Author Archives: Claire Burns

Using Centers in the Classroom | Orchestral Instrument Families Centers

Learning about and recognizing the instruments and instruments families of the orchestra is an essential concept in music education. What better way to reinforce and extend the learning of the orchestral instrument families than through the use of CENTERS!!  Why I Love Centers…. Student-Directed Learning   Centers allow student-directed learning, which is where I think effectiveContinue reading “Using Centers in the Classroom | Orchestral Instrument Families Centers”

100th Day of School Song with PowerPoint

A standard favorite this time of year in my classroom is “One Zero Zero” from Music K-8’s Volume 13, No. 3 issue.  If you have never seen this periodical/music magazine, you must check it out here!! Last year I created a PowerPoint to go along with the song to make it easier for my studentsContinue reading “100th Day of School Song with PowerPoint”

Friday Fave: Orchestra To-Do App for iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch

I have discovered an amazing productivity app for my iPhone that is FREE!!  I love apps that improve my life and if they’re free, even better! The Orchestra app for iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch offers much more than a simple to-do list: Assign tasks to people, even if they do not use Orchestra SyncsContinue reading “Friday Fave: Orchestra To-Do App for iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch”

Introduction to Soprano Recorder Music Video

This is a short video I made to use in my elementary music classroom to introduce the recorder. It has been very effective and my students seem to really get into it! This video makes the recorder “cool” and makes the students excited to play! I use it at the beginning of the first recorder classContinue reading “Introduction to Soprano Recorder Music Video”

Beginning Recorder Method Book: "Recorders Rock"

Presenting my original Recorder Method book, “Recorders Rock” (enter trumpet fanfare)!  Just kidding.  But seriously, I have finally completed my recorder method, “Recorders Rock.”  The title reflects me and my students’ sentiments about playing recorder.  It’s fun, awesome, and it “rocks!”This project started small and has over time taken on a life of its own.Continue reading “Beginning Recorder Method Book: "Recorders Rock"”

My Top 5 Favorite Christmas Albums

I love Christmas music and I can’t seem to get enough of it.  But my taste for Christmas music is a little less traditional.  Check out my Top 5 Favorite Christmas Albums of all time! 5. “Christmas Cheers” by Straight No Chaser – The super-talented men’s a cappella reformed from members of Indiana University, Straight NoContinue reading “My Top 5 Favorite Christmas Albums”

"Walking in the Air"

My Friday Flashback last week was a review of Raymond Briggs’ The Snowman, a truly classic holiday short musical film for all ages.  It was nominated for Best Short Film Oscar award back in 1982.  What makes this film so enchanting, I believe, is the music.  The score was composed by Howard Blake and his piece,Continue reading “"Walking in the Air"”

Fun Reindeer Music Flash Game

This game just resurfaced from the depths of the “oldies, but goodies” file stored in my brain.  A cute, fun activity, the game also reinforces pitch relationships and melodies.  Click on the reindeer noses or use the numbers on your keyboard to make each reindeer play a different pitch (appropriately, it is a tuba sound!)Continue reading “Fun Reindeer Music Flash Game”

Friday Flashback: The Snowman

A True Classic A timeless, classic in my house since childhood has been Raymond Briggs’ The Snowman.  It is not Christmas until we have watched the short film and read the book.  This picture is of our original VHS tape (remember those?!?) that parents have allowed me to inherit and continue the tradition with myContinue reading “Friday Flashback: The Snowman”