How Do You Plan for Lessons?

As you know, I started teaching 15 years ago.  One of the first things I did was acquire a spiral bound lesson plan book.  I used the book to record every lesson that I taught: objectives, materials needed, songs that I would sing, and the process I would use during class.  Does this look familiar?

Have you used one of these?

Of course, I kept every book, so now after 15 years of teaching, I have a whole row on my bookshelf occupied by years of lesson planners!  I do refer back to them, so I hate to get rid of them.

Now to some degree, this is efficient, and I always know where to go to find old lessons that were successful.  The problem is that I can't always remember in what month I taught the lesson, let alone the year...so I am often flipping through several old lesson planners at a time to hunt down a tried and true lesson.

So, this summer, my goal was to find a way of developing computerized a lesson planner that I could easily search, allowing me to keep a record of what I  have taught.  I had originally intended to create a lovely database in excel, perhaps using a template from Teacher's Pay Teachers.  But, then, I came across a relatively new website called commoncurriculum.com.  

This free site allows you to keep an online lesson plan book in which you can create lesson and unit templates, write lesson plans or upload previously created lessons, search and input standards from all 50 states, share homework on a class website, collaborate with other teachers on lessons, and easily drag and drop lessons in a calendar format.  The website was created by a teacher, and they are currently working on some wonderful updates slated to arrive fall.

So, my question to you is: How do YOU plan for lessons?  Are you still using paper and pencil (by the way, there is nothing wrong with that!)?  Have you switched to computerized lesson planning?  Do you use excel, an online program, or something else?

I am going to try commoncurriculum.com this year, and I'll be sure to report back in on my progress!

Orff Instruments, No Orff is More!

Orff Schulwerk is a daunting name I know, but a wonderful approach to teaching.  Educators who only read an article or two about Orff in their undergraduate classes, often describe it as a set of instruments. You'll sometimes hear music teachers say "Oh yes, I know a lot about Orff, I have a whole set of Orff Instruments," or "I need an Orffestration."  Unfortunately, this is a limiting view of Orff Schulwerk.

A selection of barred instruments: Xylophones,
Metallophones, and Glockenspiels!

By contrast, those who have taken levels training find that Orff Schulwerk refers to much more than just children's percussion instruments.  It is actually a philosophical approach to teaching that encompasses pedagogy, movement, singing, speech, poetry, play, composition, improvisation, and conceptualization of music. In my own teaching, the Schulwerk has become guiding light for the choices I make when teaching.

Here are some ways in which you can learn more about Orff Schulwerk:

1) Go to the American Orff Schulwerk Association (AOSA) home page.  Here you find videos, articles, and other great information on this philosophy that you can access immediately.

2) Read about the approach! Some of my favorite books include:

• Discovering Orff by Jane Frazee
• Exploring Orff by Arvida Steen
• Elementaria, Orff Schulwerk Introduction by Gunild Keetman

3) Take a class locally!  The are over 100 Orff Chapters in the United States.  Chapters typically offer classes on Saturdays, and this is a great way to get started. You do not need to have training in Orff Schulwerk to attend a chapter workshop--just a willingness to jump right in.  Here is a link to help you find your nearest chapter.

4) Attend an AOSA Professional Development Conference.  Again, you do not need to have training in Orff Schulwerk to attend as AOSA conference (which is held yearly).  The conference offers an introductory class to the approach, and the majority of conference workshop sessions are appropriate for those who are beginners to the method.  Click here to learn more about AOSA conferences.

Here I am, at the Orff Institute!

5) Finally, if you are up for it...attend levels training!  Levels training provide an in-depth experience of the approach. Levels classes typically run in the summer over a two week period.  They are held in a variety of locations throughout the United States and the world!  Click here to learn more about levels training.

I would highly recommend Orff training and or workshops to any music educator who interested in exploring music pedagogy.  It is a great way to engage in professional development, meet new colleagues, and enhance your understanding of music learning.

I have taken Levels 1, 2, and 3, and two master classes, but that wasn't quite enough for me, so this summer, I attended the Summer Course at the Orff Institute in Salzburg, Austria. What a great way to spend my summer vacation!

Welcome!

Hi,

My name is Sarah and welcome to my blog! I am an elementary general music teacher, as well as an adjunct College Instructor. I worked hard to obtain a Ph.D. in music education, and I have been teaching for over 15 years. This blog is intended for my colleagues (those I know and those I don't yet know!) who dedicate their lives to the profession of teaching children music. I have a passion for singing, Orff-Schulwerk, technology, and most of all, helping people. In the weeks and months to come, I intend to post articles intended to assist elementary music teachers in developing new ideas for instruction, curriculum, planning, and anything else that may positively impact the students we teach.

Come back soon!