If there’s one thing that has completely transformed my classroom management, it’s this: Make everything musical or rhythmic. Music activates both hemispheres of the brain and instantly creates a playful, engaging tone. And when things feel playful, students are so much more likely to participate and follow expectations. Here are some of my favorite ways to bring music into your daily routines: 🎶 Beginning of Class Songs Start your class the same way every day with a simpl

As a Music Teacher, I find myself trying to explain the importance of respect to my students at the beginning of every school year. I’ve found that respect can be quite an abstract concept for younger students. We tell them to show respect, but forget to tell them HOW. It’s important to give kids practical steps for showing respect so that they can be successful. We are happy to inform you that we’ve created a song, lesson plan, activities and PowerPoint slides just for this

One of my favorite things about Mr. Rogers was his ability to dialogue with kids. On “Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood,” he would always propose thoughtful, open-ended questions to kids. He would ask intentional questions, then express genuine interest in their answers. Mr. Rogers would often engage in vulnerable storytelling that helped the viewers understand the larger concept he had in mind. And most importantly, he would always remain calm. It’s important to dialogue with the kid

Breathing. It’s so simple, yet so integral to human life. We don’t often think about our breathing until we exercise or are distressed. But what if we did? Studies show that conscious breathing, meditation, and mindfulness are linked to decreased levels of stress, helping to control emotions, and slowing down our heart rate. This is why conscious breathing is a huge part of Social Emotional Learning. By teaching kids breathing techniques, they can learn how to regulate their

“How are you feeling today?” A simple, yet powerful, question. Sometimes we can go through an entire day without being asked or asking ourselves this question. As a teacher, when I ask my students how they’re feeling, they are given the opportunity for self-assessment. When kids assess their own emotions, they are more likely to effectively manage stress, control impulses, and achieve goals. An emotional check-in also forges a stronger rapport between teacher and student, or

Trust. Respect. Smiling Faces. Impactful Relationships. These words don’t need to be reserved to describe some Utopian, Pinterest-ready, picture-perfect classroom. They are all indicators of a positive learning environment that you can have with your students. You might be thinking, “Not my kids….you don’t know the kids at MY school…” But what I’m about to share with you has been researched and proven to work in the 20 largest urban school districts in the United States. No m