Make Moments Matter: A Music Education Podcast
Education & Explainer
About
I love teaching music to kids! I am a certified Orff Schulwerk teacher and plan to share lessons about singing, playing instruments, recorder technique, creative movement, improvisation, guided listening, and other techniques that will help you teach music better! Find more information and ideas on my blog: www.MakeMomentsMatter.org
Episodes
- Composition/Arranging with Rhythmic Building Bricks
This podcast episode features an audio replay of a Musical Monday LIVE session focusing on rhythmic building brick cards for music composition and arranging. The episode details K-5 music lessons and provides a deeper look into teaching me…
- Bring a Grownup to Music Class Recap
This episode is an audio replay of a Musical Monday LIVE session discussing the "Bring a Grownup to Music" kindergarten event. It recaps K-5 music lessons and dives into specific teaching methods, including materials used.
- First Grade Concert Recap: Into the Wild
This episode features an audio replay of a Musical Monday LIVE broadcast discussing a forest/mountain-themed first-grade concert. It covers the songs used, staging, and the general process of the weekly music lesson recaps.
- Teddy Bear: Vocal Improvisation and Exploration
This episode of Make Moments Matter features a replay of a Musical Monday LIVE session discussing the song "Teddy Bear." It covers vocal exploration, teaching processes, resources, and adaptations for K-5 music lessons.
- Draw Me a Bucket of Water - Teaching Process and Adaptations
This episode, a replay of a Musical Monday LIVE session, covers the song 'Draw Me a Bucket of Water,' detailing teaching processes and movement adaptations. It also recaps K-5 music lessons and focuses on one grade level's resources, inclu…
- Driving In My Car - Forest-themed Movement Exploration
This episode of the podcast is a replay containing the audio version of the Musical Monday LIVE video recorded on 3/30/26. This week I shared about a song I'm using in my upcoming forest/mountain themed concert and the exploration process…
- Rhythm Reading Ocean Style! Small Groups and Centers
This episode of the podcast is a replay containing the audio version of the Musical Monday LIVE video recorded on 3/23/26. This week I shared about how I'm getting my kiddos reading rhythms with an ocean themed resource (ideas for whole gr…
- Improvising with Complex Rhythms and Animal Names
This episode of the podcast is a replay containing the audio version of the Musical Monday LIVE video recorded on 3/9/26. This week I shared about how I'm having my students compose with sixteenth note variations and animals names. If you'…
- Books for Women's History Month (and how to use them)!
This episode of the podcast is a replay containing the audio version of the Musical Monday LIVE video recorded on 3/3/26. This week I shared about some of the books I'm using for Women's History Month and how you might incorporate them int…
- She'll Be Coming Down the Mountain Lesson Process
This episode of the podcast is a replay containing the audio version of the Musical Monday LIVE video recorded on 2/23/26. This week I shared about how I teach the song "She'll Be Coming Round the Mountain" and some books/resources I use.…
- Rhythmic Building Bricks - How and When to Use Them!
This episode of the podcast is a replay containing the audio version of the Musical Monday LIVE video recorded on 2/16/26. This week I shared about rhythmic building bricks (or building blocks) and a few ways to use them in lessons. If you…
- Books for Black History Month (and Sub Lessons) along with a NEW Glockenspiel
This episode of the podcast is a replay containing the audio version of the Musical Monday LIVE video recorded on 2/9/26. This week I shared about the book Trombone Shorty (among others) and how I use it in my classroom - especially for a…
- Old Betty Larkin - Song Teaching Process
This episode of the podcast is a replay containing the audio version of the Musical Monday LIVE video recorded on 2/2/26. This week I shared my process for "Old Betty Larkin" with older grades including a stealing dance. If you're not fami…
- Stepping Out on the Town - Song Teaching Process
This episode of the podcast is a replay containing the audio version of the Musical Monday LIVE video recorded on 1/26/26. This week I shared my process for teaching "Stepping Out On the Town" with first graders. If you're not familiar wit…
- Willum He Had Seven Sons - Song Process
This episode of the podcast is a replay containing the audio version of the Musical Monday LIVE video recorded on 1/12/26. This week I shared my process for teaching "William Had Seven Sons" for my primary grades. If you're not familiar wi…
- Nutcracker Inspired Orff Instrument Exploration
This episode of the podcast is a replay containing the audio version of the Musical Monday LIVE video recorded on 11/24/25. This week I shared some Nutcracker-inspired ideas for instrument exploration on the Orff/pitched percussion instrum…
- Bordun/Drone Review with Kids
This episode of the podcast is a replay containing the audio version of the Musical Monday LIVE video recorded on 11/17/25. This week I shared about how I review different drone or "bordun" patterns with kids for accompaniment on pitched p…
- What to do the week AFTER the concert - Who sang it better?
This episode of the podcast is a replay containing the audio version of the Musical Monday LIVE video recorded on 11/10/25. This week I shared a quick recap about my 4th grade concert and my "who sang it better" lesson for the week after a…
- Creating with Pitched Percussion and Food Themed Words
This episode of the podcast is a replay containing the audio version of the Musical Monday LIVE video recorded on 11/3/25. This week I shared about how I created a lesson with improvisation, accompaniment, and student choice on the pitched…
- K-Pop Rhythm Hunters - Poison Rhythm Game
This episode of the podcast is a replay containing the audio version of the Musical Monday LIVE video recorded on 10/27/25. This week I shared about how I use "poison rhythm" games in my classroom - this time with a K-pop Demon Hunters the…
- Old Woman Skin and Bone with Orff Instruments
This episode of the podcast is a replay containing the audio version of the Musical Monday LIVE video recorded on 10/20/25. This week I shared about how I teach the folk song "Old Woman Skin and Bone." If you're not familiar with musical M…
- Books for Native American Heritage Month
This episode of the podcast is a replay containing the audio version of the Musical Monday LIVE video recorded on 10/13/25. This week I shared details about some books you might consider for Native American Heritage Month (coming up in Nov…
- Trailblazers and Tall Tales - 4th Grade Program Details
This episode of the podcast is a replay containing the audio version of the Musical Monday LIVE video recorded on 10/6/25. This week I shared details about my upcoming 4th grade concert called "Trailblazers and Tall Tales" along with a new…
- La Guitarrista - Book for Latinx and Hispanic Heritage Month in the Music Room
This episode of the podcast is a replay containing the audio version of the Musical Monday LIVE video recorded on 9/29/25. This week I shared about the book La Guitarrista and how you might use in in the classroom and some videos you might…
- Lola's Fandango Book - Use for Rhythm, Culture, Dance, or a Substitute Teacher
This episode of the podcast is a replay containing the audio version of the Musical Monday LIVE video recorded on 9/22/25. This week I shared about the book Lola's Fandango and how you might use in in the classroom or with a substitute tea…
- Cup Game Lesson Outline - Folk Song and K-Pop Demon Hunters
This episode of the podcast is a replay containing the audio version of the Musical Monday LIVE video recorded on 9/15/25. This week I shared about how I integrate the "cup game" into my lessons including a folk song and a tie in with K-po…
- K-Pop 101 for Elementary Music Teachers
This episode of the podcast is a replay containing the audio version of the Musical Monday LIVE video recorded on 9/8/25. This week I shared about K-Pop, some important information about the genre, and groups you should check out if you wa…
- Rhythm Sticks and "The Teacher Pattern"
This episode of the podcast is a replay containing the audio version of the Musical Monday LIVE video recorded on 9/1/25. This week I shared about using rhythm sticks with multiple grades, what sticks you might want to buy, and how I use "…
- Bounce High, Bounce Low Lesson for Kindergarten Week #1!
This episode of the podcast is a replay containing the audio version of the Musical Monday LIVE video recorded on 8/25/25. This week I shared about using mallets on "Bounce High, Bounce Low" with Kindergarten and the book "Sound!" If you'r…
- Johnny Get Your Hair Cut Lesson Idea & Engine, Engine, No. 9 Book
This episode of the podcast is a replay containing the audio version of the Musical Monday LIVE video recorded on 8/18/25. This week I shared about an "Engine Engine, No. 9" book I found and the lesson(s) I use for the song "Johnny Get You…
- End of Semester Q&A Spring 2025
This episode of the podcast is a replay containing the audio version of the Musical Monday LIVE video recorded on 5/5/25. This week I talked through many of your questions about teaching elementary music. If you're not familiar with musica…
- Three New Books to Check Out for Now or Later!
This episode of the podcast is a replay containing the audio version of the Musical Monday LIVE video recorded on 4/28/25. This week I shared about three books that I recently came across that you should check out. If you're not familiar w…
- What to do for an out-of-cycle day! - How to Lesson Plan for Odd Moments
This episode of the podcast is a replay containing the audio version of the Musical Monday LIVE video recorded on 4/21/25. This week I shared about what I taught on a recent "out-of-cycle" day when I needed a quick and easy lesson for mult…
- Nonpitched Percussion In Daily Learning - How to Sneak It In in meaningful ways!
This episode of the podcast is a replay containing the audio version of the Musical Monday LIVE video recorded on 4/14/25. This week I shared about how I try to include nonpitched percussion instruments in a variety of ways in my lessons.…
- Black Snake Song Teaching Process
This episode of the podcast is a replay containing the audio version of the Musical Monday LIVE video recorded on 4/7/25. This week I shared about how I scaffold out and teach the song "Black Snake" with a circle game and option for instru…
- Student-led Recorder Echo and Improvisation
This episode of the podcast is a replay containing the audio version of the Musical Monday LIVE video recorded on 3/31/25. This week I shared about how I scaffold out a lesson including student-led recorder improvisation and echoing on BAG…
- The Big Corral - Song Process and Lesson Ideas
This episode of the podcast is a replay containing the audio version of the Musical Monday LIVE video recorded on 3/24/25. This week I shared about how I teach the song "The Big Corral" and adaptations I'm using to make it work for my upco…
- I Let Her Go Go - Song Process and Lesson Ideas
This episode of the podcast is a replay containing the audio version of the Musical Monday LIVE video recorded on 3/17/25. This week I shared about how I teach the song "I Let Her Go Go" and scaffold in the group dance moves. If you're not…
- Exploring Eighth and Sixteenth Note Combinations
This episode of the podcast is a replay containing the audio version of the Musical Monday LIVE video recorded on 3/10/25. This week I shared about how I explore sixteenth and eighth note combinations with my older grades. If you're not fa…
- The Day the Crayons Quit Concert Recap
This episode of the podcast is a replay containing the audio version of the Musical Monday LIVE video recorded on 3/3/25. This week I shared about my most recent concert based on the book The Day the Crayons Quit. If you're not familiar wi…
- Adapting an Orff Schulwerk Piece for a Concert
This episode of the podcast is a replay containing the audio version of the Musical Monday LIVE video recorded on 2/24/25. This week I shared about how I adapted a piece from the Rhythmische Übung for my upcoming 2nd Grade Concert. If you'…
- Improvising in Pentatonic Modes with Older Grades
This episode of the podcast is a replay containing the audio version of the Musical Monday LIVE video recorded on 2/10/25. This week I shared about how students have been improvising in the pentatonic modes on the pitched percussion and re…
- Simulating Rain with Body Percussion and Hand Drums
This episode of the podcast is a replay containing the audio version of the Musical Monday LIVE video recorded on 2/3/25. This week I shared about how I plan to simulate rain with body percussion and hand drums for my upcoming concert. If…
- Teach, Improvise, and Explore with Nursery Rhymes
This episode of the podcast is a replay containing the audio version of the Musical Monday LIVE video recorded on 1/27/25. This week I shared about how I teach, improvise, and explore pitched percussion instruments with nursery rhymes. If…
- Body Percussion Piece Scaffolding and Improvisation
This episode of the podcast is a replay containing the audio version of the Musical Monday LIVE video recorded on 1/20/25. This week I shared about how I teach a body percussion piece from the Rhythmische Übung with a chance for improvisat…
- End of Semester Q&A Fall 2024
This episode of the podcast is a replay containing the audio version of the Musical Monday LIVE video recorded on 11/25/24. This week I talked through many of your questions about teaching elementary music. If you're not familiar with musi…
- Dancing the Tinikling Book
This episode of the podcast is a replay containing the audio version of the Musical Monday LIVE video recorded on 11/18/24. This week I shared a new book about Tinikling and some resources you might use with it. If you're not familiar with…
- Fall Food-Themed Rhythms for Small Groups and Centers
This episode of the podcast is a replay containing the audio version of the Musical Monday LIVE video recorded on 11/11/24. This week I shared about using a fall food themed rhythm center in a new way! If you're not familiar with musical M…
- Finding My Dance - Books for Native American Heritage Month
This episode of the podcast is a replay containing the audio version of the Musical Monday LIVE video recorded on 11/4/24. This week I shared some books that I'll be using for Native American Heritage Month. If you're not familiar with mus…
- Vocal Exploration with Kinders Three Ways - Song, Movement, and A Book!
This episode of the podcast is a replay containing the audio version of the Musical Monday LIVE video recorded on 10/28/24. This week I shared about how I do vocal exploration three ways with my kindergarteners. If you're not familiar with…