Classroom Tips for Public School Music Teachers

Teaching music in a public school setting is one of the most rewarding—and sometimes challenging—jobs out there. With large class sizes, limited time, and a wide variety of student abilities, music teachers need practical tools and strategies to keep students engaged while still covering important musical concepts.

Here are some tried-and-true classroom tips to help your students thrive, along with recommended resources from the Let’s Play Music Shop to make your teaching easier and more effective.

1. Make Music Visual with Magnet Boards

One of the biggest challenges in group music instruction is helping students see musical concepts clearly.

• Tip: Use visual aids that are large enough for the whole class to follow along.

• Recommended Products:

  • Teacher Magnet Board: A must-have for demonstrating note placement, rhythms, and staff work.

  • Student Magnet Board Sets: Let each child practice right at their desk.

  

  
  

2. Bring Music to the Floor with a Vinyl Staff

Kids love to move! Incorporating floor activities helps them learn with both their bodies and their minds.

• Tip: Use a large staff on the floor for note identification games, movement activities, or team challenges.

• Recommended Products:

  • Vinyl Floor Staff: Durable, reusable, and perfect for kinesthetic learning.

  • Stretchy Bands: Great for rhythm exercises, movement games, and engaging active learning.

  
  

  

  
  

3. Engage Everyone with Class Sets of Instruments

Nothing lights up a classroom like hands-on playing. Whether it’s rhythm instruments or melodic tools, students gain so much when they can make music together.

• Tip: Invest in sets of simple, durable instruments that can be shared among students.

• Recommended Product: Our Class Sets of Instruments are curated to give teachers reliable, classroom-friendly tools that can withstand repeated use.

  
  

4. Reinforce Concepts with Digital Resources

Music class time is precious, and sometimes review or practice has to happen outside of class. Digital resources make this easier than ever.

• Tip: Send home digital materials that let students continue practicing in fun, engaging ways.

• Recommended Products:

  • Digital Tone Bell Books: Practice melodies at home or in small groups, ensuring learning continues beyond the classroom.

  • Sing-along Storybooks: Combine music and literacy with engaging story-based songs for home or classroom use.

  • Music History Modules & Bundles: Connect music to historical context and storytelling to deepen students’ understanding.

  
  

5. Build Routines That Stick

Consistency is key when teaching music to large groups. Establishing routines helps keep classes running smoothly.

• Start with a warm-up song or chant.

• Use the same transition cues for moving between activities.

• End with a short review game that reinforces the day’s concept.

  
  

Final Note 🎶

Public school music teachers do incredible work in creating future musicians. With the right tools and engaging strategies, you can make your classroom a place where students not only learn music—but love it.

Explore more resources and teaching tools at the Let’s Play Music Shop.