What's everything for a music classroom?
September 12, 2024 8:26 PM Subscribe
I've been put in charge of developing a wishlist for my new K-4 music classroom! We're also going to do some other things tangential to music. What are all the things (with a few exceptions) I need to set up the space?
I'm a new music teacher, though not a new teacher. I've been put in charge of building an elementary school music program that has been neglected for at least five years. At some point someone bought a pile of new keyboards, and there are some boxes of recorders I'm going to quietly send to "file 13." Apart from that, there are just a few scattered things, most of which are in need of repair.
So what are all the materials you would want to order for Kindergarten through Fourth grade classroom? Instruments, movement materials for when they get tired of scarves, good resources, classroom elements down to paper and pencils. The admin is also interested in having some folk dance and drama, so what are some favorite things for that? There is no Art department. Think US K-4 public school, about 550 kids, kids getting services etc. I don't actually know what the budget might be, but let's ballpark US $3,000. *Also I have been told that anything that doesn't fit on this year's budget can be considered for next year, so think big!*
PS - yes, the school year's started already, but we don't have the room anyway because of building issues. But we've been getting by with pretty great outdoor weather, a cart and a guitar. It's good for now.
I'm a new music teacher, though not a new teacher. I've been put in charge of building an elementary school music program that has been neglected for at least five years. At some point someone bought a pile of new keyboards, and there are some boxes of recorders I'm going to quietly send to "file 13." Apart from that, there are just a few scattered things, most of which are in need of repair.
So what are all the materials you would want to order for Kindergarten through Fourth grade classroom? Instruments, movement materials for when they get tired of scarves, good resources, classroom elements down to paper and pencils. The admin is also interested in having some folk dance and drama, so what are some favorite things for that? There is no Art department. Think US K-4 public school, about 550 kids, kids getting services etc. I don't actually know what the budget might be, but let's ballpark US $3,000. *Also I have been told that anything that doesn't fit on this year's budget can be considered for next year, so think big!*
PS - yes, the school year's started already, but we don't have the room anyway because of building issues. But we've been getting by with pretty great outdoor weather, a cart and a guitar. It's good for now.
Best answer: My son’s class worked with melodicas, which I liked a lot better than other beginner’s options like the recorder.
I had an Orff-train led music teacher at that age, and I remember really liking the whole “take the wrong notes off the xylophone” thing.
Finally, this may be random, but in my experience kids (and everyone, really) is fascinated by the cuica friction drum. Get one to have in the classroom for them to try! And/or an inexpensive theremin.
posted by umbú at 9:34 PM on September 12, 2024 [1 favorite]
I had an Orff-train led music teacher at that age, and I remember really liking the whole “take the wrong notes off the xylophone” thing.
Finally, this may be random, but in my experience kids (and everyone, really) is fascinated by the cuica friction drum. Get one to have in the classroom for them to try! And/or an inexpensive theremin.
posted by umbú at 9:34 PM on September 12, 2024 [1 favorite]
A year long subscription to Music K-8 magazine by Plank Road Publishing. I taught music for 8 years and it was a must have.
posted by pearlybob at 2:17 AM on September 13, 2024
posted by pearlybob at 2:17 AM on September 13, 2024
tambourine, jingle bells, egg shakers
posted by crime online at 6:49 AM on September 13, 2024
posted by crime online at 6:49 AM on September 13, 2024
Best answer: Some Kalimbas /Mbiras / Thumb pianos. If you don't have a real acoustic piano, I would make sure there's at least one traditional toy pianos with brass tines (not cheapy digital keyboards). I do like melodicas but in 2024 I don't think anyone should be sharing wind instruments, so that's the kind of thing that should be bought for each student or not at all. They are basically impossible to thoroughly clean, same as a harmonica.
Kids love little sound recording gizmos. Brand New Noise makes nice sturdy simple stuff, like this little audio recorder with a loop switch and pitch shift.
posted by SaltySalticid at 7:31 AM on September 13, 2024 [1 favorite]
Kids love little sound recording gizmos. Brand New Noise makes nice sturdy simple stuff, like this little audio recorder with a loop switch and pitch shift.
posted by SaltySalticid at 7:31 AM on September 13, 2024 [1 favorite]
Best answer: I would consider having a variety of different classifications of instruments:
ideophones
aerophones
cordophones
membranophones
And maybe have a unit where the kids make their own.
My school used Kodaly for teaching early music, which I loved. Note shapes were given words for getting the timing (ta ta ti-ti ta). The teacher had a felt board that she could put notes on and we were encouraged to make our own rhythms that the class could then play on percussion instruments (bells, sanding blocks, etc). Later we did solfege with moveable-do.
The nice thing about Kodaly is that it doesn't need a lot of props.
posted by plinth at 9:03 AM on September 13, 2024 [1 favorite]
ideophones
aerophones
cordophones
membranophones
And maybe have a unit where the kids make their own.
My school used Kodaly for teaching early music, which I loved. Note shapes were given words for getting the timing (ta ta ti-ti ta). The teacher had a felt board that she could put notes on and we were encouraged to make our own rhythms that the class could then play on percussion instruments (bells, sanding blocks, etc). Later we did solfege with moveable-do.
The nice thing about Kodaly is that it doesn't need a lot of props.
posted by plinth at 9:03 AM on September 13, 2024 [1 favorite]
Re: the melodicas—it’s true, in my son’s class they all had their own.
posted by umbú at 9:14 AM on September 13, 2024
posted by umbú at 9:14 AM on September 13, 2024
I have a strong opinion. By all means have a variety of instruments that the kids can experiment with at their convenience but please buy a bunch of decent quality acoustic guitars sized for kid hands (since you already have keyboards). They are portable, sound good, and are integral to the contemporary music that most kids like. Disclosure: I have a bizarre hatred for ukuleles (unless played by a virtuoso).
posted by Depressed Obese Nightmare Man at 9:24 AM on September 13, 2024
posted by Depressed Obese Nightmare Man at 9:24 AM on September 13, 2024
Drummer bias here, but any percussion is good for the soul. Cajons, bongos, cowbells, tambourines, guiros, and/or shakers are all affordable, easy to learn, and musically engaging.
posted by jmfitch at 12:37 PM on September 13, 2024
posted by jmfitch at 12:37 PM on September 13, 2024
Second percussion for younger kids. Percussion is great to get them into music. Wooden percussion sticks to help them keep rhythm and drums and shakers. Kids love them and they are accessible. Once you have them following rhythm, you can teach the length of notes and then maybe transition to clapping to rhythm. Mr. Henry's Music World on Youtube is amazing to clap along to in age groups to find the rhythm. This would require a computer and projection board but I think the kids would love it. Especially the Super Mario, Pokemon and other music rhythms.
In older grades, you can get into teaching music by ear but you need a good keyboard to find the pitch. I would use a big puppet to help them repeat notes with the puppet.
posted by ichimunki at 6:15 PM on September 13, 2024
In older grades, you can get into teaching music by ear but you need a good keyboard to find the pitch. I would use a big puppet to help them repeat notes with the puppet.
posted by ichimunki at 6:15 PM on September 13, 2024
Premade rhythm sticks are expensive. They are easily made from a study wood dowel.
posted by kathrynm at 10:38 AM on September 14, 2024
posted by kathrynm at 10:38 AM on September 14, 2024
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Possibly also a stereo with a CD player AND bluetooth, and a bluetooth + wire mic and speaker set, so you have many options for playing music to listen to.
posted by blnkfrnk at 8:49 PM on September 12, 2024 [1 favorite]