Patterns & Practice

Share a wild classroom story or a research article with us!Amber and Britt discuss four different Reddit posts and talk about their upcoming hiatus (AKA musical season). Stay tuned for more episodes of Patterns and Practice in a few months!Get in touch! You can follow us on Facebook and Instagram @patternsandpracticepod Website patternsandpracticepod.com. Email: [email protected]

Share a wild classroom story or a research article with us!Join Amber and Brittany as they talk about folk music in the classroom and things they LOVE about this generation of students!Research Article: Giebelhausen, R. & Sierzega, A. (2025). Folk around and find out: Cultural and historical sourcing for music cited as “traditional” in a general music curriculum series. Update: Applications of Research in Music Education, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/87551233251385580Reddit Post: “What does this generation of students do better than others? (Legitimately)” Get in touch! You can follow us on Facebook and Instagram @patternsandpracticepod Website patternsandpracticepod.com. Email: [email protected]

Share a wild classroom story or a research article with us!Amber and Brittany discuss their experience at the NYSSMA Winter Conference earlier this month along with their teacher "icks."Topics: Introduction: [00:00]Topic of the Day: State Conference: [01:51]Reddit Post of the Day: [54:20]Mentioned in the podcast: Franklin Willis Missy Story Stephanie Leavell Robin Giebelhausen PeripoleJason Jones Amber & Brittany’s presentations!: Classroom Management for the Elementary Music TeacherPlay to Your AdvantageReddit Post: “Sometimes admin is terrible. Sometimes students are terrible. Sometimes parents are terrible. So what makes TEACHERS sometimes terrible?” Get in touch! You can follow us on Facebook and Instagram @patternsandpracticepod Website patternsandpracticepod.com. Email: [email protected]

Share a wild classroom story or a research article with us!Join Amber and Brittany as they discuss what an Learning Sequence Activity (LSA) is, how they use LSA's in their teaching, and a Reddit post about improvisation in the music room. Topics: Introduction: [00:00]Topic of the Day: LSA’s: [00:37]Reddit Post of the Day: [48:45]Books!Jump Right In: Tonal Register BookRhythm Register BookJill Reese’s Navigating Music Learning TheoryWatch some LSA'sAndy Mullen - YouTubeHeather Shouldice - YouTubeJen Bailey - YouTubeReddit Post: “Should kids be taught improvisation?” Get in touch! You can follow us on Facebook and Instagram @patternsandpracticepod Website patternsandpracticepod.com. Email: [email protected]

Share a wild classroom story or a research article with us!Amber and Brittany talk about aptitude, how they collect data, making performances sensory-friendly, and an unpopular opinion on Reddit. **UPDATE** Amber and Brittany would like to apologize for an error which required us to republish the episode. As we like to share that this is a candid snapshot of our teaching, we had a candid, uncensored moment about a frustration in the classroom, and will do better to ensure it doesn't happen in the future. Topics: Introduction: [00:00]Topic of the Day: Aptitude: [02:45]Research of the Day: [30:49]Reddit Post of the Day: [45:18]Reynolds, J.H. & VanWeelden, K. (2023). Tips for making music performances sensory-friendly and inclusive. Journal of General Music Education, 37(2), 43-46   https://doi.org/10.1177/27527646231211704Reddit Post: “Unpopular Opinion”Get in touch! You can follow us on Facebook and Instagram @patternsandpracticepod Website patternsandpracticepod.com. Email: [email protected]

Share a wild classroom story or a research article with us!Join Amber and Brittany as they go off-book to discuss several facets of lesson planning, their favorite activities so far, and expectations vs. standards in today's Reddit Post. Topics: Introduction and Lesson Planning: [00:00]Reddit Post of the Day: [44:20]Experimental Songs and Chants - Book 1 by Edwin Gordon, Beth Bolton, Wendy Valerio, Cynthia TaggertGerudo Valley ThemeReddit Post: “Lower Your Standards”Get in touch! You can follow us on Facebook and Instagram @patternsandpracticepod Website patternsandpracticepod.com. Email: [email protected]

Share a wild classroom story or a research article with us!Topics: Introduction: [00:00]Topic of the Day: Audiation: [04:25]Research of the Day: [26:50]Reddit Post of the Day: [42:06]Learning Sequences in Music (2012 Edition) by Edwin E. GordonCulp, M. E. (2017). The Relationship Between Phonological Awareness and Music Aptitude. Journal of Research in Music Education, 65(3), 328-346. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022429417729655Empire York State of Mind (your welcome)Reddit Post: Students love this one weird trick (apparently?) by AfalsteinGet in touch! You can follow us on Facebook and Instagram @patternsandpracticepod Website patternsandpracticepod.com. Email: [email protected]

Share a wild classroom story or a research article with us!Topics: Introduction: [00:00]Topic of the Day: Early Childhood Music: [03:29]Research of the Day: [23:25]Reddit Post of the Day: [39:00]“Shun the nonbeliever” Clip from “Charlie the Unicorn” by FilmCowHackworth, R. S. (2023). Vocal health implications for music teachers: A literature review. Update: Applications of Research in Music Education, 42(1), 12-21. https/doi.org/10.1177/87551233211061119 Vocal Function Exercises from Adult Speech TherapyReddit Post: What's the most important thing we as a society could do for kids today?Transcript of Today’s Episode: Ep. 6 - Shakin’ MaracasGet in touch! You can follow us on Facebook and Instagram @patternsandpracticepod Website patternsandpracticepod.com. Email: [email protected]

Share a wild classroom story or a research article with us!Amber and Britt decompress from the first week of school and discuss... play!! There's loads to uncover and discuss here, but most excitedly, the hosts discuss how play might be interpreted as a skill. For the research, they uncover some of the elements that create play. Lastly, they read a Reddit post from someone who is feeling a bit unsure. Topics: Introduction: [00:00]Topic of the Day: Play and Engagement [01:30]Research of the Day: The Elements of Play [28:46]Reddit Post of the Day: I need someone to tell me this gets better lol [49:09]Dirty Dancing ClipMindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol DweckThe Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der KolkEberle, S.G. (2014). The elements of play: Toward a philosophy and definition of play. The American Journal of Play, 6(2), 214-233. Superwholock LoreReddit Post:  I need someone to tell me this gets better lolTranscript of Today’s Episode: Ep. 5 - Parallel PlayGet in touch! You can follow us on Facebook and Instagram @patternsandpracticepod Website patternsandpracticepod.com. Email: [email protected]

Share a wild classroom story or a research article with us!Amber and Brittany dive into the 'Sunday Scaries' that is the week before school starts, back to school, a longitudinal study about self-reported experiences of first-year teachers, and making social media content as teachers.  Topics (w/time stamps):Introduction [00:00]Topic of the Day: Back to School [00:47]Research of the Day [32:24]Reddit Post of the Day [53:30]Shaw, B. (2024). Beginning music teachers' self-reported first-year preparation. Journal of Research in Music Education, 0(0), 1-20. https://doi.org/10.1177/00224294251351209 New Teacher Curve (see image on Substack)Reddit Post: Friend Became a Teacher Just to Get Social Media ContentAround [57:00] - we noticed the static too! We’re working on figuring it out for next time! It will stop around [58:00]Transcript of today’s episode: Ep. 4 - We Are Not Demure[TRANSCRIPT] on SubstackGet in touch! You can follow us on Facebook and Instagram @patternsandpracticepod Website patternsandpracticepod.com. Email: [email protected]

Share a wild classroom story or a research article with us!Join Amber and Brittany as they discuss four C's of classroom management, Jacob Langstaff's 2024 literature review about classroom management, and a spicy Reddit post about music teachers supporting general education teachers as professional development. Topics (w/time stamps):Introduction [00:00]Topic of the Day: Classroom Management [02:02]Research of the Day [33:15]Reddit Post of the Day [54:40]Reese, J. (2007). The four Cs of successful classroom management. Music Educators Journal, 94(1), 24-29.Punished by Rewards by Alfie KohnTeach Like a Champion 3.0 by Doug Lemov (2.0 is mentioned in the episode, but a new edition has come out since)Teaching General Music by Carlos R. Abril and Brent M. GaultCulturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain by Zaretta HammondTranscript of today’s episode: Ep. 3 - You Gonna Learn Today[TRANSCRIPT] on SubstackGet in touch! You can follow us on Facebook and Instagram @patternsandpracticepod Website patternsandpracticepod.com. Email: [email protected]

Share a wild classroom story or a research article with us!Join Amber and Brittany as they discuss misconceptions about elementary general music, a research article about the use of Curwen/Glover hand signs in the music room, and what success looks like in their teaching practice!Topics (w/time stamps):Introduction [00:00]Topic of the Day: Misconceptions of Elementary General Music [01:39]Research of the Day [24:36]Reddit Post of the Day [35:29]“I’m not bitter” clip from The RockerHeather Shouldice - Everyday MusicalityThe Gordon Institute of Music Learning (GIML) - Musical AptitudeDoug Goodkin - Orff Educator, Author, PractitionerMayo, W. (2024). Student perceptions of Glover/Curwen hand signs in the elementary music classroom. Update: Applications of Research in Music Education, 42(3), 18-25. http://doi.org/10.1177/87551233231176218 What Does a Successful Lesson Look Like To You?Teacher “sense” and the balance of “principle of disturbance” and zone of proximal development in classroom management article mentioned: Russell. (2000). Contexts of music classroom management. Arts and Learning Research Journal, 16(1), 195-225. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED446006.pdf#page=198 @MrsPhillipsN5th on TikTok LinktreePunished by Rewards by Alfie KohnTranscript of today’s episode: Ep. 2 - Misconceptions, Hand Signs, and and Success - Oh my! [TRANSCRIPT] on SubstackGet in touch! You can follow us on Facebook and Instagram @patternsandpracticepod Website patternsandpracticepod.com. Email: [email protected]

Share a wild classroom story or a research article with us!Amber and Brittany introduce themselves and talk about Music Learning Theory, the skill learning sequence, Salvador and Menon's study titled, "Lived Experiences of Adult Caregiver 'Nonmusicians' and 'Nonsingers' in Early Childhood Music Classes," and what makes teaching elementary general music worth it to them.Today's Topics: Introduction (00:00)Topic of the Day: The MLT Learning Sequence (01:28)Research of the Day (20:34)Reddit Post of the Day (39:28)Things mentioned: The Gordon Institute of Music Learning (GIML)Learning Sequences in MusicEric Bluestine - The Ways Children Learn MusicHeather Shouldice - Everyday MusicalityNAfME MembershipSalvador, K., & Menon, S. A. (2025). Lived experiences of adult caregiver "nonmusicians" and "nonsingers" in early childhood music classes. Journal of Research in Music Education, 73(1), 67–86. https://doi.org/10.1177/00224294241247578 Reddit Post: K-5 Music, What makes it worth it for you? Transcript of today’s episode: Ep. 1 - Call me the Sax Man [TRANSCRIPT] on SubstackGet in touch! You can follow us on Facebook and Instagram @patternsandpracticepod Website patternsandpracticepod.com. Email: [email protected]