Music Classroom Reveal 2022-2023

2022-2023 Music Classroom Reveal 

After teaching at home, then outside for a year due to Covid, then inside but masked & 6-feet apart, this year music class will be housed in the music room.  

And my heart is grateful.

So, this year, decorating my classroom feels extra special.  The guitar wall feels like home, the Orff instruments are comforting, being back with my piano brings me great joy, and I'm also changing up the seating & layout!

Guitars

There are a collection of Yamaha & Epiphone acoustic guitars on the slat wall, each named after famous guitarists such as Jimi Hendrix, Joan Jett, Bob Marley, & even Taylor Swift to maximize student engagement.

I've added zz plants & in-guitar units to keep the guitars appropriately humidified.  I love the greenery - it adds such a beautiful quality to the classroom.

Xylophones & Metallophones

Some prefer to keep these large instruments stored away, but I'm fortunate enough to have built-in wall units that were custom made for instruments!

When the instruments are in use, the labels are exposed so students can put away instruments efficiently and accurately.  I'm loving the subtle star labels because they fit my theme for the year but can be used for multiple years!

Ukuleles & mixed percussion

Above the xylophones, metallophones, & glockenspiels are ukuleles.  Until I get these puppies wall mounted, they'll stay boxed for safety.

The hand-held percussion instruments such as tambourines, claves, shakers, triangles, etc. are collected in the corner adjacent to the Orff instruments as well.  

Bulletin Boards 

As I've said, stars are my theme this year, so the 2 big bulletin boards on the west side of the classroom feature stars.

The first one kids see is this one with growth mindset posters.  "You Belong among the stars" is the central theme & mixed in with the star song lyrics are rainbows & moons.  

You can snag your copies here.

The 2nd bulletin board my kiddos will encounter is the Recorder Bulletin Board.  It has recorder fingerings for my 3rd grade musicians who are embarking on the recorder this fall!  To see it, head to my teacher 'gram.

And finally, the last bulletin board I have is located behind the bookshelf which doubles as my work station or desk.  It gets changed out each season & currently features
gentle reminders to be kind, do your best, & work together, all with adorable autumn watercolor accents.

Books

I so love books!  I love back to school books, Inclusive books, music books, silly books, SEL books, the list goes on!  Here are my top 5 must have books for music class.

Seating

There are 2 distinct areas in the music room at the moment.  

The 1st seating area will be used for kids needing to read lyrics from the board, play percussion instruments as an ensemble, read books, dance scarf routines, & play music games requiring space.

The 2nd space centers around the piano.  I have 18 chairs set up for classes, but the cabinets contain 40 more chairs for choir rehearsals.  When students sing together or play ukulele, chairs help maintain good posture. 

Behind the piano, "Be You" is displayed as a reminder that students are celebrated as they are for who they are.

The door goes straight outside, so to ensure students feel welcome right away, I've added this sticker. 

 

The inclusive nature of the classroom is evident in many ways, not just for LGBTQ+ youth, but in the books displayed, & the solfege posters.  

Being a safe space matters.  

Let's say that again for those in the back:  BEING A SAFE SPACE MATTERS!

Oh, and I can't possibly reveal this year's classroom without showing you my QR code to my sub tub, now can I?!

I printed out my sub tub then added a QR code so that a substitute could come in, scan the code, and get a digital copy of the sub plans in addition to the hard copies in the sub tub itself!

The thing people comment on the most in my room is either the guitar wall or the hanging boomwhackers.

What's your favorite element of your music classroom?  LMK in the comments below or reach out on Instagram.

Have a great school year!