My Orff Corner. Behind it you can see I do a composer of the week. With my 4-6th graders, I have them enter each week and listen to a song. I ask them questions, we discuss it. It's a great way to get their critical thinking skills refined. I sometimes ask them what story do you think the composer is trying to tell you with the piece. What instruments do you hear? Is it forte or piano? Is it andante or allegro. Questions like that. In addition, I teach history that way. I'll teach them about the composer and that usually corresponds with the composer of the week.
Next to that is the giant keyboard I made last year for my first year teaching. The letters come off and I have set of the sharps and flats as well. I like to have kids race each other to see who can get the most letters correctly.
Another shot of my Orff corner. Last year I had 6 broken, in need of crazy repairs, instruments. This year I have 14 beautiful Orff instruments. Since this picture was taken I made signs to go on each instrument that labels them so it's easy for the children to find.
Another shot of the keyboard.
In my school, all the specials are using a stop sign discipline system this year so that the discipline is consistent throughout the school. We feel that the children will have an easier time understanding expectations if the discipline system is the same.
Also - the sign for the Vocab Wall. It was hanging OVER the Vocab wall (which is that chalkboard with the blue tape on it) but...the tape wouldn't stick to the concrete wall for more than a day. After three days I got tired of climbing on a chair to put it back up. So It's sitting there for now.
Some more instruments in the front of the class. Since this picture was taken, many more have been added to that table. I would LOVE to get some shelves or something to keep in a bit more organized.
23 drums! I had just 1 last year and the kids would fight over it. I'm so blessed to be here!
Lots of boomwhackers! I would LOVE to figure out a great way to store them so they are standing up on their own and out of the way. I saw pictures on another blog where the teacher put them in one of those book holders that classroom teacher keep in the front of their classes...I would just have no idea where to find one of those.
News. Chorus, Orchestra, and General Music. When I start the Orff ensemble, I will get that up there as well.
I made signs for my doors. One door is used for entering and one for exiting the room.
Shot of my room from the door you enter from. You can see my office back there, and 3 storage rooms beyond that. Again, this room is HUGE. I'm really blessed to be here!
Another shot of it. This time of the front.
This is what it looks like when you stand in my office and take a picture.
Door and window to my office.
I can't wait to start talking about my adventures in teaching my 2nd year of general music, chorus, orchestra, and Orff!
