The Sound of Music in 301

Sometimes in my classroom, I find that it is extremely calming, stimulating, and inspiring to allow the girls to listen to music. Additionally, it allows me to introduce them to different genres and artists.We may listen to music while doing independent work, while free-writing for inspiration, or have some light tunes in the background while we are having small group discussions. If the mood in your classroom is low, give your scholars about 5 minutes to either read or write and put on some classical music. If energy is low, throw on a song/ video and let them have a dance party. At home if your kids are cleaning their room or some other chore, play one of these stations and let them have at it. Playing some classical music while they are doing homework could also help them stay focused. Below are lists of artists, and stations that I have found the girls enjoy! Obviously my list is specific to my scholars. You may want to screen some of these artists to see if their style will work for the demographics of your group. You will also want to be sure you check the settings on some of the artists stations generated on Pandora Radio, Spotify Radio, and iHeart Radio so that you can be sure no explicit songs/ artists are played automatically. What artists, songs, or stations do your scholars enjoy? Please share!

HUGE shout-out to my educator friends who shared their musical resources with me also! 

Take a poll on what kinds of music your class likes and give them the opportunity to share something new with you too! :)

Artists:
Taylor Swift
Katy Perry
Bridget Miller
The Wiggles
Selena Gomez
Cheetah Girls
Miles Davis
R5
Ariana Grande
Sade
Lauryn Hill
Michael Jackson
Norah Jones
Colbie Caillat
One Direction
Mindless Behavior
Big Time Rush
Trevor Jackson
Miranda Cosgrove


Stations:
Classical For Kids Radio
Miles Davis Radio
Fairy Tales Radio 
The Countdown Kids
Kidz Bop Radio
Holiday Stations

The View

In addition to being a reading teacher, I am the 5th grade writing teacher. In an effort to get the girls to see writing as more than something you do on a test, or in school for writing class we often take a few days to just write about whatever our hearts desire. Recently in our write-ventures, I asked the girls to dig deep into their imagination and get creative. "Write about ANYTHING that you want," I told them. I was shocked by the lack of enthusiasm that was their response to the autonomy I gave them. Not to mention the number of whiny Ms-Smith-I-Don't-Know-What-To-Writes. Finally, it hit me as I was doing the teacher circulation thing around my room. My girls needed inspiration and I knew exactly where they could get it from! From my classroom, I have THEE most fantastic view! You can see the Nationals Stadium, the Capital, a Metro station with murals painted all over it, our playground, a highway, a construction site, and a bridge among many other things. I decided to send the girls to the window to silently reflect on the midday view and asked them the following questions:

• What do you see? What do you know about what you see?
• What don't you see? 
• What would you like to see?
• What is going on in those buildings?
• Where are those people going? 

For about 3 minutes they were able to just look out the window and it worked like a charm. It was a bonus that they really enjoyed the exercise. It's amazing what taking a second to look around you can do. Have you taken a look at the view from your window lately? Whether you have or haven't, I encourage you to do so and maybe even write about it. 

Our view during the day.

Our view at night.

Hoarders: Wall of Fame

I can never bring myself to throw away anything the girls make me and I ran out of space in my apartment and the crevices of my classroom. So I found a creative way to keep everything that scholars give/ make me and decorate my classroom! Beyond being a great way to show my girls that I appreciate the things they do for me, The Wall of Fame, which sits to the right of my desk (very close to my face) is filled with notes, letters, cards, drawing, poems, tessellations, and reminders of how much I am loved and why I come to work everyday!

Ms. Smith's Wall of Fame

From the desk of Ms. Smith: Welcome to Rm. 301!

Hello all! And welcome to the wonderful world of Ms. Smith. I am a 4th and 5th grade Reading Comprehension teacher in Washington, DC. I work in a uniquely FABULOUS environment of all girls. Thank you for joining me and my girls on our journey through 4th and 5th grade! Enjoy!