Tips for NEW MUSIC TEACHERS Teaching Elementary Music

[@maarinesper3299]

I was just hired as a music teacher after 20 years as a classroom teacher. I will be teaching 4th-6th. I’m super excited, but this is also new territory for me! Your video is giving me all kinds of great ideas! Thank you!

[@BeccasMusicRoom]

Congrats! You’re going to have waaaay more fun!

[@maarinesper3299]

@@BeccasMusicRoom update! They moved me down to teach TK-3rd at two different schools. I will have 600 students! Yikes!

[@hugo07260]

@@maarinesper3299 my most important teacher was my 4th-8th grade music teacher so good luck on your class!

[@kamhardee8558]

As a new teacher I really appreciate these being free! You are a godsend 😭

[@momikal2238]

This is pure gold. I’ve taught for 25 years, and this is spot on. Thanks Becca! I loved your idea of the eye contact as a routine for the teacher. I’m going to use this idea daily. Yes, with 25 different classes-you are so right about the details. They have another teacher all day, and it’s easy to forget that sometimes. 🤣

[@BeccasMusicRoom]

I’m glad you agree with more experience! Yes! Eye contact is a weird thing to suggest but it’s so crucial!

[@PaulaRodMar]

Hello Becca, I am a music teacher from Madrid, Spain. I wanted to thank you because your videos are so useful for me! You give me so many good ideas and motivation! I use a lot of your songs and resources in my lessons. I hope you are well and I wish you the best!

[@BeccasMusicRoom]

You are so welcome! Thanks for being here!

[@timekatucker]

Great info, thank you! 😊

[@yb3037]

Hi Becca, I love your clear and straightforward topics that you presented here. First of all I want to thank you for sharing your knowledge with the world here! I have been teaching tertiary level (not music) for the past 18 years. I just went through an interview for a position teaching preschoolers in groups of 12 per class. If my interview is successful, I will need to plan for a year end concert in a month time. Do you think it's even possible since I don't know what they have done until now?

[@gaiahubbard5659]

You are adorable. Thank you for this awesome video!

[@isabel.mercedes]

I'm going into my third year of teaching music but my summer was lit and I honestly forgot everything

[@MrsWhitbecksMusicClass]

Do you offer your lesson plans anywhere? I have no teaching background and just started 3 weeks ago. Feeling overwhelmed and lost lol

[@alyssamorales8013]

Hi. I am newly graduated from a masters in teaching program and would like to be a lower elementary general education teacher, but all that is available to me right now is a K-5 Music position. I do not have a background in music but I’m excited for a fun challenge. I was a dancer and performed in a musical, did choir for a year in HS, taught preschool (where you sing a lot) and have only general familiarity with music. I don’t even know how to play an instrument outside of learning the ukulele off of KZbin a few years ago and am feeling super under qualified. This video is my first dive into “getting educated” on being a music teacher. Do you have any advice on where to even start? I’m excited to learn but feel like it’s going to be an extra challenge for me since I don’t have a degree/background in music.

[@BeccasMusicRoom]

First of all, congrats! Second, you’ll have way more fun teaching music. You can totally get away without using instruments- you can use recorded music and you can do A LOT on the main 3 chords of the ukulele. Teach some songs, play lots of games, and you’re going to be great!

[@jesifaery6685]

Thank you so much for your perspective and helpful tips! I’m going back to school to become a music teacher and I have quite a long road of school to do. I feel like I’m already behind because I’ve been out of high school for almost 10 years now. If you don’t mind me asking, how old were you when you first started teaching? And do you have any advice for someone starting later in life?

[@JonnyBass1981]

I've been a guitar and bass instructor for over a decade... an elementary school near me has an opening for a k-6 general music teacher.. I don't have full classroom experience but wondering if anyone has advice on the transition from teaching one one lessons and full classroom. Thanks

[@JonnyBass1981]

I should also add that I do not have teaching license in my state but I can get an emergency license.

[@MusicUniversalLanguage]

Great ideas 🎻🎵👍👍👍

[@zojanyo]

Hi- how do I find the links to other videos? I don’t see them. Thank you!

[@juanspets-hx5vm]

I love your videos, but I feel compelled to point out that neurodivergent people may have not be able to make eye contact consistent or at all. It can be painful for some of us and it can actually make it harder for us to listen.

[@jennettesockwell2474]

Can you please explain which clicker you bought to use with your Google slides?

[@BeccasMusicRoom]

It's just a super cheap one off Amazon that has a thumbdrive

[@jdmon7]

Have you ever taught music privately? If so how does that compare?

[@BeccasMusicRoom]

I never have! My husband used to teach trombone but I’ve never done it. It’s totally different though- one on one v one on 30 is totally different

[@billiegt]

Kids in my public school mostly scream all the time I can't do anything amd if I scream I will only make it worse

[@BeccasMusicRoom]

Unfortunately, this is a common problem, and I've been there. It will not be easy, but the first thing that you need to do is teach them when to be quiet. Get a quiet symbol or call back, and PRACTICE. Every time you do the call back and they get quiet, give them a point towards game time or a stick or something. With really unruly classes, utilize videos. Body percussion play alongs and rhythm play alongs are great, because you can get everyone focused on that while you put out fires and deal with other things. It is possible to get them under control (again, been there many times) but it's not easy. I'm sorry you're dealing with that. Hope a few of these things help.

[@billiegt]

@@BeccasMusicRoom yes thank you I will try body percussion videos I hope it works 🙏

[@chillsmith9622]

Remembering names has been my biggest issue.

[@BeccasMusicRoom]

It can be really hard but I have a whole video about that!

[@kamhardee8558]

@MrsRisonMusicsuch a good idea! I love it!