Mr. S | Music Education

11/18/2023

The American Orff Schulwerk Association conference in Albuquerque earlier this month was everything I needed and more.

I danced. I sang. I laughed. I played. I was in community with the most amazing people. I am immensely grateful.

If you haven’t been or are a music teacher and want to know more - please reach out! It’s changed my life and made me a better teacher and person. So come join us!

What’s your favorite conference memory? And what in the world do you think I’m doing in this photo?! 😆

11/11/2023

Happy Diwali 🪔!

It was such a joy to wear this kurta gifted by parents at my school as we shared in our Diwali celebration! The entire school sang together, lit diyas together, and danced Bhangra together! What a wonderful day!

If you’ve never danced Bhangra before, it’s a must learn! Heart-pounding, energetic, and your students will LOVE it!

01/13/2023

Calling all my friends in UAE and neighboring countries - sing and dance and play with me in Dubai!!!

I am excited to partner with Infinite Learning for a two-day course on the power of play. Join me on Wednesday March 22nd and Thursday March 23rd as we build a playful space together!

From brain breaks to yoga to singing to dancing, it’s gonna be such a fabulous time! This course is for new teachers who want ways to add music and play to their classrooms. It’s for experienced music teachers to refresh their thinking. It’s for parents who want more tools to work with their kids. It’s truly for anyone and everyone who loves playing and wants to explore that in a musical way. I hope you’ll join the fun!

Check it out now: https://www.infinitelearning.ae/course/music-and-movement-in-the-classroom/ and message me with any questions! Sign up is open through February 8th so don’t delay!

CPD. Curious about the power of music and movement in your EYFS and Primary classroom? Come join our two-day training course of music making!

03/18/2022

Vintage turquoise. Grand Canyon. Avalanche. Iris.

These aren't just random words! These are colors in the Paint Chip Poetry collection! AND they can also become rhythmic building blocks for students to explore. Place 4 colors in a row and you have a beautiful palate of rhythms.

What kinds of rhythmic building blocks do you like to create? Types of flowers? Animals? I'd love to hear what's worked for you and your students!

01/16/2022

Not one, not two, not three, but four Orff music educators are sharing their insight and ideas this Wednesday!

Join us on Wednesday January 19th at 7pm ET for a workshop on Orff lessons incorporating stories, improvisation, instruments, and more!

Plus, it’s only $5 for the 90 minute workshop, a video recording, and notes! PLUS access to the Mr S Orff Family!

Check out all the info here: www.Patreon.com/mistersorff

10/29/2021

It’s been three years 😯 since I first posted about these Yoga Pretzels cards when starting my Instagram and pages. And I still use them all the time with students. From mindful exploration to student-centered movement sentences, to chances to create with a partner, these cards are a perfect and easy way into movement in the music room.

Have you ever done yoga in the music room? If you are curious how, head here for a free yoga lesson that's perfect in the elementary Orff room: https://campsite.bio/mistersorff

Not to mention, after all that candy this weekend 🍬🎃, kids are gonna need a little yoga in their lives 😂

10/18/2021

Have you ever seen a mola before? It has been such a remarkable experiencing bringing molas from Panama into the music room this week. From watching a video of a Guna woman stitching a mola and talking about the process, to sharing what we notice and wonder, to crafting poetry in small groups, these molas have really brought our classroom to life!

Special shout out to the phenomenal Sofia Lopez-Ibor for inspiring this idea in her book Blue Is The Sea. If you don’t have this resource, check it out!

PLUS, I’ve collaborated with our art teacher and they are making molas this week in art too! Wow!

Anyway, sharing this in the hopes that you’ll be inspired too! Happy Monday!

09/17/2021

Happy Hispanic Heritage Month! And muchas felicidades to the many countries celebrating their independence over the past few days!

These are two of my favorite books - so check them out! Danza tells the story of Amalia Hernandez and folklorico dance in Mexico! And Drum Dream Girl shares the story of Millo Castro Zaldarriaga, who fought against sexist musical expectations in Cuba and courageously played the drums - including in an all-women’s band!

While I’ve used Drum Dream Girl during Women’s HERstory month as well, it’s a beautiful story any time of year. Plus, I have a free lesson just for you! Check out my free lesson here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/48965358

And I’m making a Danza lesson next week for my Patreon friends, so if you like the Drum Dream Girl lesson, consider signing up!

09/07/2021

I am honored to be able to support my amazing Orff friend YeeMan “ManMan” Mui, a phenomenal, non-binary taiko artist and facilitator, who’s hoping to travel and present at AOSA this November!

The Mr. S Orff Patreon page is excited to extend a $250 scholarship toward attending! But you can pitch in to and help them to their goal: https://ko-fi.com/manmanmui

Thanks for considering helping a friend! Especially if you’re attending AOSA this November too, you won’t want to miss this session!

Become a supporter of Yeeman "ManMan" Mui today! ❤️ Ko-fi lets you support the creators you love with no fees on donations.

08/23/2021

It's finally happened! I'm back in my classroom after 18 months away!

How I've missed my circle rug. And my temple blocks. And my tubanos. And my warm lighting. And I know the students have too! Can't wait to greet them here in a few weeks.

How's your back-to-school life going? Let me know!

08/12/2021

Save the date and join us! On Tuesday August 17th @ 12pm ET / 9am PT, Kaity Cassio Igari is going to share with us an amazing introduction to ethnic studies. And prepare to dance! Through an introduction to Japanese American awa odori dance and cultural contexts, we will learn and apply elements of culturally responsive teaching and ethnic studies to develop their own curricular units in partnership with students, towards anti-racism and joy.

Wow! Just wow! Want to go?! Join my Patreon family at www.patreon.com/mistersorff! OR comment below and maybe, just maybe, I'll send you the link! 😁 Happy Back-to-School!

And will it be recorded? YES IT WILL!

Become a patron of Mr. S's Orff Music Room today: Get access to exclusive content and experiences on the world’s largest membership platform for artists and creators.

08/11/2021

Summer is coming to a close! But that means the Mr. S Orff family is back at it! Take a look below and I hope you can join for all the following - from a back-to-school workshop with me to a special workshop with Kaity Cassio Igari to live chats with your questions - we have much planned!

Head to my Patreon page, www.patreon.com/mistersorff, to sign up and hope to see you there!

Will you be there?! Shout out below! Plus share any questions below too 😀