Sharon Burch

The Mirror Game - MAGIC Classroom Management and Fun!

THE MIRROR GAME

If you have never played the “ mirror game” with your students, you are missing out on instant classroom control magic.  Kids love this game and, once established, it is an incredible efficient use of time.  It also prepares your kids for silent instruction in the previous and following steps.

Rules of the Mirror Game:

1.  Teacher is the “leader,” and students are the teacher’s giant mirror.

2. Rules to establish before beginning.  Ask the students the following questions:

a.     “Do mirrors talk?” (no)

b.     “Do mirrors echo?” (no)

c.     Say, “The better you are, the more I will try to trick you.”

3. Begin by putting both hands up and in front of your body as a starting signal.  Hold your position until everyone is doing the same.

4. Start with both hands and arms doing the same thing, such as leaning to the right slowly with your hands still in front of you.

5. As they catch on and are silently being a mirror, switch to one arm or hand doing something different than the other, make silly faces, etc.   Increase the difficulty to make it fun.  I typically pull my hands apart like I am going to clap, and then pass the hands by each other without clapping.  A few kids typically predict a clap and giggles abound when a few clapped.

6. Announce “Game Over.”

7. Explain that throughout the story, or sometimes in the middle of the song, you will suddenly play the “mirror game.”  (This works like a dream when preparing for performances.  Teach the actions, but also let them know that you are playing the mirror game during a performance so that all actions are synchronized.)

6 March 2012 · Comments

A new “Courtin’” song to use with the kids!

Katie Hubbard, a music teacher in California, sent this email to Freddie.  She was happy to share her song.  Great idea, Katie!  Love it! - Sharon

Dear Freddie,

I introduced you to the kindergarten and the 1st graders at my school today! They are very excited to start “bump in the night” next week. I wrote new verses to the “courtin’” song that I wanted to share:

I know a frog named Freddie, uh huh, (repeat)
I know a frog named Freddie,
He said, “would you like to play with me?”
I know a frog named Freddie, uh huh.

He went on an adventure, uh huh, (repeat)
He went on an adventure,
He lives outside in nature,
He went on an adventure, uh huh.

He heard a thump in the night, uh huh, (repeat)
He heard a thump in the night,
But don’t you worry, he’ll be alright,
He heard a thump a night, uh huh.

Next week we’ll read about it, uh huh, (repeat)
Next week we’ll read about it,
We’ll visit his island in just a bit,
Next week we’ll read about it, uh huh!

Thanks for getting the kids excited about music!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Katie Hubbard
Music teacher
Santa Clarita Elementary
Santa Clarita, California

24 January 2012 · Comments

Great Daily Assessment Idea from Music Express eNewsletter

On the inside of a file folder, use a marker to create squares the size of small post-it notes. With a file folder for each class, write the name of each student in the squares. When assessing students, recording good behavior, or concert attendance, write on a post-it and stick it on his/her square. If a square is empty, that student needs to be observed. This is a great way to have something to say about each student at conferences. Remove all notes to start the next grading period.

28 November 2011 · Comments

Opera for kids! Hansel and Gretel interactive site

Check out this site.  http://www.classicalkusc.org/kids/opera/index.asp

20 October 2011 · Comments

Smart and Successful Kids? Music!

Why music? The benefits of music reach far beyond learning how to sing or play an instrument.  Freddie the Frog® Books do more than just teach music.  Here’s why:

·       Nothing compares to music education in brain stimulation and development. Researchers chart brain activity while a person engages in various tasks.  Music is one of the very few whole brain activities, engaging all parts of the brain—including the one small portion of the brain that only “lights up” for extreme pleasure!

(The only other activities that use both hemispheres are higher-level mathematics and logic processing, such as chess and quantum physics.  All other tasks rely on the dominant use of either the left or right brain.) 

·       Why does engaging in music activate the entire brain? A musician’s mind is constantly choosing how fast or slow to play, with what style, rhythm, phrasing, and feeling—training the brain to become incredibly good at organizing while simultaneously controlling finger movement, reading and memorizing.  Thus, a musician conducts numerous mental and physical activities at the same time—training the brain to organize and create multiple mental pathways that can be used for other mental processes. Plus, the process stimulates emotional satisfaction and pleasure!

·       These mental skills and multiple mental pathways, honed by music education, permeate all facets of learning and the effects continue to compound over time with advanced music study. 

·       It is no coincidence that a high percentage of band, choir, or orchestra members are top-ranking students.

·       NO ONE SITS ON THE BENCH in music.  It’s takes 100% group effort and accuracy.  What a life lesson!

Music enhances a child’s success in school, society, and life.

SUCCESSFUL KIDS FOR LIFE

WWW.FREDDIE THE FROG.COM

Music Games and Coloring Pages

Freddie the Frog® products originated to provide an accessible and entertaining form of music education for use at home.  I encourage you to enjoy Freddie’s adventures and to continue to keep your child involved in music lessons and other music education opportunities available in your area.   Start today!

19 October 2011 · Comments

Freddie manipulation

Okay.  In case you are struggling with how to manipulate Freddie, here it is:

• Dirty finger in the nose
• Index and ring finger in the lower lip
• Pinky and thumb in the arms
• Velcro around the wrist

Simply start by just nodding and shaking his whole head.  You will soon be manipulating naturally as you respond to the kids.

Have fun!

29 September 2011 · Comments