It is a short post this week, I was asked to head on down to Boston this weekend to work for some pretty awesome Quaver people. It has been a great day hanging out with Rob, Bradley, and Buzz telling all of these Massachusetts teachers about the program while we all laugh and have a great time. Tomorrow I get to drink a pitcher of coffee (I’m trying to be as caffeinated as Mr. Quaver) and go present at the Quaver session! I’m extremely excited to go share what I do with the program with others!  

This week I’ve had iPad on the brain trying to figure out cooler ways to use the device in my classroom. We all go through that conundrum, a great resource lands on your desk that looks AMAZING..but..how do we use it? It seems a running theme as iPads slowly make their way into the educational world. Starting to figure out what can be used where is the new battle that is appearing. Below are two categories with 3 apps under each. 3 that are amazing to use as a whole class, and 3 that work fabulously with small group or individuals (great for centers or small group activities if you have access to multiple iPads)

For the Whole Class:

• Dolce Music Flashcards – $2.99 https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/dolce-music-flash-cards/id289772371?mt=8  This app is great for a quick review game. I put it up on my projector and students will raise their hand to answer the question. It tracks how many you get right so the class can set goals for themselves!
• Moozart- $1.99   https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/moozart/id405194870?mt=8 Teacher melodic contour or up and down? This app is fantastic. Using barnyard animal sounds to compose simple melodies or choosing already made melodies the younger students get a kick out of hearing different sounds and can understand the concepts that you are trying to get across!
• Recorder Master- $1.99 https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/joytunes-recorder-master/id492065346?mt=8 Made by Joytunes this app is constantly requested in my recorder classes for a fun activity. The students learn more about breathing and tonguing from trying to drive the plane or kill the birds than they do from me just demonstrating it!

For Small Group or Individuals:

• Garageband- $4.99 https://itunes.apple.com/app/id408709785 This app can technically go for whole group as well, but I prefer in smaller or individual. I have done many projects with students that have produced amazing products. This program records, allows students to jam on iPad instruments, and even allows them to mix premade loops together to create fantastic music. This app gets students creating and improving.
• Pocket Wavepad- Free https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/pocket-wavepad/id395339564?mt=8 So impressed with this app, I have begun to use it for recording everything my students do in class. It is so easy to maneuver that my students can use it themselves. I give them opportunities to be able to create music, go to a quiet place, and record. Recording is a skill I feel students need to learn.
  
• Dustbuster- Free https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/piano-dust-buster-+-valentine/id502356539?mt=8 I love using this app with my private piano students. I have seen true results from my students who have downloaded this at home on their iPads and come back to me being able to play songs from it BY EAR. My piano students use a real piano with an app, and I can use the app during center times or as part of our tech zone.

If you’re at MMEA, come see the Quaver crew and I at our session at 11:30! If you’re not, check these apps out and let me know what you think!