Your First Year as an Elementary Music Teacher: A Practical Guide for New Educators

Each year, college graduates start jobs teaching elementary music, but not all of them are provided with the direction that they need at the beginning of their career. Very few school districts have clearly stated expectations for what elementary students should know and be able to do in music, so teachers are on their own developing and presenting daily lessons. Your First Year as an Elementary Music Teacher offers a much-needed resource specifically written for K-5 music teachers and walks you through the challenges and triumphs of your first year in the classroom, building a strong foundation for a fulfilling career.

From pre-planning essentials to engaging, ready-to-use lesson plans, this book provides practical tools and expert advice to help you succeed. Part I of the book addresses immediate concerns prior to the start of the school year and in the first few weeks: meeting school staff, organizing your music classroom and teaching materials, and preparing lessons. Part II continues with steps for building routines and completing the rest of the year with joy, including planning concerts and programs, assessing student’s knowledge and skills, growing as a teacher, and coping with a discouraging day. Part III offers proven musical activities that teachers can try with their students throughout the school year, and Part IV ends with a complete set of ready-to-use lessons for weeks one through three for each elementary music age group (early childhood, intermediate grades, and upper elementary).

Designed to be read quickly, and including simple and classroom-tested lessons and activities for ease of use, this book will build confidence in new teachers by offering concrete steps for success in that crucial first year. Whether you’re a recent graduate or a career changer, Your First Year as an Elementary Music Teacher is an indispensable companion for a successful and fulfilling teaching career.

Andrew S. Paney prepares teachers-in-training as Professor of Music of the University of Mississippi. He previously taught in elementary and middle schools in Illinois and Texas, and currently directs the Oxford Children’s Chorus. Paney publishes research focusing on aural skills instruction, technology in learning, and teaching elementary music, and his work can be found in journals such as Journal of Research in Music Education, Psychology of Music, and International Journal of Music Education. He is Past-President of the Southern Division of the Organization of American Kodály Educators (OAKE).