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Stacy Werner is a music specialist with 15 years of experience teaching elementary music in Alberta, Canada. She is the author of the “Super Simple Music Centers” series and the Education Director for Musicplay Online. Trained in Orff and Kodály, she’s committed to ongoing growth as an educator, guided by her mentor, Denise Gagne.
The brand-new Genres of Music unit on MusicplayOnline gives you everything you need to explore different musical styles and help students connect music to their own lives. Inside, you’ll find introduction activities, listening and analysis tasks, worksheets, project options, projectables, rubrics, and more!
As we begin a new school year, many teachers are focused on finalizing their long-range planning documents. Effective lesson planning starts with a clear understanding of your curriculum and the outcomes you need to achieve by year’s end. Musicplay Online offers many pre-made documents and tools designed to simplify this process and support your planning efforts.
Take a look at the information and video below, where Stacy Werner guides you through the planning documents available on MusicplayOnline.
One of the first questions I’m often asked as an elementary music teacher is: “Do you still teach recorders?” My answer is always an enthusiastic yes! I’ve loved teaching recorder from the very beginning of my teaching career—the excitement on that first day when students hold their very own instrument had me hooked.
Of course, I’ll admit those first few classes can be a little rough on the ears. But with some targeted tips and clear guidance, my students quickly find their way. For me, the benefits far outweigh the initial squeaks, and I love watching the incredible growth that happens over three years of recorder study from Grades 4–6.
I know the recorder doesn’t always have the best reputation with parents—or the public, for that matter. That’s why this week, I’m sharing my personal reasons for teaching recorder, along with some great MusicplayOnline resources you can use to strengthen your recorder program and show why this little instrument really matters.
This week, I’m excited to share a couple of fun activities from the Back to School unit on MusicplayOnline— one brand-new icebreaker and one old favorite. Both are perfect for creating a welcoming, positive atmosphere in your classroom and give students a low-pressure (and musical!) way to kick off the year.
Back-to-school season is here—even if we’re not quite ready to say goodbye to summer! MusicplayOnline’s Back to School unit is a great place to start, filled with activities designed to make those first weeks fun and welcoming. This week, we’re highlighting resources that help you get to know your students and build community in your music classroom.
Name games are a fun and effective way for specialist teachers to learn—and remember—student names. This week, we’re sharing options for both primary and upper elementary students. We’re also highlighting a printable booklet from the All About Me activities in the Back to School unit, a simple way to learn your students’ interests and musical preferences—insights that can guide lesson planning and boost engagement all year.
Whether you’re just getting ready or already back in the classroom, now is the perfect time to set up routines for success! Establishing key systems early will help your year run smoothly. Today, I’m excited to share teaching tips for smooth—and musical!—transitions in the music classroom. From line-up songs and circle chants to other fun activities, these ideas will keep the music flowing as you move between different parts of your lesson.
