Dr. Stafford, Author at Dr. Stafford's Musical Cures

Music Teacher Preparation-Beginning of Year Checklist

Countdown to First Day: Be Prepared for Your Music Classroom with Checklists

How do you get your music classroom ready for the beginning of school? You can do it in July without sacrificing vacation time.

End-of-the-Year Music Teaching Reflections

The year is just about over. As teachers, we celebrate the end of school most of the time and are ready to breathe a

Jazz Musician Talk Show Activity for Older General Music Students

This is an update to a blog post from 2014 April is Jazz Appreciation Month. When we as music educators hear about using

Doing Music Class Activities Outside

Several months ago, I wrote about keeping kids moving in the classroom. Believe it or not, keeping kids moving within certain parameters actually cuts down

Music Class Manipulatives: Why Not?

Ah, manipulatives! Kids like to touch things, so using little something to help teach is so popular. Manipulatives in music class enhance the tactile and

Resources for Teaching the Music of Ukraine Thoughtfully

This is a short blog entry, but it’s something that’s been on my mind for several days. Like most everyone else, I have been saddened

Student Jobs in Music Class

I am one of the worst when it comes to putting something down and then not being able to find it again. In my music

Reviewing and Relevancy in Music Class after a Long Break

We all like breaks. I took a mini-hiatus from blogging to devote more time to my CASA kiddos. It’s beautiful and emotional all at the

Musical Ideas for “Change Sings”

Change Sings by Amanda Gorman As teachers, we know how important it is to provide opportunities for social-emotional learning and development in a child

Using “Interactive” Bulletin Boards in a General Music Class

Bulletin boards. You might totally love them or totally hate them. You may love the process of putting them up, but hate the end

Music Class and Kindergarten: Updates

A few years ago, I wrote about ideas for calming the kindergartners because, as we know, kindergartners can be a big challenge, especially since their

Musical Ideas for the Book “First Day Jitters”

We know what those are like. The jitters whenever we face anything new. And the first day of school for newbies is ESPECIALLY jittery,