by Melissa Stouffer | Oct 22, 2024 | All, Manipulatives, Solfege
Putting music on the staff can start as early as 1st grade with students, and even younger if you are talking about high/low. Changing up manipulatives is a great way to keep lessons feeling fresh when you are using them often. Here are five staff manipulatives to use...
by Melissa Stouffer | Apr 2, 2024 | All, Folk Songs, Grades: 3-5, Music Games, Rhythm, Solfege
Upper Elementary and Middle School may be the worst offenders of the “I don’t want to sing” club. Finding engaging games for them to play while they HAVE to sing is one way to help break down that wall. Here are four of my favorite singing games for...
by Melissa Stouffer | Dec 5, 2023 | All, Folk Songs, Grades: 3-5, Grades: PreK-2, Rhythm, Season: Winter, Solfege
I know that while we are in full holiday mode right now, some teachers can’t use holiday songs in their classrooms. Whether you need things for winter come January, or you want to embrace the season without a holiday, here are two frosty songs for winter! Little...
by Melissa Stouffer | Oct 17, 2023 | All, Folk Songs, Grades: PreK-2, Rhythm, Solfege
Naughty Kitty Cat is a staple in my classroom. Not only can I use it to teach multiple concepts, I get to employ a puppet, it’s a fun game, and it’s one students ask for repeatedly. Let’s explore some of the ways I use Naughty Kitty Cat in my...
by Melissa Stouffer | Oct 11, 2022 | All, Folk Songs, Grades: 3-5, Grades: PreK-2, Holidays, Rhythm, Season: Fall, Solfege
I somehow think of Halloween as the ultimate kid holiday. Imagination, parties, candy for free. If you are in a school where you can celebrate Halloween in the classroom, these are some fabulous songs to still teach concepts, but celebrate the spooky season. Little...
by Melissa Stouffer | Sep 15, 2020 | All, Kodaly, Solfege
This 3-part post was drawn from my presentation for the Michigan Kodaly Educators in September of 2019. Missed Part 1 on common solfege questions and older beginners? Part 2 talks about prepare-present-practice and solfege terms for kids. If all you took in your...
