My Favorite Things: Music Teacher Edition

I think it is fitting for a music teacher to twirl around singing “These are a few of my favorite things!” We all know that teachers run their classes on a tight budget, yet we want to have time saving tools to help provide better instruction. So here are some non-musical things on my Favorites List that you may have not considered as a music teacher!

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Dry Erase Pouches

I inherited these dry erase pouches* from a friend and I used them in my centers regularly! Not only do they wipe clean in a jiffy – even when covered in play dough, they keep my papers looking nice class after class! I could print out 10 rhythm mats instead of 100 or more!

A student is using a dry erase marker to complete a rhythm activity tucked inside a red dry erase pouch.

Play Dough

You’re worried about the mess. I hear you! But hear me out. Our youngest musicians are still needing lots of opportunities to develop their motor skills – particularly their fine motor skills. Incorporating play dough* into your activities is a great way to develop those instrument playin’ hands! My PTA helped me purchase a classroom set of Play-Doh last year. Matching dough colors to the holiday was and added spark of fun to our notation centers!

a yellow tray has three blue play doh containers on it. There are also two children with music themed dry erase mats drawing music notes .Their mats have play dough notes on them.

Also pictured…

Plastic Trays

I didn’t have the stacking plastic trays* my first year of teaching, but if I had to do it all over again, I’d definitely add these to my classroom essentials list! I liked the fact that I could make the trays match up with whatever colored centers I had going that day. Having the trays gave students a landing spot while cleaning up – which made for a quick pick up for me at the end of the class period!

a blue plastic sorting tray has Nutcracker themed chidrens puzzles on it

I also used these trays for sorting center activities and papers for substitutes!

JBL Charge 4 Speaker

I’ve frequently seen the question asked (and I asked it myself!)… What is a good Bluetooth Speaker for the classroom? I LOOOOOOVE my JBL Charge 4*. (I chose the 4 over the 5 because of the option to hook it up with a AUX cable.) Not only did it have fantastic sound – heads and tails above my projectors speakers, it connected easily to my phone and my classroom computer! I also enjoyed the ability to take it outside for different outdoor music activities! I am super happy I purchased this one with my own money so I can use it at home, too!

A box full of cones, chalk , and a bluetooth speaker. A large arrow points to the hidden speaker.

See it packed in there, ready to go!? This is probably easily in the top 3 on My Favorite Things list!

110 lb Cardstock

My name is Stephanie and I am a cardstock snob. All of the cardstock I purchase for my printable activities comes out of my pocket – but that’s ok! The quality of 110lb cardstock compared to what the school has is #worthit. I have been using this cardstock* for… awhile. I love how heavy-duty it is – and how white it is!

Task Card Boxes

Last, but certainly not least, I love my task card box storage containers*! They hold all of my favorite iconic notation cards and center activities. I can’t think of any other storage system I would rather have for these activities! It’s efficient and fast! These are great for any teacher with a large library of task card activities or flash cards, too!

I hope you enjoyed peeking at some of my favorite things for my classroom! What are your classroom must haves?!