Wheel of Rhythm

Another way to add music to your classroom is by having a variety of rhythm instruments!  I like to have a lot of structure in these activities otherwise it can turn chaotic fast!  After multiple lessons on how to play each instrument (over the course of a few months) it's fun to mix it up a bit.  

The Wheel of Rhythm is something I made to do just that!  I start by passing out the instruments at circle.  I spin the top part (or have a child spin it) and whatever instrument appears in the window is what is played.  Usually to one of the "beats" we've learned or they choose their favorite.

Here's a close up of the 'window'.  There is also a window of green meaning 'everyone play' and red for everyone to stop!

This is just made from 2 pieces of poster board, some die cuts (that I did at Ben Franklin) and pictures I took of  instruments.  I printed them out so they are all the same size.  What makes it spin is a rivet used for scrapbooking.

Song Book

We all know so many songs for the classroom!  Some general fun songs, some seasonal or holiday songs, songs for specifics units we're studying...but I always had a hard time organizing them.  I wanted them all in one spot to make it easy to access while in the moment at circle or when I'm doing my circle time lesson plans according to a theme.  So this is what I made.  

I just spent a few weeks ( a little each night) typing out the lyrics to the songs I wanted to include and grouped them by topic.  I put them in sheet protectors and into a 3 ring binder. When I started there wasn't this many but I add to it a little each year as I think of it or when we're studying something new and I've learned new songs.  I save it in a Word Document so I can easily add to it in the right place.

This is the first page just to give you an idea of what it looks like.  General hello songs are always good to know and have a variety on hand to start each morning with at circle!

I play guitar as well so if I know the chords I also put them in there as well so that's easy access too!

The dividers separating the topics by subject, holiday, or theme.

Magic Song Bag :)

It seems like one of the most important aspects of the classroom is music.  Singing, instruments, and movement activities can bring everyone together and help strengthen the classroom community.  Songs are often one of the things kids "bring home" from school.  When asked, "What did you do at school today?" they often can't remember as far as work they did or lessons they had because they are so fluidly moving from one activity to another.  However, if asked, "What did you sing at circle today" they can often remember the songs and then teach the song to their families!  It's probably the most common thing I hear from parents...what songs the kids are talking about and singing at home!  What a great home-school connection!

A few years back I started the "Magic Song Bag".  Just using the word magic gets everyone instantly engaged!  At our school one of the jobs on the job chart is 'songs'.  This child (switched weekly) gets to choose the songs out of the song bag everyday at circle.  Usually 1-2 depending on the time we have and the length of the song.  It also allows for much diversity in what we're singing everyday.  It's so easy to just get stuck in your song rut and sing the same ones over and over again!  

I have about 25-30 'song cards' in the bag all illustrated to represent the song title.  Below are six of some commonly known preschool songs.  "When ducks get up in the morning, Tiny Tim, Fly Like a Butterfly, Rainbow, ABC's in sign language, and I am a Pizza'.
Once we sing the song we hang up the card on the wall by circle to help keep track of what we've sang and so the parents can see too!

This is a well loved activity everyday and never gets old!  I do want a more beautiful song bag and am keeping my eyes peeled.  This is just what I had on hand when I started this and it works just fun!  I'd just prefer something a bit more lovely :)