Tricks of the Trade for the Elementary Music Teacher Parts 1&2 – With Sheila Baer and Rene’ Spencer
About this Webinar –
Teaching music in schools is vital. Teaching music in the elementary school is foundational. We pack TONS of “tips of the trade” into this Two-Part webinar from these incredible music educators. Be ready to take notes! If you’re interested in professional development credit, each part carries one hour of credit after successfully passing the Verification Quiz.
PART ONE – Topics include: Classroom Management, Pacing the Lesson, Lesson Structure for Better Learning and Cooperative Behavior. Also Tips for Lesson Planning regarding What to Consider, Types of Activities, and the Student Skill Set.
PART TWO – Topics include: continued tips for lesson planning regarding What We Have Learned from “Distanced Learning,” Adapting Going Forward, and Supporting Learning in Other Classrooms. Also covered are Levels Courses (Orff, Kadaly, Dalcroze, etc.), Music as a Unifying Force, and The Spiraling Curriculum.
About the Clinicians –
Sheila Baer
At the time of this posting, Sheila Baer has been teaching in the Union R-XI School District for 18 years. She has a Masters in Music Education from Univ. of Central MO – Warrensburg with a Kodály certification. She has also completed her Levels I & II in ORFF from Webster University as well as World Drumming I in St. Louis. Currently Sheila teaches K – 6th grade general music, directs a 4th – 6th grade choir. She is also the director of the East Central Children’s Chorale which is a 3rd – 8th grade group working to build musicianship together at East Central College, Union MO. Currently she is the VP for Elementary Music for MMEA and the mentoring vp for East Central District #7. She a member of the St. Louis Symphony Educational Task Force which works to bring musicians into the schools as well as providing professional development for teachers in the area. She is a member of NAfME (MMEA), AOSA (St Louis Chapter) and OAKE (SLAKE St Louis Chapter). . When she isn’t attending local or national workshops she is spending time with her family biking, gardening and quilting.
Rene’ Spencer
At the time of this posting, Rene’ Spencer has taught 31 years in public schools (Miller R-II and Mt. Vernon R-V), 2 1/2 years at Round Grove Christian Academy, and currently teaches elementary music courses at Missouri Southern State University, in addition to Kodaly levels courses at the Kodaly Institute of the Ozarks at Missouri State University. Her public school teaching assignments have varied from teaching 7-12 instrumental and vocal music at Miller to teaching elementary music, then intermediate music and high school choir and show choir at Mt. Vernon.
Mrs. Spencer has served as Missouri Music Educators Association Elementary Vice-President, founding-president of the Kodaly of the Ozarks, secretary/ treasurer of the Southwest Missouri Music Educators Association and has presented educational sessions at universities across the state, as well as for area and state conferences and workshops. Rene’ serves as a clinician, honor choir conductor, and adjudicator throughout Missouri, and as a mentor for new music educators via the MMEA New Teacher Conferences.
Rene’ earned her BME in music education from Southwest Baptist University, her MSE in instrumental music education from Missouri State University, Orff Level 1 certification from Missouri State University, and Kodaly certification (levels 1 – 4) from the University of Central Missouri.
To gain the most benefit, please follow these suggested steps:
Step One – Download the Note Page
Prepare to either type your notes into the Word.doc or Google Doc and save the changes, or write in your notes by hand into a printed copy.
Step Two – 
As you view the webinar, we encourage you to take notes as you go along. Feel free to stop the recording and rewind as needed.
Step Three – Download the Action Plan Template 
Choose either format; Word Doc or Google Doc. After considering the key points that you wish to implement, describe the point in the ACTION BOX select a date for the initial implementation. Then, select a date that you plan to review and assess the success of the implementation.
Step Four –
PART 1 
PART 2
An 80% score or better will result in a Certificate of Completion emailed to the address you provide. Those scoring less than 80% will be allowed to retake the quiz. In order to do so, you’ll need to register in the quiz with an alternate email.
Step Five – Review the Follow-up Links and Materials Below
You are encouraged to review these links for further study related to this topic.
Lesson Planning in a Kodaly Setting: A Guide for Music Teachers by Rita Klinger
Webinar – Music Educators Mentoring In Missouri – with Steve Litwiller, MMEA Mentoring Chair
Webinar – Survival 101. Teaching Music in the K-12 School – with Liz Betts, Leslie Chambers, and Vanessa Miner
Webinar – Successfully Managing Your Music Ensemble Rehearsal – With Kurt Bauche and Joe Pappas
The following are from The Nottelmann Blog:
Tonettes, Song Flutes, Flutophones, and Precorders
Recording Your Ensemble, with Joshua Rhine – Festus R-6 Intermediate School, Vocal Music
How to use Google Classroom to Submit Recorded Singing and Playing Assignments
Five Must-Haves for a Successful School Year
Time Hacks for Teachers, Part 1: Reclaiming Your Time
Follow-up Materials
Google Drive Folder – contains materials and links referred to in this webinar, and more!
Contact by Email
Sheila Baer – Presenter
Rene’ Spencer – Presenter
Steve Litwiller – MMEA Mentoring Chair
