That Music Podcast: A Podcast for Elementary Music Teachers

In this episode, we explore a topic often overlooked in elementary music education: differentiation. It's easy to assume that differentiation is mainly for students with IEPs. However,  differentiation can benefit all students in the music classroom.

Episode Chapters:

• 2:46 What is Differentiation?

•  4:28 Strategies

•  7:45 Assessments

•  10:47 A Deeper Look

Links and Resources: 

• Elementary Newbie Guide
• Disabilities Guide
• Steady Beat Survival Guide
• That Music Teacher Masterclass

On this special episode of That Music Podcast, I reflect on the lessons I've learned over the course of the last 100 episodes. Join me for an inspirational chat on growth, learning, and reflection.

Links and Resources: 

• Elementary Newbie Guide
• Disabilities Guide
• Steady Beat Survival Guide
• That Music Teacher Masterclass

In this episode, we welcome special guest Jessica Grant to share her expertise on increasing engagement for middle school students. We'll explore practical tips and strategies for making music class more fun and interactive, while also promoting learning and growth.

Jessica Grant is a middle school general music educator in Dallas, Texas.  Each week you can tune into the How to Teach Music with Jessica Grant podcast as she shares practical ideas for engaging students, lesson content, and teaching strategies.  Jessica loves helping music educators find their voice, grow their confidence and find teaching strategies that work for them.  Jessica earned her BME at Lee University and her MME at SMU.  She is certified in both Kodály and Orff approaches.  When she's not teaching, she loves to spend time with her family, read fiction, bake desserts, and work out with the Peloton app.  Head to her website at www.jessicagrant.org for all things music education!

Episode Chapters:

• 2:40 Introduction
• 4:06 Orff-Schulwerk
• 9:10 Application
• 13:03 How To Start
• 15:55 Jessica’s Classroom
• 23:05 Lesson Ideas
• 35:13 Actionable Steps

Links and Resources: 

• Jessica's Instagram
• Jessica's Website
• Jessica's Podcast: How to Teach Music with Jessica Grant
• Jessica's Teachers Pay Teachers
• Rhythmische Ubung
• Elementary Newbie Guide
• Disabilities Guide
• Steady Beat Survival Guide
• That Music Teacher Masterclass

In this episode, I dive into the world of recorders in the elementary music classroom. If you feel like recorders are just instruments of torture, you won't want to miss this episode.

Links and Resources: 

• Elementary Newbie Guide
• Disabilities Guide
• Steady Beat Survival Guide

In this episode, I'm joined by the fabulous Becca Davis, and we're diving deep into the topic of engaging upper elementary students in your music class.

Episode Chapters:

• 2:24 Introduction

• 6:10 Challenges and Strategies

• 18:35 Resources and Takeaways

Links and Resources: 

• Elementary Newbie Guide
• Disabilities Guide
• Steady Beat Survival Guide
• That Music Teacher Masterclass
• Connect with Becca

In this episode of That Music Podcast, we're talking about the dreaded task of creating substitute teacher plans. I know it can be a daunting and time-consuming task. But fear not! I'm sharing some of my favorite tips and tricks for simplifying your sub plans and making your life as an elementary music teacher just a little bit easier.

Episode Chapters:

• 1:48 What Works For Me

•  6:00 Set Up For Success

•  7:42 Choice Day

•  10:48 Last Minute Plans

Links and Resources: 

• Elementary Newbie Guide
• Disabilities Guide
• Steady Beat Survival Guide
• Sub Plan Template
• Emergency Music Sub Plan Bundle
• Sub Plans for the Non-Music Sub
• Sub Plan Bundle with Games

In this episode of That Music Podcast, I share my heart-warming reflections from the 2023 OMEA conference with you. I was surrounded by so many amazing music teachers and the experience was truly amazing. I also dig into the importance of being surrounded by other music teachers and how it can bring a new level of inspiration and growth to your teaching. My heart is still overflowing with joy from the conference, and I can't wait to share it with you.

Episode Chapters:

• 1:28 Introduction
• 3:31 Connecting With The Community
• 5:27 What I found Special
• 5:55 My Workshop
• 8:26 Special Shoutout

Links and Resources: 

• Elementary Newbie Guide
• Disabilities Guide
• Steady Beat Survival Guide

Adrian Gordon is an internationally performed composer and seasoned music educator and currently serves as the director of orchestras at Providence Day School in Charlotte, NC. In addition to teaching, Adrian is the founder of Leap Year Music Publishing, which publishes string music for elementary, middle, and high school ensembles. His compositions appear on the Florida, Texas, Maryland, and Georgia Orchestra Association Music Performance Assessment Lists. His compositions are distributed through J.W. Pepper and have been performed throughout the world.

Links and Resources: 

• Connect with Adrian
• Get Adrian's Book: Note To Self
• Download the free Elementary Newbie Guide
• Download the free Disabilities Guide
• Download the free Steady Beat Survival Guide

In this episode, I share my favorite part of General Music Jumpstart.

Links and Resources: 

• General Music Jumpstart
• Download the free Elementary Newbie Guide
• Download the free Disabilities Guide
• Download the free Steady Beat Survival Guide

This extra special bonus episode is from a recording of a workshop I did this past week and it'll only be available to listen to for a limited time! Listen to this episode by January 23, 2023, and get ready to say goodbye to all the stress and hello to a whole new world of streamlined lesson planning and instruction!

Get ready to rock your lesson planning and instruction like never before!

Links & Resources

• Enroll in General Music Jumpstart