Coding Music Instrument Apps in Hopscotch & Tynker

Why should we bring coding into the music room? Because not only is it cross curricular and ticking the STEAM methodology of teaching, it is also asking our students to think about the fundamentals of music. What is it we need to consider when making an instrument? Pitch, melody, and/or beat, rhythm, tempo and tone … Continue reading Coding Music Instrument Apps in Hopscotch & Tynker

Teaching Music Made Easy for the Classroom Teacher

If you are a classroom teacher I understand how teaching music can be very daunting but I can tell you that I was in your shoes 10 years ago. Without having any university training in teaching music I just happened to be the closest there could be to a Classroom Music Teacher in my rural … Continue reading Teaching Music Made Easy for the Classroom Teacher

iPads and QR Codes in the Classroom

This month I presented my first Professional Development workshop at the Music Technology in Education Conference in Melbourne, Australia, on using iPad's in the music classroom. I had really great feedback from the participants and hope to do more presentations around Australia in the next 12 months. iPad's and QR Codes Part of my presentation was on using QR codes to provide … Continue reading iPads and QR Codes in the Classroom

Combining Garage Band & iMovie in the Music Classroom

On a student free day last year my son inspired me to combine Garage Band and iMovie as a fun way to fill a rainy day spent inside. It started off as any normal day teaching Oscar his piano lesson until he decided he wanted to record the song he was practicing 'Icecream' in Music … Continue reading Combining Garage Band & iMovie in the Music Classroom

Planning IB PYP in the Specialist / Single Subject Classroom

With no prior experience with teaching in an IB PYP school, starting out last year in my new school as the Classroom Music Teacher was quite a daunting experience.  I was truly blessed though to have great support in my Principal and other staff members who encouraged me to teach my music program from my … Continue reading Planning IB PYP in the Specialist / Single Subject Classroom