In this podcast episode, I’m addressing the challenges elementary music teachers face in December with random events, field trips, and holiday festivities disrupting the normal routine. The focus is on maintaining effective teaching despite the chaos. I have three rules to help you survive the weeks leading up to the break:

1. **No New Learning:** Review during this hectic time is better than doing any new learning. You’ll hear about a whole bunch of great activities you can use for review.

2. **Keep it Fluffy:** We’ll talk about “fluffy” lessons—engaging activities unrelated to units or extensive learning—that allow students to have fun without the pressure of retaining new information.

3. **Practice Your Silly:** Let’s incorporate more silliness into the classroom to keep students engaged and excited. I’m going to share examples of quirky teaching methods and suggests finding inspiration from other silly music teachers.

The episode concludes with a preview of the next installment, teasing insights into easing students back into learning after the break with fun activities like name games and the “Back from Break” song. Be sure to listen to find some practical tips for maintaining an enjoyable and effective music education experience during a hectic time of the school year.