Winter Blahs? Bringing Pizzazz to Your Teaching Practice

The gray slushy days of mid-winter can definitely affect energy levels for both you and your students. You may be surprised at how refreshing old routines can result in a more positive outlook and facilitate gains at the same time. Here are some ways to pep up your teaching in the new year.

Change it up!

Do you always begin class with a series of warm-ups or other predictable activity? What if students arrive with a mystery tune to sight read and then identify? Or begin a session by listening to a recording and noting observations about tone, melody, rhythm or other patterns?

Suggested resource: Essential Listening Activities for the Classroom

Mix it up

Invite students or sections to try rehearsing in a different seating arrangement one or more days per week so that learners have the opportunity to hear each other from a variety of positions.

Add something new

Has your group ever played or sung original student compositions? Initiate a student composition festival or fair. This could be as small or large as you are up for. Imagine the possibilities.

Suggested resources: Creative Composition Toolbox , Musical Doodles

Move across disciplines

Provide paper and watercolors for students to create artwork as they listen to a new piece. Encourage them to feel the music in a different way and express their reaction visually before learning to play it.

Suggested resource: Teaching Music Across the Curriculum

Connect

Are there potential audiences who might benefit from hearing your students? Nearby senior centers or preschools? Onsite adult learning, special education, or child care? Reach out and see the uplifting effects bounce back for you and your students.

Solve a problem

Repetitive practice routines can dull our ability to reach higher levels of mastery. Approaching practice sessions with a goal to meet challenges us to work more efficiently. With this in mind, design ways for students to actively problem solve as they practice by spending a few extra minutes making practice puzzles such as secret codes or escape room scenarios for them to unlock as they navigate music skills. A bingo sheet for home practice can also be effective; encouraging students to practice in unexpected places or playing for a relative, friend or pet are some fun examples of ways to make practice more exciting. And that free space in the middle of the board is so fun to cross off, right?

Suggested resource: Simultaneous Learning Practice Starter Cards

Our brains benefit from novel input and especially from switching the order of activities. Bring the sunshine back by trying something new this winter and watch your students soar!