Elemental Conversations with Victoria Boler

When students are out of class, it can be tricky to know exactly how to plan lessons. How can we serve the students in the classroom while leaving space for the musicians who are absent?

——

Find the full show notes at https://victoriaboler.com/elemental-conversations 

Let’s Connect: 

 Website  | Instagram  | YouTube  | Website | Planning Binder

How can we use instruments to teach melody in a way that is integrated, not isolated? What does the process look like if we don’t have access to barred instruments?

Today we’ll talk about the process of teaching melodic elements. We’ll look at what the learning progression looks like with and without instruments, and what to do if you sense students need to back up and review before moving forward.

-

Find the full show notes at https://victoriaboler.com/elemental-conversations 

Instagram link

Youtube link 

Website link

Planning Binder link

Find the full show notes at https://victoriaboler.com/elemental-conversations 

We can do a lot in a short amount of class time! Here are some ways to maximize the music experiences, even in 25 minutes.

The best composers in the world have never met your students! You and your choir members may be the most capable arrangers of your own choral music. Here are some simple ways to get started.

-

Find the full show notes at victoriaboler.com/podcast/arranging-repertoire-for-elementary-choir

Here are some ways to review and refresh your semester.

We’ll talk about the importance of looking backwards to go forward with our review project.

We’ll talk about the importance of knowledge transfer when we review, and the role that creative processes (improvisation / arranging) play.

We’ll think about ways we can move students’ creative work outside the walls of the music classroom.

Last, we’ll discuss how students can take charge of reviewing, self-assessing, and planning for next semester.

————-

You can find the complete review projects inside The Planning Binder, or purchase them as stand-alone projects.

Use the code, REVIEW to get 50% off these projects (offer valid through December 1st).

Find the full show notes at https://victoriaboler.com/elemental-conversations

Here’s one example of how we might organize resources for teaching 1st grade rhythm.

We’ll use a concept plan, or a place we can document our goals, repertoire, and learning activities. When we have these resources in one place, lesson planning is more intentional and streamlined.

You can find the full show notes here: victoriaboler.com/podcast/organizing-resources-to-teach-1st-grade-rhythm

“One thing that I struggle with is the availability of too many resources! Any tips? I wind up feeling so guilty when I don’t get to a particular song or activity, but I can’t do it all…”

The internet is a big place! That can make it overwhelming when we look for lesson ideas - how will we choose the most intentional lesson ideas, while keeping track of all the things we find interesting?

Find the full show notes here: https://victoriaboler.com/elemental-conversations

Here are some examples of how musical experiences can be threaded together across lessons. We’ll look at specific teaching activities for syncopa from The Planning Binder’s November monthly plan.

_______

This is a quick “espresso shot” episode. My hope is that it’s an actionable teaching idea that applies some larger principles, and gives you some inspiration on your drive to work. 

________ 

Find the show notes at victoriaboler.com/elemental-conversations

In the last episode we talked about structuring the lesson around musical concepts, instead of activities. Let’s think about some ways to apply concept-based teaching with upper elementary and the rhythmic pattern, “synco-pa,” or ta-di—di.

Syncopa (ta-di-di) songs:

Bump Up Tomato

Weevily Wheat

Surfin’ U.S.A - Beach Boys

Alabama Gal (or) Count On Me - Bruno Mars

Find the show notes at victoriaboler.com/elemental-conversations

________ 

This is a quick “espresso shot” episode. My hope is that it’s an actionable teaching idea that applies some larger principles, and gives you some inspiration on your drive to work.

Should we organize our lessons around activities or around musical concepts? There are pros and cons to both! Find the full show notes here: https://victoriaboler.com/elemental-conversations