Q. If you were going to create different monthly binders, what categories would you create? I've thought of movement, listening, singing, etc., but so many of the ideas fit into multiple categories.

A. What I've done for all my Music K-8 ideas is to make two binders so far that aren't too big. A bigger binder would hold it all, but then it is harder to flip through, I feel. Then I made categories the way I might look for things. I've listed them below, but I'm sure I've forgotten something as the binder is at school:

September/Start of School

Fall/Halloween

Thanksgiving

Winter/Christmas

Spring

Summer/End of School

Lesson Plans (from others)

Lesson Plans (my ideas)

Movement

Singing

Recorders - General

Recorder Karate

Games

Note Naming

Listening

Rhythm

solfège

Various Worksheets (for the ones that don't fit in a specific category)

Books About Songs

Instruments

Orff Arrangements (I keep a copy here as well as in whichever season they fit into)

And then I have sections for each grade level for stuff that is specific to their ages. If I have a certain idea that fits in more than one category, I just copy it and file it under both.