The Happy Music Teacher Jeanette Shorey

In this episode, we explore my highly effective drum circle strategy tailored for students with special needs. This method, ideal for special ed music activities, offers a structured yet flexible environment where students can thrive. By integrating opportunities for student leadership, creativity, and full participation, the drum circle not only engages students but also fosters their confidence and social skills. 
Repetition plays a crucial role in this strategy, enabling students to solidify their understanding and enhance their learning capacity. As they become familiar with the routine, their brains can process new information more efficiently, making each session a stepping stone for further growth.
The drum circle approach is a powerful tool in the arsenal of special ed music activities, particularly for students with autism and other developmental challenges. By incorporating various instruments such as maracas, rhythm sticks, tambourines, and drums, along with engaging movement activities and the popular use of scarves, the sessions become dynamic and inclusive. 
These activities not only cater to different sensory needs but also encourage expressive communication and physical coordination. Throughout the episode, we’ll explore how these strategies can be seamlessly integrated into your music classroom, providing valuable insights and resources to enrich your teaching practice and support your students’ musical journeys.
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Have a question? Email me jeanette@thehappymusicteacher.com
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Send me an email: jeanette@storiesthatsing.net
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These show notes may contain Affiliate links to certain products.  The Happy Music Teacher receives a percentage of the sales of these products.

In this episode of The Happy Music Teacher, Jeanette addresses a heartfelt question from Jaylen Fenner, an elementary music teacher struggling with feelings of inadequacy and burnout after teaching in a low-economic district. Jalen shares the challenges of balancing life skills and social-emotional regulation with foundational music instruction.
Jeanette offers compassionate and insightful advice, emphasizing the importance of the broader educational role that music teachers play. She reassures Jalen that the emotional and life skills imparted to students are just as crucial, if not more so, than traditional music fundamentals. Jeanette highlights that students will remember the care and life lessons long after they’ve left the classroom, underscoring the profound impact music teachers have on their students’ lives beyond the basics of music theory.
Jeanette also discusses innovative strategies for managing choir clubs, including using Google Classroom for music distribution and maintaining organization with Google Forms and Sheets. Throughout the episode, Jeanette’s supportive and encouraging tone reassures teachers like Jalen that their dedication to student well-being and love for teaching is invaluable.
This episode is a must-listen for any music educator feeling overwhelmed or doubting their impact, offering both emotional support and practical advice to rekindle their passion for teaching. Tune in to discover how you can support your students beyond basic music instruction and foster a lasting love for music.

In this episode of The Happy Music Teacher, Jeanette sits down with the amazing elementary music teacher Erin Elliott to discuss the critical role of creativity and joy in music education. Erin and Jeanette chat about how important it is to lay a solid musical foundation while making the learning process fun and engaging for young students. They share practical strategies on the best way to strike a balance between work and family life, and offer insightful tips to prevent burnout among music teachers. They also shed some light on why it’s necessary to rethink traditional music education methods to prioritize joy and creativity in the classroom.
Erin and Jeanette explore new and creative ways to incorporate improvisation, composition, and storytelling into an innovative music curriculum, aiming to create a joyful learning environment. They highlight the significance of meeting the diverse needs of all students and fostering a love for music that extends beyond the classroom. Tune in to this enlightening episode to discover how you can transform your teaching approach and spark a lifelong passion for music in your students.

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What we talked about:
Erin’s Website & Blog
Erin’s TPT Store
Follow Erin on Instagram
The Happy Music Teacher Academy is open for new members! Learn more and join here: https://storiesthatsing.net/jointhehappymusicteacheracademy 
Send me an email: jeanette@storiesthatsing.net
Visit my website: https://storiesthatsing.net/ 
Sign up for my newsletter and receive THREE FREE Lesson Plans: https://storiesthatsing.net/lessonplansampler 
Join my Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/themusicteachergroup
Follow me on IG: @thehappymusicteacher
Follow me on TikTok: @thehappymusicteacher
These show notes may contain Affiliate links to certain products.  The Happy Music Teacher receives a percentage of the sales of these products.

Everyone knows that the first year of teaching is the hardest. That’s why in this episode of The Happy Music Teacher Podcast, I tackle the common struggles faced during the first year of teaching elementary music.   I explore practical tips to try for managing the unique challenges that new teachers encounter, including classroom management, battling loneliness, and overcoming the fear of making mistakes. By addressing these issues head-on, I aim to provide first-year teachers with the tools and confidence they need to create a positive and effective learning environment.
My discussion also covers strategies for embracing imperfection and finding support within the teaching community. Whether you're feeling isolated or overwhelmed, this episode offers valuable insights and advice to help you navigate your first year with greater ease and resilience. 
Join me as I share stories, experiences, and expert tips to empower new teachers and ensure that their first year of teaching is a stepping stone to a fulfilling and successful career.
The Questions:
Hi all, Looking for reassurance here. I’m in year 1, and it is definitely my dream job, but its also very difficult. Since graduating and moving to a new place where I know no one, it’s been a tough year. Everyone says year 1 is the worst. I know its almost over, but as I reflect on this year, I feel unhappy. I love the job but I didnt realize how lonely post-grad is, and just how many mistakes I would make this year. I went from feeling very secure and having high confidence, feeling valued and part of a huge community, to feeling like I know nothing about anything and messing up every day trying to balance it all.Hi! I’m about to be a first year teacher and have been told by many sources that in my new school I will need to be very on top of my classroom management. This contrasts with my more relaxed teaching style. I know I’ll have to be strict and well prepared to allow for faster pacing. The school utilizes PBIS and school bucks as an incentive and they are provided to the specials teachers as well. The previous teacher utilized outside time as an incentive. Any tips and tricks would be very appreciated. — feeling nervous.
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What we talked about:
The Happy Music Teacher Academy
Send me an email: jeanette@thehappymusicteacher.com
Visit my website: https://storiesthatsing.net/ 
Sign up for my newsletter and receive THREE FREE Lesson Plans: https://storiesthatsing.net/lessonplansampler 
Join my Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/themusicteachergroup
Follow me on IG: @thehappymusicteacher
Follow me on TT:  @thehappymusicteacher

Smooth Sailing to the End of the Year with Special Events
In this episode of The Happy Music Teacher Podcast, we explore the transformative power of incorporating special events into the classroom routine to ease the end-of-year. We’ll talk about three ideas—Talent Share, Movie Day, and Karaoke Day—delving into how these events not only spark joy and excitement make the end of your school year feel effortless. With a focus on simplicity and organization, we discuss how these events offer a structured but flexible approach to rounding off the school year on a high note.
Listeners will discover practical strategies for implementing these special events, ensuring smooth sailing through the final weeks of the academic calendar. From fostering creativity to promoting camaraderie among students and reviewing important skills like good audience behavior and making beautiful music, each event serves as a catalyst for meaningful learning experiences while alleviating end-of-year stress for both teachers and students alike. 

Tune in to learn how to harness the power of special events to create a positive and memorable end-of-year atmosphere in your classroom.
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What we talked about:
Get on the Waitlist for THE MAKE MUSIC MAGIC SUMMIT
Grab your Talent Share & Karaoke Day Sign-Up Forms
Mr Henry’s Four Corners Instrument Family Version
Microphone
Karaoke Machine
The Happy Music Teacher Academy is open for new members! Learn more and join here: https://storiesthatsing.net/jointhehappymusicteacheracademy 
Send me an email: jeanette@thehappymusicteacher.com
Visit my website: https://storiesthatsing.net/ 
Sign up for my newsletter and receive THREE FREE Lesson Plans: https://storiesthatsing.net/lessonplansampler 
Join my Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/themusicteachergroup
Follow me on IG: @thehappymusicteacher
Follow me on TikTok: @thehappymusicteacher

Get ready to ease into the end of the school year in the elementary school music classroom!  In this episode, you'll hear 5 game-changing tips to salvage your sanity as the school year winds down. 
Do Nothing New - Review, Review, Review -  I’ll tell you all about the power of revisiting familiar material to streamline your lesson planning and infuse your classroom with a sense of continuity. Plan easy - use drumming activities and project based learning. Done-for-you Games & Brain Breaks - check out these engaging activities & gamesDon’t Teach How To’s - how you can still review without standing in front of the class teaching Special Events - plan some simple activities like karaoke day or a talent share

This episode promises to equip elementary music teachers with the tools you need to sail through the end of the year with ease and enthusiasm. Tune in to this episode of The Happy Music Teacher podcast and prepare to say goodbye to end-of-year chaos.

What we talked about:
Mr Henry’s Four Corners Instrument Family Version
Bucket Drumming episode 
George Meets the Orchestra
Music games:
Hoops Hoop Dancing
High and Low Game
Guess the Musical Instrument Game
Guess the Disney Song
Yoga Playlist 
Microphone
Karaoke Machine

The Happy Music Teacher Academy is open for new members! Learn more and join here: https://storiesthatsing.net/jointhehappymusicteacheracademy 
Send me an email: jeanette@storiesthatsing.net
Visit my website: https://storiesthatsing.net/ 
Sign up for my newsletter and receive THREE FREE Lesson Plans: https://storiesthatsing.net/lessonplansampler 
Join my Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/themusicteachergroup
Follow me on IG: @thehappymusicteacher
Follow me on TikTok: @thehappymusicteacher