Managing a Micro Music Room

• Misty Kikoler
• Posted 8/29/22
• 0 comments

I have never had a big, dedicated music room. I am not complaining – I’ve never been on a cart! However, teaching elementary music in a small space comes with its own set of challenges. Here are some of the products and hacks I have used to make the most of my space. 

Your Stuff Should Serve a Purpose 

When I moved to this school, my husband wanted me to get a U-Haul. I certainly had enough to fill one, but I was NOT going to be *that* teacher who shows up with a truckload of stuff. So, I filled my music room a little bit at a time throughout the summer. I soon discovered I did not have enough space for all of my stuff! I culled my collection, parring it down to essentials. To ensure that my room does not become cluttered, I challenge myself not to grow my collection: something new means something else must go!  

Label or Code EVERYTHING

Magazines, manipulatives, instruments – label it all!  Giving everything a designated place makes it easier to put things away. Additionally, students gain ownership by getting out and putting away supplies.  

Cooperative Learning Teams

In addition to every item having a home, my students also have designated spots. I use Velcro carpet dots to assign seats in my room. I used a Sharpie to write numbers on dots in six different colors (each color has a 1, 2, 3, and 4).  

My students know their assigned color and number. I use these colors and numbers for collaborative work (turn to your face partner, turn to your shoulder partner, work in your color group, etc.).  

I also use the colors and numbers for classroom procedures (all the number 2’s need to get pencils for your group, number 4’s get a xylophone, number 3’s get your team supply caddy, etc.). With some training, these procedures can save a lot of transition time in the classroom.  

On a side note, I HIGHLY recommend Kagan Cooperative Learning training. The structures I use from Kagan are engaging, and the procedures and routines save so much transition time. I also use Kagan Selector Tools and my spinner from IKEA to select students.  

Grouping Like Items Together

Keeping like items together can be tricky in a small space. I try to keep things that would go together close (drums with drumsticks, pencils with clipboards, xylophones with accidental bars and mallets, etc.).  

The instrument cart “garage.” One of our teacher’s assistants helped me finally complete this multi-year project on a workday – instrument covers with pockets for mallets and accidentals.

A Few of My Favorite Things

Magnetic Hooks

Magnetic hooks are great for everything! Hanging ukuleles, organizing supplies, and holding essential papers are just a few ways I use them. I have very little wall space in my room, so I have to take advantage of the magnetic whiteboard. My magnetic hooks are even strong enough to hold ukuleles!

I use magnetic hooks to hold items and move them quickly if I need the whiteboard space. The musical posters are from David Row’s Teachers Pay Teachers Store. 

Velcro Carpet Spots 

Velcro carpet spots or the branded version, SitSpots, are amazing! I buy sets of these on Amazon, and I write spot numbers on them so the students know where to sit in my room. I have also used Velcro carpet spots to mark line-up spots and where to “park” the instruments on carts in the “garage.”  

I cut circle sit spots into squares for the garage parking and wrote a number on them with a Sharpie. The numbers and colors match the mallets, the accidentals, the instrument cover, the label, and a tag on the cart, so all the pieces stay together. The SitSpots brand sells printed music note sets. 

I also love using Velcro carpet spots on risers! I also number these so the kids know exactly where to stand on the risers. The best part: they stay in place when the risers are stored, so they are always ready for the next concert! 

Magazine Files

I started using IKEA Flyt magazine file boxes years ago to organize my teacher books. I recently found that I prefer collecting those resources on shelves, so I was left with dozens of file boxes. I have found two perfect uses: organizing ukuleles and holding Music Express magazines. Each box will hold two Music Express issues. I still use older issues of Music Express, and I have a subscription to its replacement, Essential Elements Music Class. 

As for my ukuleles, I initially stored them in magazine files on top of a counter. Now, I have them in a deep closet. I will be labeling them soon, so the students will know where their ukulele is supposed to be “parked.” 

 These IKEA magazine file boxes are great for holding Music Express or Music K-8 magazines and ukuleles in a deep cabinet. 

Whether you are getting organized for the start of the school year, spring cleaning, or  planning out next year’s purchases, I hope some of these ideas may help you think outside the box to make your space beautiful and functional.  

References

Kagan S., & Kagan, M. (2015). Cooperative Learning. Kagan Publishing. 

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