I have song clips linked to each one of the buttons, so when I or my class D.J. (one of our daily jobs) clicks on a button, the music plays automatically. This is completely routine now! During stations, my D.J. will signal clean up time with the "clean up chime" (aka NBC chime), wait 15 seconds and then click on "move to new location" to signal the transition to the next station. I never have to say a word and my kids move smoothly from station to the next! Here is a break down of our signals:
Clean Up Chime- NBC chime
Move to New Location- Password
Line Up- short version of the Andy Griffith theme song
Meet at the Carpet- Cagney & Lacey
Think, Pair, Share time- Beethoven's Minuet in G
P.O.D. Mission Math (Problem of the Day time)- Mission Impossible theme song
I absolutely love how my students have come to recognize and respond to these nonverbal cues. It took a few weeks of practice at the beginning of the school year (btw, I introduced the transition cues one at a time) but they quickly got the hang of it and it has become one of my favorite (and easiest!) management techniques. Not to mention my kids think being the daily D.J. is the coolest and most important class job ever!
Anyone else use music for transitioning in their classroom? I'd love to read how it works for you! Please leave me a comment below.
**
8/20/12 Update: I've received so many e-mails and comments requesting me to share my transition music file. Thanks for your interest! I have finished creating a version that does not infringe on any copyright laws. My sweet hubby helped me draw the graphics for the buttons. :) I've included 12 pre-made templates and 12 editable text templates as well as step by step instructions for adding text, song clips, etc. Click on the image to read the description and grab it if you are interested!
Neat idea. I'm putting it on my "To try" list.
ReplyDeleteYearn to Learn Blog
Love it! Usually the only music the teacher has me play when I sub is during Writing Workshop. But one time this teacher had me play music to signal cleaning up. Or generally in the class I have to sing the clean up song.
ReplyDeleteGreat ideas though and I'd love to do something like that when I get my own classroom some day!
Journey of a Substitute Teacher
I use music (music box) to transition from station to station during reading.
ReplyDeleteJennifer
First Grade Blue SKies
I LOVE bringing music into the general classroom -- it's not just for music class! My friend (who teaches 2nd grade) uses a soft, classical song for everything. She'll give the instruction about what they're supposed to do or where they're supposed to go, and then they have until the song ends to complete the task. I think the song is around a minute long. If the class has 100% completion by the time the song is over, the class gets a point (which adds up to free time at the end of the day).
ReplyDeleteI used music with my 9th grade class last year, and they loved it! We did bellwork for 5 minutes after the bell rang every day, and I would pick a different (school-appropriate) genre of music to play while they worked. If I asked them to participate in a group activity, I would play something soft, yet jazzy while they were working. For individual work, I would sometimes play some classical music. Those students were a big fan of Vitamin String Quartet because the music was stuff they recognized but had no words so they could concentrate. :)
Great idea! Is there any way you can share a link? I have a Promethean Board and would love to try it!
ReplyDeleteLOVE it!! I have classical music playing throughout the day....but I'm lovin' the transition idea! I don't have a board of any sort, but I wonder if I could just make like a ppt slide and always have it up on my computer and click the buttons??? is there a way you could share the music files??
ReplyDelete♥ Jen
The Teachers' Cauldron
jenross1018@yahoo.com
i have a board too...are you able to share your flipchart???
ReplyDeletemommaroose@gmail.com
Was it easy for you to set up? I would love to try it.
ReplyDeleteLorena.delgadillo@gmail.com
Do you have a particular site where you get your music files? I think this is a great idea and would be a wonderful alternative to transition my chatty 2nd graders! Thanks! jvyoung379@att.net
ReplyDeleteTAG! You're it! Stop by and see what it's all about :)
ReplyDeleteWiggins World
Tag…You're It! Just a little fun way of saying …. "I love your blog" and want to share! Come see how to play this fun blog hopping game of tag!
ReplyDelete♬Swamp Frog First Graders ♬
This is such a clever idea! I'm definitely going to attempt to put this into action. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteLisa
stories114.blogspot.com
I also have a Promethean board and would love a copy of your flip chart if you are wiling to share!
ReplyDeleteDouglas_main@dpsk12.org
Would also love this if you are sharing! miz_frizzle@yahoo.com.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your creative work!
I love your board!! Please share your wonderful work. I am a substitute teacher and this is exactly what I need to rush along pokey students. Beans4bradley@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI use the song Clean My Room..by Innovation Movers. My kids love it and it's the perfect length for them to clean the entire room after centers and make it back to the rug for Read Aloud.
ReplyDeletePlease share your flipchart! My email address is catherine.may@beaufort.k12.sc.us
ReplyDeleteI have a pormethean board and would love to try this in my classroom! My email address is kstaffan5@gmail.com! Thanks! This is a great idea :)
ReplyDeleteHI! I have a smart board and would love to try this! So cute! If you are willing to share your chart please send me an email. thanks so much!
ReplyDeletekbaker1939@yahoo.com
I also have a Promethean board, and I would love to try this in my music classroom. Could you please e-mail me at coxdrb@bellsouth.net? Thank you so much!
ReplyDeleteIf you could share this file with me I would greatly appreciate it! Thanks! lmecum@live.olivet.edu
ReplyDeleteCould I please try this to help make the transitions smoother in my class? Please email this file to luey1013@aol.com
ReplyDeleteI have a SmartBoard and would love a copy if you're willing to share. Thanks! mezakh@svusd.org
ReplyDeletethis is awesome! Can you email a copy to me if you're sharing? kclarkadpi@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteThanks!
I'm stalking your blog! I love this post you shared about music in the classroom! I LOVE Rick Morris and I'm so lucky to have seen him present so many times! I use this music too and my kiddos are obsessed! My students earn marbles for extra music that is playing after they're sitting and quiet at the carpet...but they also lose marbles if there are people not at the carpet by the time the music ends! They love it!
ReplyDeleteIF you can share the file I would like it also. abqgreene@gmail.com Thanks
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone know of a link to a tutorial for making this on a smartboard?
ReplyDeletethanks! mfreeland@interact.ccsd.net
Thanks so much for linking up to the Dilly Dabbles post on transitions and songs!
ReplyDeleteDillyDabbles
If you are sharing, I would love this file . . . lauraaycock24@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteThanks
Love this idea! I'm totally trying it next year!
ReplyDeleteA Day in First Grade
Love this--I am putting this on my summer to-do list (which keeps growing every time I'm blogging and Pinteresting!!)
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing,
Karen :o)
Mrs. Stamp's Kindergarten
Thanks for this! I love, love, love using music in my class!
ReplyDeleteHey thanks for sharing your great ideas!! I am in the same district as you Arlington and would love a copy or file of your music/board!!
ReplyDeleteIf you are sharing my email is payton6399@yahoo.com or I could purchase if available thanks
DeleteLesly
Me too. How can we get this. Tab27@hotmail.com
DeleteI love this idea!! I too have a smartboard in my room and I would love to re-create your idea. Any tips on how to make it for my smartboard??
ReplyDeletethanks fo all your amazing ideas.
Awesome! When I was in teachers college I came across this idea, and I loved the idea of using the Jeopardy theme music for signalling the start of a test.
ReplyDeleteThank you for linking up! Transition music is a great way to keep your class orderly and calm. I really need to get more of that into my own room. I love how you have a "class DJ" as a job!
ReplyDelete~Stephanie
Teaching in Room 6
I love this! If you are sharing can you please send me the file? ragrast@kent.edu
ReplyDeleteI also have a Promethean Board and would like to use your file as a template for this. What a great idea! If you are sharing, here is my email. hummerm@usd385.org
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Mallory
If you are sharing can you please send me the file?
ReplyDeletejenny.brown@twinriversusd.org
If you're willing to share, could you send me this please? cassie3184@yahoo.com Thanks so much! I love this!
ReplyDeleteI love your idea. If you are willing to share and I can purchase the file please email me--cmwatts@mchsi.com
ReplyDeleteThank you so much!
If you are sharing this file could you email it to me? I love this idea and just got a promethean board at the end of last school year. I'm looking for things like this to enhance my classroom.
ReplyDeleteThanks... aburge@tooeleschools.org
YaY, Pinterest! Gets me to the best blogs. :)
ReplyDeleteI love the font you used-- what is it?
Pineapple Delight :)
DeleteI love your idea of using music for transitions. I have tried this in the past, but my CD player stopped working so I stopped using the music. I have a SmartBoard and would love to try. If you are willing to share I would really appreciate it. My email is jcompton001@gmail.com. Awesome Blog!!!!
ReplyDeleteI would love to use this on my smart board as well. Could you please send me the info. Hayleelbg@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteI would love to use this for the upcoming school year. If you are willing to share I would really appreciate it. My email is vandeput@culver.k12.in.us
ReplyDeleteThank you!
I used this with HUGE success this year. I use different songs and do not use the board , since the bulbs are so expensive and we transition a lot. My students cue in from the music and transition in seconds whole class. No more red row get in line green row green row again...repeating directions does not need to occur the kids hear the music and they move and it's fun!!! I will be doing this again this year too! Carpet song the price is right, tables Peanuts, line up I Dream of Jeanie, cleanup Pink Panther, etc. and this is music with no lyrics instrumental only.
ReplyDeleteHow do you find transition songs to use??
DeleteHey Thеre. I found your blog uѕing msn.
ReplyDeleteThis іs a reallу ωеll written aгticlе.
Ι'll be sure to bookmark it and return to read more of your useful info. Thanks for the post. I'll certainly return.
Feel free to visit my web-site :: Country Music
Eric Jensen does alot of research on music & how to motivate or calm down students. I purchased a few of the cds, all you really need is 1 cd w/a variety. As a music teacher, I use for energizing warm ups, clean up and center transitions. (no lyrics, there are some w/classic themes that the students will recognize! Here is the link if you are interested.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.jensenlearning.com/news/the-perfect-music-for-brain-based-learning/brain-based-learning
I just found your blog and I'd love to have the us your promethean board music links flip chart. Could you send it to me?
ReplyDeleteJely@cox.net
Jacqui
LOVE!! I have a promethean and am trying to research how to use transitions. Could you please send this file to me please?
ReplyDeleterandi.morrison@forneyisd.net
Or I'm sorry, that email's not working. Please email to Ranran1213@yahoo.com THANK YOU!!!!
ReplyDeleteHello there. I came across your blog through pinterest. I love this idea. I have used transition music in the past, but it has always been the same song for each transition from subject to subject. I really like the idea of having different music. I usually have a lot of musical learners so I use a lot of music to help teach and reinforce concepts. (I love YouTube) I will add the job of class dj to my classroom. That would help me out a lot. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteKatrina
Teacherofscholars.blogspot.com
I would love to learn how to do this! Please let me know if you can share. Thanks. Susan
ReplyDeleteSusan.bratcher@owensboro.kyschools.us
I use the chicken dance for clean up. Once they have cleaned up their area they can get up and dance. They love it and it gives them a chance to get the wiggles out.
ReplyDeleteI JUST downloaded this and have started to add myown sound clips to it. I have also added some new icons as well. I have wanted to set something like this on my Smartboard for a while now but wasn't quite sure how to get the sound clips in there. THANK YOU SO MUCH! I can't wait to use this!!!!
ReplyDeleteI have created a blog that teachers can use to help them come up with ideas of music to help them manage their classrooms. Also, I am always ready to come up with neat playlists or other song choices for whatever the case is.
ReplyDeleteCome check it out...I think teachers will really like it.
theclassroomdj.wordpress.com
Wow--just found your blog through Fern Smith. Love this post on music! Great ideas and thanks for all of your hard work. I also tried to follow you on your BlogLovin button but it took me to your Photobucket site. (Just FYI). Thanks again, Beth from whoisreadytoteach.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Beth!
DeleteI think I've fixed the link now. Thank you for the heads up. :)