It's that magical moment each year when May the Fourth swings by, and music educators in elementary schools turn it into "May the Fourth Be With You" extravaganza! Even though it falls on a Saturday, you can still celebrate it early on Friday or late on Monday. Picture music vibes from John Williams's Star Wars tunes and jazzy beats like "Take Five" by Paul Desmond, courtesy of the Dave Brubeck Quartet. With a galaxy of over 90 awesome activities to pick from, I've whipped up a Wakelet featuring these fantastic categories:

• Movement (Move-Its) Activities

• Parachute and Scarf Activities

• Rhythm Play-Alongs

• Boomwhacker Play-Alongs

• Orff, Ukulele, and Recorder Play-Alongs

• Music Creation Activities

• Line Rider and Fun Videos

• Lesson Resources (Some free and some paid)

• 5/4 Extra Activities (involving Take Five)!

Tip: Please view the video in your classroom before you use it with your students to make sure it is appropriate for your teaching scenario and your age group.

This video will highlight the "Kodály Supplementary Songs," which feature a variety of Kodály Folk Songs that can be customized to match the proficiency of your students. You have the option to teach these songs using stick notation, staff notation, solfege syllables, and hand signs. These songs are part of the Musitrax 1 and 2 singing programs developed by Lambeth Music Service in London, following the Kodály music education method. A few years back, Charanga partnered with Lambeth Music Service to make these successful singing programs more accessible to a wider audience through technology-enhanced song presentations. Let's delve into this valuable resource and explore three ways to incorporate it into your classroom!

Grade 1 Unit #techtiptuesday: Each unit includes a lesson incorporating activities such as playing instruments, improvising, and composing.

I enjoy exploring lessons that involve active music participation, such as playing instruments, improvising, and composing. These units within the first-grade curriculum cover all these activities. Some lessons also incorporate a few of these activities.

Kindergarten Unit #techtiptuesday: Each unit includes a lesson incorporating activities such as playing instruments, improvising, and composing.

I enjoy discovering lessons that involve active music participation, like playing instruments, improvising, and composing. Within the kindergarten curriculum, these units contain lessons encompassing all these activities.

Today's #techtiptuesday for MusicFirst Elementary has to do with a creative tool Music Explorer and the Supplementary Tab of music games.

Get set for a dazzling new Play-Along Video shining the spotlight on powerhouse female solo stars! Pumped for a musical adventure? Spread the love by fueling me up with a virtual cup of Joe at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/elmusedtech/

This time, we're putting the spotlight on the unstoppable Dolly Parton - a super-talented singer, songwriter, musician, actress, philanthropist, businesswoman, and author. With a career spanning five epic decades, she's a global icon and a force to be reckoned with in the entertainment world!

Brace yourself for another rockin' Play-Along Video spotlighting fierce female solo artists! Ready to jam? Show some love by treating me to a virtual coffee at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/elmusedtech/

Get ready for a whirlwind March with Play-Along Videos celebrating rockstar female solo artists! Feeling the groove? Share the love by treating me to a virtual coffee at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/elmusedtech/

This week, we're diving into the world of iconic Tina Turner, inspired by Lisa Wichman’s NJMEA session on “Global Grooves” featuring folk dances worldwide. Let's rock out to Tina's self-penned hit “Nutbush City Limits,” a tribute to her rural roots in Nutbush, Tennessee. Fun fact: Everyone from Bob Seger to Brian Johnson has taken a swing at covering this Tina classic!

Join me at NJMEA! Click below to see more info about the amazing elementary music presenters and their sessions!

In the States this week, we are experiencing inclement weather from snow days to other weather-related items. Many schools will ask for online activities to give the students. 

Today, we have a snow day and I created these two links for the students to access on their Seesaw Journals or Google Classroom (or any learning management system).

This activity works for grades preschool through grade 2 (ages 3-7). It includes music and movement activities, a read-aloud about Trombone Shorty, then a music and movement activity to one of his pieces.

This activity works for grades 2-4 (ages 7-10) and includes how to create a song in Chrome Song Maker and then how to add a drum part to the Imperial March by John Williams. It ends with a fun fact slide about the composer, who turned 92 last week! Feel free to use these on inclement weather days!