into the classroom, and expose them to different genres of music. I will point out songs that I like, that they may not know, and the kids share with me ones that they like as well!

If you want you can follow along to my playlist I have set up HERE. There are 197 songs currently (over 11 hours of songs so there is plenty to choose from). I update it often.

I hope that you have a great week and I will catch you on Friday for my Top 5 of the week. I am sure you know what at least one of those bullet points will be! :)