All about my life

The countdown begins! 24 days until I go to Nashville for the American Orff Schulwerk Association conference!  I am so excited!!!!!! The size of the conference always blows my mind. So huge! I am so fortunate that I can go to this event and that professional development is so well supported in my school division.  I am most excited to see Artie Almeida (who will also be coming to present in here in Winnipeg in 2015!) and Jos Wuytack! I always love discovering a new clinician who I love! I can't wait for that!!! Check out the AOSA website to see who else is presenting and to register! AOSA also put together a fantastic video about Orff education. It would be great to show for parent info and music education advocacy within your school community! Check that out  HERE ! Are YOU going to Nashville???!!!! This Canadian would love to see you there! I would love to meet some of my blogger friends!

I have always loved using popsicle sticks for beginner rhythm readers. Modelling for them was always tricky though, so this year I decided to stick magnets on the back of some of my popsicle sticks. I used a cookie sheet on a music stand to help me model the activity for the class.  Super basic idea I know, and some of you may already do this, but after 5 years of popsicle stick rhythms it was like a lightbulb went on!  Using popsicle sticks today, grade 1 classes worked on creating 4 beat rhythms using ta and ti-ti for a partner to clap. We also practiced dictation activities using popsicle sticks, while I clapped a 4 beat pattern.  Do you love popsicle sticks too???!!!