Music Teachers have a very busy schedule. Possibly music teachers have the busiest life of all teachers. Here are a few ideas to help Music Teachers be more productive.

Music Teachers however have to do a lot of extra duties that other teachers don’t have to – like running marching band and orchestra programs, preparing student concerts, managing instrumental music lessons and talking with parents about rehearsals and raising funds for instruments.

WIth all these duties consuming the teachers time, it is vital that they be extremely well prepared to make sure that their music sessions are both fun for children and stress free for themselves.

Here are a few solutions that can help music teachers every day

A diary. This simple thing can save you all sorts of problems from double scheduling events if it is well managed. It is so easy to double schedule school events with personal events, as most teachers would well understand! You can use a modern personal digital assistant or Mobile Phone, or use the old fashioned paper diary for just a few dollars.

A location plan for all the school equipment. Even if your school has one well used xylophone and a broken guitar with three of the strings missing it is important that those two instruments have a specific home, and that children come to appreciate that when in the music classroom. When you are seeing lots of children every week and sometimes thousands of dollars worth of instruments it is vital that it is put away with respect. Draw a diagram, write it down and put it up near the equipment. Vigilance over this for a few weeks will make your teaching a lot easier in the long run!

A personal blog – What if you could have a website where you place information for band members, music parts for practice and assessments so they can get it done without you even being there? Its as simple as setting up a personal blog on blogger or word press, and getting started. Just consider – if you put resources there that you ask children to download for additional work… once its completed this year you will never have to do it again!

Computer and Technology tools. The latest software for music often has built in test and worksheet building tools, so you can write your own teaching materials in minutes.

Prepared Lesson plans accessing instant print worksheets and lesson plans from the world wide web can save you many hours preparation, and there are many brilliant sources of material available now.

Music teaching can be such a rewarding career path, as it is sharing the love of music and teaching – and it should be enjoyable for all!

Of course, many would disagree with that statement. Maths, Chemistry and English teachers of course work very hard and no-one would say they don’t work extremely hard to bring brilliant lessons to their students.

Music Teachers however have to do a lot of extra tasks that other teachers don‚’t have to – like running choir and ensemble programs, preparing student recitals, coordinating private music teachers and talking with parents about practices and fund raising for equipment.

WIth all these tasks consuming the teachers energy, it is vital that they be extremely organized to ensure that their music sessions are both enjoyable for children and trouble free for themselves.

Here are a few solutions that can help music teachers every day

A planner. This simple thing can save you all sorts of problems from double scheduling events if it is well managed. It is so easy to double schedule school events with personal events, as most teachers would well understand! You can use a modern Palm Computer or Mobile Organizer, or use the old fashioned bound planner for just a couple of bucks.

A location plan for all the school equipment. Even if your music room has one old Recorder and a battered guitar with half the strings missing it is important that those two instruments have a specific home, and that your students come to appreciate that when in the music classroom. When you are seeing hundreds of students every week and sometimes many hundreds of dollars worth of equipment it is important that it is put away carefully. Draw a diagram, commit it to paper and stick it on all the walls near the equipment. Being careful about this for a few weeks will make your life a lot easier in the long run!

The author of this article, Kevin Tuck is a former teacher and editor for the Fun Music Company, who create simple and complete Music Lesson Plans for music teachers everywhere.

A personal blog – What if you could have a place on the internet where you place news for band members, music parts for practice and assessments so they can get it done without you even being present? Its as simple as setting up a personal page on blogger or wordpress, and getting going. Just think – if you put materials there that you ask students to access for additional work… once its completed this teaching year you will never have to do it again!

Computer and Technology tools. The latest music software often has inbuilt test and work sheet creation tools, so you can create your own teaching materials in minutes.

Prepared Lesson plans accessing ready made work sheets and lesson plans from the world wide web can save you many hours preparation, and there are many excellent sources of material available now.

Teaching Music can be a very rewarding and enjoyable choice of career, and with the right tools it is even easier.

Of course, many would disagree with that supposition. Maths, Chemistry and English teachers of course work very hard and no-one would say they don’t work extremely hard to bring brilliant lessons to our children.

Music Teachers however have to do a lot of extra activities that other teachers don’t have to Рlike running choir and musicianship programs, preparing student concerts, organizing instrumental music lessons and communicating with parents about rehearsals and raising funds for equipment.

With all these duties consuming the teachers time, it is vital that they be extremely organized to make sure that their music sessions are both enjoyable for students and trouble free for themselves.

Here are a few solutions that can help music teachers every day

A planner. This simple thing can save you all sorts of problems from double scheduling events if it is well managed. It is so easy to double schedule school events with personal events, as most music teachers would well understand! You can use a modern PDA or Mobile Organizer, or use the traditional bound diary for just a few dollars.

A location plan for all the school equipment. Even if your school has one battered old Recorder and a broken guitar with half the strings missing it is vital that those two instruments have a specific home, and that children come to learn and respect that when in your classroom. When you are teaching lots of children every week and sometimes many hundreds of dollars worth of equipment it is important that it is put away with respect. Make a plan, write it down and stick it on all the walls near the equipment. Being careful about this for a few weeks will make your life a lot less stressful in the long term!

Your very own blog – What if you could have a website where you place news for band members, music parts for practice and assessments so they can get it done without you even being there? Its as simple as setting up a personal blog and getting going. Just think – if you put resources there that you ask students to download for homework… once its completed this teaching year you will never have to do it again!

Software tools. The latest music software often has inbuilt assessment and worksheet creation tools, so you can write your own resources in minutes.

Prepared Lesson plans – downloading ready made