music at home

Hi parents and students!

I hope you're all having a good week! I want you to think about where music is in your home. Do you have instruments? Do you watch movies with music? Do you sing in the shower? Music is all around us.

For parents, during this winter break it is important to spend time with your families, but on days when you feel like your child is not retaining what they have been learning in school I have found a free resource for music games of all different levels and types for note reading, rhythm, pitch identification, and many more musical topics. I encourage you to take advantage and play at least one music game with your child. Then please tell me in the comments what you played, and how well it went for you and your child and if you have any feedback.

In my private students I play these games all the time to encourage learning, and they love it!

To pick a game simply click on the one you want, follow the printing directions and print out the game of your choice to play! (If you have a laminator it helps to laminate, but not necessary!)
This is a great way to bond with your child over music, and to keep them active in their music education over the break.

https://susanparadis.com/free/games/

so why do we need music?

Why is it so important that we have music in our lives...or your life more specifically? The answer to this question is different for everyone whether it be to heal themselves, to perfect the art of playing the oboe, to express themselves, or to score better on their math tests, music is personal and different for each person and I want you to really think about this question this week.

I want you to take a look at this article from the National Association for Music Education about why music in our schools is so important. There are so many benefits we do not even think about on a daily basis that music gives us.

https://nafme.org/20-important-benefits-of-music-in-our-schools/

So after reading this and thinking about music and your own life I want you to discuss by commenting on this post: Where do you think you would be in your life if you did not have a music education? Parents maybe some of you did not have a music education so I want you to think about how different your child would be if they were not given the gift of music in their school. A few short sentences on behalf of the student or part of the parents prospective will suffice. 

Welcome!

Welcome to my online blog for my classroom!

My name is Ms. Westphal and I am your general music teacher! This blog is for my students and their parents/guardians to access resources to aid in music education beyond the classroom!

A little about me: My name is Ms. Westphal and I am your teacher here at Super Cool Elementary School. I teach grades K-6 General Music, Beginner Band, Orchestra, and Choir. I have my degree in music from xxxxx University and I love teaching! At home, I have two cats, two dogs and a lizard! In my free time I like to write, read, drink coffee, and watch Christmas movies (no matter what time of year it is!). I also really enjoy kickboxing! If you ever want to know more about me please let me know! :)