These Tricks Are for Kids: Tricks of the Trade for Teachers of Elementary Music!

Debbie Gray, Blue Springs (Missouri) elementary teacher and clinician has been honored as Blue Springs Jaycees Outstanding Educator, Who’s Who in America (‘'05-'08), Who’s Who Among American Women (‘05 -'08), and Who’s Who Among American Teachers (’96, '02‘05). Debbie has been the building Teacher of the Year four times in her 29 year career and has been nominated by former students for Disney’s American Teacher Award (99, 00, 02). Under Debbie’s direction, her students have supplied the vocals in many radio and television commercials, including the nationally televised ad for Kansas City’s famed Country Club Plaza, Toastmaster’s Kiddle Griddle, Missouri Tourism’s WAKE UP TO MISSOURI and the animated ad for Blockbuster Video that aired on Nickelodeon as well as all major networks! Debbie’s singers can also be heard on the Sniggles, Squirrels, and Chickenpox CD by Miss Jackie. Debbie invites you to explore the subject of student motivation that is subtly intertwined with both discipline and classroom management in THESE TRICKS ARE FOR KIDS. After a bachelors degree in music education, a Masters degree in teaching, post graduate work in behavioral studies, directing vocals for commercials and national recordings, designing choreography, and entertaining as a conference speaker and workshop clinician, Debbie realizes she is an antique. After all, she was on earth before Candyland, Disneyland, Holiday Inn, Days Inn, Yahtze, or Yo-Yo’s! But she also realizes that this age-plus-experience concept doesn’t mean she’s a know-it-all authority on teaching. She has, however, had some success with some effective TRICKS up her sleeve that can help you. If you can be patient as you peruse these pages, wade through the warped wit, rummage for randomness, and keep an open mind to try some new TRICKS, there are bound to be two, ten, twelve, or twenty tidbits to tune up your teaching techniques!