Today I’m thrilled to be sharing this conversation with my friend, Danielle Larrick about teaching middle school and upper elementary general music.

These grades can sometimes feel challenging to teach - our approach will look, feel, and sound very different from other grades we work with on a weekly basis. Students’ interests have shifted from their younger years, their social worlds are changing, and finding activities that match their motivation level can feel like a discouraging search.

Simultaneously, this age group is enthusiastic about ensemble collaboration, and their growing collection of musical skills and consciously-known concepts opens exciting music curriculum doors.

In this conversation Danielle skillfully walks us through ways to approach upper elementary and middle school general music. We talk about how to establish trust, what types of activities work well, and we even explore a drag-and-drop idea you can try right away to refresh your teaching.

01:58 - It’s Danielle!

02:30 - Danielle’s journey to middle school

05:47 - What do middle schoolers need?

09:01 - Establishing trust

16:12 - Keeping it simple - Activities that work

22:48 - Giving Options for Musical Challenges

26:30 - Everyone is a Musician

28:56 - Student Motivation & Activities

35:09 - Danielle’s Teaching Situation

36:08 - Music Workshops: Rhythm, Melody, Harmony

40:45 - Structures for Classroom Management During Projects

46:00 - Structuring the Chaos

48:38 - A Rhythm Activity to Try Tomorrow!

58:53 - Engagement and Independence

02:01:29 - The Confident Music Educator

02:06:10 - Quick Questions: What was a recent win in your classroom?

02:07:21 - Quick Questions: What is the next teaching project you’re excited about?

02:08:01 - Quick Questions: What makes you such a good middle school teacher?