Happy New Year! As we counted down to 2025 over the past ten days, I’m thrilled to share the #1 tech tip in my series: Play-Along Videos featuring “Auld Lang Syne” for the First Day Back! These engaging, tech-savvy activities are perfect for kicking off the new year or welcoming students back from a holiday or seasonal break.

Let’s dive into the four play-along videos that will inspire your students, keep them active, and set the tone for a successful start to the year.

1. Steady Beat Play-Along for Preschool and Kindergarten

Introduce your youngest learners to the joy of keeping a steady beat with this delightful play-along video for “Auld Lang Syne.” The visuals are bright and engaging, and the steady beat encourages gross motor skill development. Hand out rhythm sticks or encourage clapping, tapping, or patting to make this a fun and inclusive activity.

2. Rhythm Play-Along for Elementary Students

This rhythm-focused play-along is designed for your elementary students to practice reading and performing basic rhythmic patterns. The video features rhythm patterns that align with the music, making it accessible and educational. Use manipulatives to break down the patterns beforehand and let your students shine as they follow along!

3. Boomwhacker Play-Along for Older Elementary

Boomwhackers add an extra layer of excitement to music class! This play-along video combines color-coded notation with engaging visuals to guide students in performing “Auld Lang Syne” on Boomwhackers. It’s a fantastic way to integrate melody and dotted quarter note rhythms into your lessons.

4. New! Notation Boomwhacker Video for Advanced Readers

For your older elementary students who are ready to read music, this brand-new notation Boomwhacker play-along video is available on my YouTube channel and Soundslice link. This video takes your Boomwhacker ensemble to the next level by incorporating full notation. On Soundslice, you can:

Adjust the tempo to fit your students’ needs.
Change the key if you’re integrating band instruments.
Customize the display for different learning styles.

Manipulatives Available!

https://www.soundslice.com/slices/MDRRc/

To support these videos, I’ve created manipulatives that you can download from my Buy Me a Coffee page. These include rhythm cards, Boomwhacker visuals, and step-by-step guides to help students learn and perform successfully.

Tips for Success in Class

Use the Manipulatives: Review rhythm patterns or Boomwhacker sequences with the students before starting the play-along.
Practice First: Let students practice each pattern slowly before performing it with the video.
Adjust the Tempo: If using YouTube videos, adjust the playback speed in settings. Start slow and gradually work up to the performance tempo.
Leverage Soundslice Features: On Soundslice, you can customize the experience—adjust the tempo, change the key, or display full-screen notation.

Why These Activities Work

Engaging: Play-along videos are interactive and keep students moving and focused.
Educational: They reinforce key musical skills like steady beat, rhythm reading, and pitch recognition.
Flexible: These activities can be adapted for various age groups and skill levels.

Welcome 2025 with Music!

These “Auld Lang Syne” play-alongs are the perfect way to ease back into routine while celebrating the start of a new year. Your students will love the energy, and you’ll appreciate the structured, tech-forward lesson that’s ready to go.

I hope these ideas bring you joy, ease, and inspiration as you begin 2025. Have a blessed and healthy year, and happy teaching!

Ten Tech Tips #techtip Countdown to 2025: #1 Play-Along Videos for the First Day Back!