#techtiptuesday #teachertiptuesday - Using Google Slides to Organize Multiple Elementary Music Classes
In this video, you'll see how I schedule a day filled with various grade levels of music classes using Google Slides.
Read MoreLong-Legged Sailor Play-Along (Boomwhackers, Percussion, and Recorder) and Manipulatives
This is the fourth installment of my summer project of creating play-along videos of songs and concepts found in the Kodály and Orff Schulwerk approaches. This week, I feature the Long-Legged Sailor Play-Along (Boomwhackers, Percussion, and Recorder) video. Like my resources? Please consider buying me a coffee at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/elmusedtech
Each video (found on my YouTube page) will be accompanied by lesson manipulatives.
Here are the resources and manipulatives:
Blog: http://amymburns.com/elmusedtech/2022/7/16/lls or https://buymeacoffee.com
All of the parts and the video are included in the manipulatives found here at https://buymeacoffee.com/elmusedtech/extras
Read MoreHow Do I Use Play-Along Videos in My Classroom?
Play-along videos are a hit in the music classroom, but how do you turn them into more than just a fun activity? In this post, I’ll share how to make play-along sessions educationally valuable with prep activities, manipulatives, and tips for deeper learning. Plus, find links to my free resources and play-along videos to get you started!
Read MoreEngage Your Elementary Music Students with "Golden" K-Pop Body Percussion Play-Along!
Bring K-Pop into your music class with “Golden” by Demon Hunters!
This fun body percussion play-along will have your younger elementary students clapping, stomping, and moving to the beat. Ready to turn up the rhythm and excitement in your classroom? Let’s get started!
#teachertiptuesday: All About Me Activity: A Great Way to Start the Year!
🎶 Ready to kickstart the school year with a fun, creative activity? 🎶
What if you could introduce yourself to your students and let them express their creativity in music class—right from day one? Get inspired by this engaging "All About Me" project that combines art, technology, and music! Watch the video to see how I bring this activity to life and learn how you can easily implement it in your own classroom.
👩🏫 Click to watch the process & make your first days of school unforgettable! 👨🏫
Read MoreNew Rhythm Play-Along: Transform Your Classroom with the KPop Demon Hunters Play-Along!
🎶 Ready to introduce the next big hit to your classroom? If your students are already obsessed with K-pop Demon Hunters and their infectious song “Golden,” you’ll want to check out this rhythm play-along! Perfect for all elementary levels, this lesson combines fun, engaging activities with a fresh, electropop sound. The play-along is set up to include alternative rhythm patterns for your older elementary students. Click to discover how to turn this chart-topping track into a rhythm learning experience your students won’t forget! 🎧
Read MoreKick Off the New School Year with a Fun Name Chant and Beatmaking Activity
🎶 Kickstart the School Year with a Musical Bang! 🎶
Ready to make your first day back unforgettable? Learn a fun Name Chant that helps you remember every student’s name while creating a beat with free online tools. Click to find out how you can combine body percussion, digital beatmakers, and rap to get your students hooked on music from the very first class! 👏🎧
Materials for an Early Childhood Family Music Class
Looking to Engage Your Youngest Learners? 🎶
Discover how to create a fun, interactive Family Music Class that brings music to the littlest of learners and their families. From simple songs and movements to hands-on instruments, these classes are a wonderful way to foster musical bonding and create a lasting impact on early childhood education. 👶🎤
Learn how I turned this idea into a thriving monthly program—and how you can do it too! Dive into tips, logistics, and materials to get started.
Tap to see how you can bring music into your community! 👇
Read MoreMiss the Elementary Music Summit? Don’t Worry—You Can Still Get the All Access Pass!
Did You Miss the Elementary Music Summit? Here’s Your Chance to Catch Up!
If you couldn’t attend the Elementary Music Summit, no worries! You can still grab the All Access Pass and get full access to all session recordings and resources for the entire year. Whether you need ideas for your preschool and kindergarten classes or are curious about how MusicFirst Elementary can enhance your lessons, it’s all available for you!
But act fast! The All Access Pass is available at a discounted price only until July 11—after that, the price goes up!
In the meantime, check out highlights from:
"Help! Preschool and Kindergarten Have Been Added to My Schedule"
"Sing, Move, Play, and Create with MusicFirst Elementary"
Click the link below to read more and secure your All Access Pass today!
👉 Read the full post and grab your pass!
#MusicEd #AllAccessPass #ElementaryMusic
Read MoreToday! - Help! Preschool and Kindergarten Have Been Added to My Schedule! (Copy)
TODAY'S THE DAY!!! 🥳🥳🥳
I'm presenting at The Elementary Music Summit® today, and I'm SO excited!
Join me and learn about my favorite tried-and-true activities, resources, and lesson ideas from over 25 years of joyful music-making with PreK and K students. Whether you're new to teaching little ones or just looking to add fresh ideas to your repertoire, you’ll leave with practical tools and confidence to make your early childhood music classes a hit. Come discover how magical (and manageable!) teaching music to young learners can be!
I can't wait to see you all there at 10:15 EDT!
Read MoreElementary Music Summit: MusicFirst Elementary Session Today!
This blog post was written by my good friend, Jim Frankel, President of MusicFirst. Please check it out below!
Written By Jim Frankel found at Music Tech Helper
Every summer, I look forward to events that bring music educators together—opportunities where we can share ideas, spark creativity, and re-energize for the coming school year. Over the past few summers, I’ve traveled around the country on behalf of MusicFirst, presenting at a wide variety of in-person conferences, but this year, there is an online event for elementary music educators that has really stood out - the Elementary Music Summit hosted by Bryson Tarbet (aka That Music Teacher). It’s a completely online, free conference designed just for elementary music educators, and this year’s lineup is nothing short of inspiring. MusicFirst is a VERY proud sponsor of the event, and we have a fantastic session planned that focuses on our amazing offering for elementary music teachers. Melanie Alexander, Mary Birkner, and Amy Burns are teaming up to present a session titled Sing, Move, Play, and Create with MusicFirst Elementary on July 9th at 1:30 PM EST . If you’re not familiar with MusicFirst Elementary yet, this is the perfect opportunity to dive in.
Read MoreElementary Music Summit Begins Tomorrow!
Who's excited for The Elementary Music Summit® TOMORROW?! 🖐🖐🖐 I know I am!!! It's going to be 5 days of inspiration, packed with valuable insights and practical tips to help make this school year your best one yet. With 30 amazing speakers, you'll walk away with strategies to work smarter, not harder, while ensuring every one of your students succeeds in the music classroom.
And don’t miss my session, "Help! Preschool and Kindergarten Have Been Added to My Schedule!" on Thursday, July 10, at 10:15 EDT. It’s going to be a game-changer if you’ve ever been thrown into teaching the little ones! 🎶
Come join us and grab your free ticket now (https://amy_burns--thatmusicteacher.thrivecart.com/all-access-pass-july-2025-ps/680fc7d4a45f7/)—I can't wait to see you there! 🌟
#ElementaryMusicSummit #ThatMusicTeacher #MusicTeacher #GeneralMusic #MusicEducation #MusicEd #MusicEducationMajor #ElementaryMusic
#teachertiptuesday You Deserve to Thrive as an Elementary Music Teacher—Not Just Survive
Are you ready to feel confident, inspired, and supported in your elementary music classroom—without burning out? I’m so excited to be presenting at the 2025 Elementary Music Summit®, a completely free online conference designed just for elementary music teachers like you! Whether you’re looking for fresh ideas, classroom-ready resources, or a reminder that you’re not alone, this summit is packed with everything you need to start the school year strong. 🎶✨ [Click here to learn more and grab your free ticket!]
Read MoreScarf Fun with Brahms and a Little Doggie: A New Movement Activity for the Elementary Musi
Looking for a fresh, engaging way to bring classical music to life in your elementary music classroom? This new scarf activity set to a piano version of Brahms’ Hungarian Dance No. 5 invites students to move along with a playful doggie who draws scarf pathways on screen! With slow and fast versions, clear visual cues, and a storyline that teaches musical concepts like accents, tempo changes, and expressive movement, this routine is both joyful and educational. Click to explore the activity and grab the manipulatives to make your next class a hit! 🎵🐶
Read More#teachertiptuesday Discover MusicFirst Elementary at the Elementary Music Summit!
If you’re an elementary music teacher gearing up for a new school year, you may be feeling a mix of excitement and overwhelm. Let’s face it—most of us didn’t receive a full toolbox in undergrad, and many times, we’re left to piece things together on our own. But you’re not alone—and you don’t have to start the year on “music teacher island.”
That’s exactly why I’m so excited to share that MusicFirst Elementary (MFE) will be featured at the 2025 Elementary Music Summit®, hosted by ThatMusicTeacher.com! This completely free online event, happening July 7–11, brings together over 30 elementary music experts who will help you walk into the classroom this fall with energy, confidence, and fresh, practical ideas you can use right away.
One of the featured sessions at this year’s summit is called:
“Sing, Move, Play, and Create with MusicFirst Elementary” presented by Dr. Mary Birkner and Melanie Alexander.
If you’ve been curious about MFE—or if you’re looking for a general music curriculum that’s adaptable, engaging, and rooted in active music-making—this session is for you.
What is MusicFirst Elementary?
For the past two years, I’ve used MusicFirst Elementary in my own classroom. It brings together the best of what I’ve gathered over 30 years of teaching elementary general music—blending creativity, structure, and flexibility in one easy-to-use platform.
MFE is built around the National Core Arts Standards and follows a spiral curriculum design, ensuring students are singing, moving, playing, and creating in every unit. Whether you're teaching in-person, remotely, or somewhere in between, MFE has something to offer every classroom and teaching style.
Why Should You Check Out This Session?
In “Sing, Move, Play, and Create with MusicFirst Elementary,” you’ll get a closer look at how the curriculum supports:
🎶 Singing & Active Music Making at the heart of every unit
🧩 Creative Tools like a kid-friendly DAW to compose, score, and explore sound
🎼 High-quality, beautifully scored repertoire that’s developmentally appropriate and fun
🛠️ Customizable lessons and units, so you can tailor content to fit your strengths and your students’ needs
🧑🏫 Teacher-friendly navigation and planning, with clear connections to Orff, Kodály, and other pedagogical approaches
🌍 Engaging content, including seasonal songs, cultural connections, interactive games, and more
You’ll also see how MFE supports organization, sub plans, and fresh repertoire—making it easier to keep your classroom thriving all year long. This session is on Wednesday, July 9, 1:30 PM EST.
Ready to Join Us?
Whether you’re a first-year teacher or a seasoned educator looking to recharge, the Elementary Music Summit is a goldmine of inspiration and support.
🗓️ Dates: July 7–11, 2025
💻 Location: Online (attend from anywhere!)
🎟️ Cost: FREE (with an optional All-Access Pass for extended access and bonuses)
👉 Click here to register for free and learn more!
I hope you’ll explore how MusicFirst Elementary can empower you and your students to sing, move, play, and create like never before. Let’s make this the most musical school year yet!
Your best school year yet! Join Me at the Elementary Music Summit!
If you’ve ever felt like you were thrown into elementary music teaching with little prep and had to figure it out all on your own—you’re not alone. That’s exactly why I’m thrilled to invite you to the free 5-day Elementary Music Summit®, happening July 7–11! This online event is packed with practical tips, fresh lesson ideas, and real talk from music educators who get it. You’ll leave feeling energized, inspired, and ready to take on the new school year with confidence. Plus, there’s a private community where you can ask questions, connect with other teachers, and find your music teacher BFFs. Want lifetime access and tons of extras? There’s even an All-Access Pass at a special price—but only until the summit ends. Trust me—you don’t want to miss this. 🎶 Grab your free ticket here!
Read More#TeacherTipTuesday: Two Helpful Items This Year!
I Always Pack My Music Room in a Panic—But Last Year, I Bought Two Things My Future Self Loved
Let’s be honest… end-of-year packing feels like a frantic escape scene. But last year, I ordered two classroom items before I left—and wow, my September self was so thankful. Plus, here's what I’m up to this summer (hint: tech tools, student motivators, and Broadway adventures!). 🎶✨
Wanna Try MusicFirst Elementary For Free?
For the 25-26 school year, I am looking for elementary music teachers to try MusicFirst Elementary as a supplementary or main curriculum for their elementary music classes. Read more…
Read MoreWe Will Rock You Play-Along for Pitched and Unpitched Instruments
The Summer Olympics evoked deep emotions as I cheered on athletes. Inspired by the event, I enhanced a music lesson on Queen's "We Will Rock You" to cater to both advanced and novice students. The lesson includes teaching tools like manipulatives, melodic phrases, and dance breaks. Options for presenting the content include video, score, pitched, and unpitched instruments. Remember that you can use my YouTube channel or if the video is too busy, my Soundslice channel to turn off some of the busyness.
Read MorePlay-Along Video Inspired by Kodály and Orff Schulwerk Approaches: Doggie, Doggie
Still teaching? I like to end my year or begin a holiday break with my younger students playing music activities that reinforce musical skills like steady beat, piano and forte, sol-mi-la combinations, movements, and more. Here is an activity using Doggie Doggie. It involves the movement game, singing sol-mi-la combinations, and a simple orffestration/boomwhacker arrangement, all in one video.
Read More