--- title: What’s New in Our Back-to-School Unit description: Back to school is better with fresh ideas! Explore new songs, storybook connections, icebreakers, and get-to-know-you activities designed to build community and make those first days together fun. image: https://blog.musicplay.ca/hubfs/Play%20it%20Once%2c%20Play%20it%20Twice%20Slides%2020262.jpg --- [![musicplay-logo](https://blog.musicplay.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/musicplay-logo-2.png?width=2701&height=877&name=musicplay-logo-2.png "musicplay-logo")](http://musicplay.ca) Open main menu Close main menu # What’s New in Our Back-to-School Unit ![Stacy Werner](https://blog.musicplay.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/529321003_10171907439470332_5222755718152529359_n.jpg?width=45&name=529321003_10171907439470332_5222755718152529359_n.jpg) [Stacy Werner](https://blog.musicplay.ca/author/stacy-werner) [Share this blog post on Twitter](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=I+found+this+interesting+blog+post&url=https://blog.musicplay.ca/whats-new-in-our-back-to-school-unit) [Share this blog post on Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://blog.musicplay.ca/whats-new-in-our-back-to-school-unit) ![](https://blog.musicplay.ca/hubfs/Play%20it%20Once%2c%20Play%20it%20Twice%20Slides%2020262.jpg) [Note: This newsletter is best viewed in your browser for full access to all content.](https://blog.musicplay.ca/whats-new-in-our-back-to-school-unit) ## Fresh Ideas for Back-to-School! A new school year is the perfect time to build connections, learn about your students, and set the stage for a great year together! We’ve added some fresh resources to our [**Back-to-School Unit**](https://musicplayonline.com/units-list/back-to-school/) to help you do just that. From a **new song to help younger students learn each other’s names**, to meaningful **literacy connections** and fun **icebreakers and get-to-know-you activities**, these fresh ideas make it easy to build community and connection from the very first days of school. ### **This week, we’re excited to feature some of our newest [Back-to-School](https://musicplayonline.com/units-list/back-to-school/) resources.** --- ## [Play It Once, Play It Twice](https://musicplayonline.com/units-list/back-to-school/) ## [![Play it Once, Play it Twice Slides 20262](https://blog.musicplay.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Play%20it%20Once%2c%20Play%20it%20Twice%20Slides%2020262.jpg?width=487&height=377&name=Play%20it%20Once%2c%20Play%20it%20Twice%20Slides%2020262.jpg)](https://musicplayonline.com/units-list/back-to-school/) Teaching Suggestions: Use this song to give students an opportunity to play an instrument while learning classmates’ names. Students can stand in rows or form a circle. Invite one student at a time to participate in the following sequence: • Sing: *Play it once!* (the student plays the instrument one time) • Sing: *Play it twice!* (the student plays the instrument two times) • Say: *What’s your name?* (the student responds by saying their name, then sits down) • Sing: *Welcome to music today!* Continue around the circle until all students have had an opportunity to play the instrument and say their name. This song can be revisited over several music classes to introduce new instruments and help reinforce students’ names. ## [We Don't Eat Our Classmates](https://musicplayonline.com/units-list/back-to-school/) [![We Dont Eat Our Classmates](https://blog.musicplay.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/We%20Dont%20Eat%20Our%20Classmates.png?width=440&height=330&name=We%20Dont%20Eat%20Our%20Classmates.png)](https://musicplayonline.com/units-list/classroom-decor-and-teaching-displays-on-musicplayonline/) [![We Dont Eat our Classmates - Read Aloud 20262](https://blog.musicplay.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/We%20Dont%20Eat%20our%20Classmates%20-%20Read%20Aloud%2020262.jpg?width=457&height=353&name=We%20Dont%20Eat%20our%20Classmates%20-%20Read%20Aloud%2020262.jpg)](https://musicplayonline.com/units-list/back-to-school/) **This silly lesson will get your kids giggling while building classroom community and making music!** Inspired by *We Don’t Eat Our Classmates* by Ryan T. Higgins, students explore the story through a catchy chant, body percussion, instruments, and a fun name game. They’ll practice learning classmates’ names, identify good and bad classroom choices, and work together to create their own classroom chant about positive behaviours. It’s a playful way to combine **music, literacy, and classroom community** at the start of the year!            [![We Dont Eat our Classmates - Name Chant 2026](https://blog.musicplay.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/We%20Dont%20Eat%20our%20Classmates%20-%20Name%20Chant%202026.jpg?width=325&height=251&name=We%20Dont%20Eat%20our%20Classmates%20-%20Name%20Chant%202026.jpg)![We Dont Eat our Classmates - Good Choice Bad Choice Game 2026](https://blog.musicplay.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/We%20Dont%20Eat%20our%20Classmates%20-%20Good%20Choice%20Bad%20Choice%20Game%202026.jpg?width=325&height=251&name=We%20Dont%20Eat%20our%20Classmates%20-%20Good%20Choice%20Bad%20Choice%20Game%202026.jpg)![We Dont Eat our Classmates - Create a Classroom Chant 2026](https://blog.musicplay.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/We%20Dont%20Eat%20our%20Classmates%20-%20Create%20a%20Classroom%20Chant%202026.jpg?width=325&height=251&name=We%20Dont%20Eat%20our%20Classmates%20-%20Create%20a%20Classroom%20Chant%202026.jpg)](https://musicplayonline.com/units-list/back-to-school/) ## [M.U.S.I.C. About Me!![M.U.S.I.C. About Me](https://blog.musicplay.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/M.U.S.I.C.%20About%20Me.png?width=490&height=331&name=M.U.S.I.C.%20About%20Me.png)](https://musicplayonline.com/units-list/back-to-school/) Teaching Suggestions: 1. Print one student recording page for each student. 2. Print and display the M.U.S.I.C. poster cards around the classroom. 3. Students move around the room, locate each letter card, and record their answers to the corresponding questions on their student page. 4. Gather students together to share and discuss their responses. 5. Use students’ answers to learn about their musical interests, experiences, and preferences, and to help guide instruction throughout the school year. [**Find these activities and MORE in the Back-to-School Unit!**](https://musicplayonline.com/units-list/back-to-school/) ---   ## Musicplay Mentorship 2026 #### Know a teacher who's just getting started with MusicplayOnline or could use a little extra support? We'd love it if you'd share this opportunity with them! [Getting Started and Core Skills](https://workshops.musicplay.ca/courses/musicplay-mentorship-with-stacy-werner-session-1-2/) **August 18th, 2026 - 4:30PM-5:30PM MST** [![Musicplay Mentorship 1-2](https://blog.musicplay.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Musicplay%20Mentorship%201-2.png?width=1000&height=500&name=Musicplay%20Mentorship%201-2.png)](https://workshops.musicplay.ca/courses/musicplay-mentorship-with-stacy-werner-session-1-2/) In this webinar, we’ll walk you through the essentials of using ****Musicplay Online**** — the all-in-one curriculum designed to support elementary music teachers. You’ll get a guided tour of the platform, learn how to navigate key sections, set up your ****Student Code****, search for content efficiently, and organize your lessons using the ****My Lists**** feature. Whether you’re brand new to Musicplay or just need a refresher, this session will give you the confidence to get started with ease. [Register for Musicplay Mentorship Session One](https://workshops.musicplay.ca/courses/musicplay-mentorship-with-stacy-werner-session-1-2/)   [Planning Tools and Resources](https://workshops.musicplay.ca/courses/musicplay-mentorship-webinar-with-stacy-werner-session-2-2/) **August 25th, 2026 - 4:30PM-5:30PM MST** **[![Musicplay Mentorship 2-1](https://blog.musicplay.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Musicplay%20Mentorship%202-1.png?width=1000&height=500&name=Musicplay%20Mentorship%202-1.png)](https://workshops.musicplay.ca/courses/musicplay-mentorship-webinar-with-stacy-werner-session-2-2/)** In this webinar, Stacy will guide you through the powerful planning tools and resources available in ****Musicplay Online****. You’ll explore the ****Lesson Planning**** section, dive into the ****Scope and Sequence**** and ****Year Plans****, and learn how to customize lessons to fit your teaching style and your students’ needs. We’ll also walk through key features like ****Lesson Modules****, ****Song Lists****, and the ****Units**** section to help you streamline your planning and make the most of everything Musicplay has to offer. [Register for Musicplay Mentorship Session Two](https://workshops.musicplay.ca/courses/musicplay-mentorship-webinar-with-stacy-werner-session-2-2/)   [Musical Literacy and Skill Development](https://workshops.musicplay.ca/courses/musicplay-mentorship-webinar-with-stacy-werner-session-3-2/) **September 1st, 2026 - 4:30PM-5:30PM MST** **[![Musicplay Mentorship 3](https://blog.musicplay.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Musicplay%20Mentorship%203.png?width=1000&height=500&name=Musicplay%20Mentorship%203.png)](https://workshops.musicplay.ca/courses/musicplay-mentorship-webinar-with-stacy-werner-session-3-2/)** In this webinar, Stacy will explore the wide range of resources and tools in MusicplayOnline designed to build music literacy in fun and engaging ways. We’ll take a deep dive into the Song List activities, explore interactive tools in the Toolbox, and highlight the Rhythm and Solfa Practice sections. You’ll also discover how to use the Listening Kits to connect classical music to the elements of music and support skill development in your students. [Register for Musicplay Mentorship Session Three](https://workshops.musicplay.ca/courses/musicplay-mentorship-webinar-with-stacy-werner-session-3-2/)   [Instruments and Performance Pieces](https://workshops.musicplay.ca/courses/musicplay-mentorship-webinar-with-stacy-werner-session-4-2/) **September 8th, 2026 - 4:30PM-5:30PM MST** **[![Musicplay Mentorship 4https://workshops.musicplay.ca/courses/musicplay-mentorship-webinar-with-stacy-werner-session-4-2/](https://blog.musicplay.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Musicplay%20Mentorship%204.png?width=1000&height=500&name=Musicplay%20Mentorship%204.png)](https://workshops.musicplay.ca/courses/musicplay-mentorship-webinar-with-stacy-werner-session-4-2/)** In this webinar, we’ll explore the instrument resources available on Musicplay Online, including recorder, ukulele, Boomwhackers, drumming, guitar, and Orff. Stacy will guide you through how to navigate and customize these materials to fit your classroom needs. We’ll also show you how to find performance pieces for school events, ensembles, and choirs, and how to access and download accompaniment tracks to support your performances. [Register for Musicplay Mentorship Session Four](https://workshops.musicplay.ca/courses/musicplay-mentorship-webinar-with-stacy-werner-session-4-2/) --- Together Sing 2026 - Registration Now Open! Registrations for Together Sing 2026 are now open, and we are so excited! Since registrations opened at 9:00 am on 21st June (Make Music Day), we already have registrations representing over 25,000 singers — and we want to add yours! This year's beautiful song, *We Are Here*, composed by Louise Kelly, is a powerful celebration of the joy and wellbeing that comes from singing together, and a reminder of why music education in our schools matters so much. When you register (make sure it's for your maximum number of singers!), you receive audio tracks, YouTube video links, band and string arrangements (both in the same key as the song this year!), a lyric sheet, social media images, and so much more — all completely free. Over 50 partners are contributing to this project out of sheer passion for the cause. Don't miss out — register now and add your voice to this growing force for good! ![](https://fonts.gstatic.com/s/e/notoemoji/17.0/1f449/72.png) [https://www.kodalyqld.org.au/together-sing/](https://www.kodalyqld.org.au/together-sing/) And if you're on social media, we'd love you to like, follow and share our pages too: ![](https://fonts.gstatic.com/s/e/notoemoji/17.0/1f4d8/72.png) Facebook: [https://www.facebook.com/TogetherSingAus](https://www.facebook.com/TogetherSingAus) ![](https://fonts.gstatic.com/s/e/notoemoji/17.0/1f4f8/72.png) Instagram: [https://www.instagram.com/togethersingaustralia/](https://www.instagram.com/togethersingaustralia/) --- ## Musicplay Team Updates: We wanted to take the opportunity to share some updates from the team: #### Content Updates: - Check again next week for future updates!  #### Development Updates: - New Drum Machine interactive - New Staff Lesson bass resources - Support for 2 beat rhythms in Word Rhythm Composition tool - Added the ability to disable student codes  - Navigation now remembers the last open state. - Notifications can now be dismissed more easily ![Stacy Werner](https://blog.musicplay.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/529321003_10171907439470332_5222755718152529359_n.jpg?width=150&name=529321003_10171907439470332_5222755718152529359_n.jpg) #### Stacy Werner 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. ### Leave a Comment ## Related Articles [![](https://blog.musicplay.ca/hubfs/Diversity%20Photo%20(1).png)](https://blog.musicplay.ca/whats-new-on-musicplayonline-october-31-2022) [Blog Posts](https://blog.musicplay.ca/tag/blog-posts) [What's New with Musicplay](https://blog.musicplay.ca/tag/whats-new-with-musicplay) ### [What's New on MusicplayOnline - October 31, 2022](https://blog.musicplay.ca/whats-new-on-musicplayonline-october-31-2022) The awesome Musicplay team is always creating new content for MusicplayOnline and the Musicplay Store! Check out our newest additions below!  ### MusicplayOnline - Solfa Hand... [Denae Konynenbelt](https://blog.musicplay.ca/author/denae-konynenbelt) [Read More](https://blog.musicplay.ca/whats-new-on-musicplayonline-october-31-2022) [![](https://blog.musicplay.ca/hubfs/Screen%20Shot%202023-05-31%20at%201.49.57%20PM.png)](https://blog.musicplay.ca/create-accompaniment-for-songs) [Blog Posts](https://blog.musicplay.ca/tag/blog-posts) ### [Create Accompaniment For Songs](https://blog.musicplay.ca/create-accompaniment-for-songs) As I'm editing Musicplay lessons to post on the new online resource - www.musicplayonline.com - I've been finding new ways to encourage student creativity in my music... [Denise Gagne](https://blog.musicplay.ca/author/denise-gagne) [Read More](https://blog.musicplay.ca/create-accompaniment-for-songs) #### Our Products - [MusicplayOnline](https://musicplayonline.com) - [Musicplay Store](https://store.musicplay.ca) - [Musicplay Downloads](https://downloads.musicplay.ca) - [Musicplay Workshops](https://workshops.musicplay.ca) - [Musicplay Help](https://help.musicplay.ca) Follow us on Facebook Follow us on LinkedIn Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Instagram ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Stacy Werner", "url" : "https://blog.musicplay.ca/author/stacy-werner" }, "dateModified" : "2026-08-12T19:30:00.500Z", "datePublished" : "2026-08-12T19:30:00.000Z", "headline" : "What’s New in Our Back-to-School Unit", "image" : [ "https://blog.musicplay.ca/hubfs/Play%20it%20Once%2c%20Play%20it%20Twice%20Slides%2020262.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.musicplay.ca/whats-new-in-our-back-to-school-unit", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.musicplay.ca/hubfs/musicplay-logo-2.png" }, "name" : "Themes & Variations Musicplay" } } ```