14 Resources Every Music Educator Needs to Start School

14 Resources Every Music Educator Needs to Start School 

I wish there were only 4, Or better yet, just 1.  But the truth seems to live more in the ballpark of a dozen or more!

1. Class lists  

From students in your general music class to your choral roster, ya gotta know who is in your class.

2. Student Needs

Maybe your learning management system (LMS) has an icon by each student to indicate their medical needs, contact list, and links to any IEP.  If so, you're lucky!  However, if not, be sure to locate these. You don't want to be stuck after a concert unable to reach guardians with a young musician.

3. Curriculum

This is the bread & butter.  What you want to teach, your song selections, programmed repertoire, standards & objectives - everything! Get an outline here. 

It would be helpful to have a Scope & Sequence.  Here's one to get you started, but feel free to read more here.

4. Back to School Night or Open House Information

Think through classroom expectations & procedures, guidelines for participation, or key performance dates. 

5. Back to School Surveys 

Engaging kids on day one is vital.  Everything from using preferred names to understanding who takes outside lessons can be gathered with a simple survey.  There are many options that can be differentiate for a variety of ages.

6. Pre-tests

Pretests such as note assessment help inform what you will teach, how you will meet student needs, and allow you to pick the perfect pieces.

7. Back to School Classroom Expectations

What are the procedures for class? How do you enter? What if you need to use the washroom? Are there consequences? With this procedures list & behavior tracker, you can easily share this with students & parents this upcoming August & September.

 

8. Rubrics

Take away some of the subjectivity with rubrics.  This was such a game changer for my classroom.  Kids knew expectations, parents trusted grades, and I was able to use my time wisely! 

9. Gradebook

I'm obsessed with gradebooks.  I love them with a theme, I love them in Google Sheets, I love them when they fit standards-based grading, I love 'em all.  Well, at least the ones that work for music educators.

10. Seating Chart

Minimize disruptions, socializing at inopportune time, or battling over who can be nearest their beloved teacher with a seating chart.  Here's a freebie for you.

11. Sub Tub

Sometimes you're absent; and that's okay!  While it's unlikely that any person could simply walk into your space & handle your classroom like you do, start accumulating resources like color by rhythms or notes worksheets.  You can read more here.

12. Record keeper

Track your budget, songs, books, & inventory in a simple & collective place. I use Google Sheets personally.  It allows me to update easily, share with others, and keep records of instruments in a centralized location.

13. Calendar

Plan your performances & be sure to use your school's calendar to double check available dates. Do you have a performance opportunity for 9/11?  What about Thanksgiving or Winter Holidays?

14. Teacher Hub

Most of all, store all of this in your centralized TEACHER HUB!! It is perfect because you can link in any of the above resources, PD pages, Google Classroom or Canva, etc.