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January is like the beginning of the school year so I thought I’d share my January back to school teaching tips with you. I’m including planning, management and activity ideas in this blog post.
I don’t know about you, but I dread returning Monday morning after the holiday break. Over the year’s I’ve accumulated some teacher tips that I think are essential for a smooth start to the New Year- Here’s some of my January back to school teaching tips.
Ok- It’s not the students-It’s not the teachers-It’s not the job-It’s me freaking out whether or not I’ll REALLY be ready for the whole first day. Yes, I have my power point ready with all my lessons! Yes, I have my lessons planned! Yes, I cleaned up all the Christmas and Holiday decorations! And, Yes, I have my snowman decor out–it’s just that first day trepidation of churning 150 students or more through my doors the first day back, knowing what’s lies ahead between now and the next break and it all get’s into one pile in my head and I do get a bit stressed out about it.
Maybe this isn’t you at all–maybe you don’t worry about anything! Hurrah!
If you do have some trepidation-for whatever reason-here are some teacher tips to help you out.
On the other hand, it’s tough for teachers too. Although I try to memorize all of my students names, I need to refresh my memory too!
One thing that helps me is to be vigilant about singing our hello song at the beginning of class and then singing everyone’s names again. This helps me and then to re-connect. I take my chart with me and walk around the room and look at them as I sing their name. I tell them I want to make sure I’ve got them all right here in my brain. They smile and this helps them feel safe again in my room and welcome. I’ll also get out my winter puppets to help me.
Moreover, here’s a blog post I wrote about singing and playing names games. There’s also a FREE RESOURCE! “Play Name Games for Music Class Back to School Fun”
And, you can use puppets in your classroom to build relationships and teach concepts. Read more about how I use puppets here: “Why I Use Puppets in Music Class”.
Although you’ve been teaching your students for half a school year, they’ve been gone for over a week. So you may need to review the rules and procedures.
Check out this easy to learn fun song that my students sing about personal space. I just pull this out for a review once in a while.
It goes to the tune of “If You’re Happy and You Know It”:
In addition, I go to my rules board and point out as I review the rules.
Maybe students can sing the rules!
Let’s sing about “Respect?”
Check out this original song “Respect” that I wrote to help students understand and show respect.
Review expectations the very first day back.
Definitely!
For example, one easy way to keep the mood fun and keep students engaged is to play a game. Here’s one I play with my upper elementary students.
Why?
Ideally, I like to play some kind of game with my older students and give them a chance to share a bit about their holiday vacation.
So, I made up some fun snow themed games. Or, Here’s a simple one you can use with a bean bag or a ball.
Have everyone sit in a circle.
Explain that everyone is going to get a turn to share something about their vacation. Ask students to come up with an idea that describes their favorite activity in 1 or 2 words. See the examples below.
Pat the steady beat on your knees.
Teacher begins with the bean bag.
Everyone chants:
Where do you go?
What do you do?
When you’re at home and not at school?
Try to keep playing the game until everyone has had a turn.
More games!
Here are some fun winter music games you can find in my TpT store!
Winter Rhythm Game “Would You Rather” L1 Rhythm Play Along
Winter Rhythm Crowns, Headbands, Hats: Decoding Rhythm Activities
Winter Rhythm Game “Toss The Snowballs” Rhythms K-6 Levels
On the other hand, most of all I think it’s important to connect with students again by making them feel like they want to come to the music room. You may feel a bit scattered or wishing you were still home in your P.J.’s, but if you do these things-then it will help you too get back into the swing of teaching.
In other words, it’s okay to go slow, or take your time getting through that first round of lessons again. Playing the games, singing a song and reviewing rules will give everyone a chance to get back into the “groove” of music class.
Looking for the January Music Class Free Resources?
SUBSCRIBE TO GET THESE FREE RESOURCES TODAY!
Winter Rhythm Activities LEVEL 1 : Compose and Rhythm Play Along Activities
Looking Winter Rhythm activities for your Kinder and First grade classes? Level 1 Winter Rhythm Activities includes Video, teaching presentation and google slides activities.
Winter and January elementary LEVEL 1 music rhythm activities with drag and drop google slides, digital images for online and in person music class lessons. These activities are interactive and engaging as well a s seasonally friendly for January elementary music lessons.
January Winter Music Lesson Bundle of Music Activities K-6
Don’t feel snowed under in January! Get the winter music lesson bundle with interactive activities for your K-6 elementary music classes.
You can easily get all of your elementary music lessons and activities for K-6 grade levels in this winter themed music lesson packet.
Sing and play your way easily through January Music Class with this 305 page bundle of Kodaly and Orff lessons, songs, games, activities and worksheets. Original and Fun with Video, Animations, Vocal and Karaoke Mp3 tracks now included with the songs for easy teaching. K-6!
Here’s hoping you glide right back into teaching in January!
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Hi there! I’m Sandra, one of the authors behind Sing Play Create. My goal is to provide teachers with interactive resources and activities to improve the effectiveness of their teaching and enhance student learning.
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