Deanna Plotke
Valley Village, California, United States
About the store
Originally, I was going to school to become a professional trombonist. I started out volunteering at an elementary school, helping the brass section. I was then asked the next year to come back and lead the elementary band. I fell in love with teaching music. Once I finished my Bachelors in Music Performance on Trombone, I went back to school to complete all the music education courses and enter the teaching credential program. I student taught at a high school and middle school. Completing the teaching credential program in 1 year, I took a job at my second interviewing school. I have been at that school for 15 years teaching middle school band and orchestra during the normal school session and general music during winter session.
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Composer Report (extra credit)
This is the composer report that is connected to the extra credit I posted in my store. This report has the student answer questions about any composer they choose. Then, taking those answers they write up a report. This has allowed for LESS plagiarism.
3rd - 12th
Instrumental Music, Music, Music Composition
Music Timeline Square (extra credit)
This is the worksheet connected to my Music Extra Credit in my store. This is a 2 page worksheet that is having students research a music event or person connected to music between 1994 to current year. My music timeline posters go until 1994, so I thought it would be fun to gather student work that is made through the years that extend the years in music.
3rd - 12th
Instrumental Music, Music, Music Composition
Music Extra Credit
I wish I didn't have to have extra credit, but students and parents always want a way for the student to have the ability to raise their grade after a semester of them not doing work. So here it is.... I offer 12 different types of extra credit. I didn't attach the worksheets that are requested for the composer report and time line, just in case you have one of your own. I do have them for purchase in my store if you need them. I post this at the classroom doors and I hand it out at the beginni
3rd - 12th
Instrumental Music, Music, Other (Performing Arts)
Benchmark and Playing Test Evaluation Comment Grading Sheet
I grew up with music teachers doing different ways to grade how I played a test. They wouldn't take the time to tell me what I needed to fix and points taken away was not always fair based on the grade I got. I started as a music teacher testing how I was tested and was immediately not happy with the results. I wanted the students to know what they did wrong, so they could fix their mistakes and I wanted to give comments on how to improve. My school pushed us teachers to have students comment on
3rd - 12th
Instrumental Music, Music, Other (Performing Arts)
Instrumental Playing Test Evaluation Comment Sheet
I grew up with music teachers doing different ways to grade how I played a test. They wouldn't take the time to tell me what I needed to fix and points taken away was not always fair based on the grade I got. I started as a music teacher testing how I was tested and was immediately not happy with the results. I wanted the students to know what they did wrong, so they could fix their mistakes and I wanted to give comments on how to improve. My school pushed us teachers to have students comment on
3rd - 12th
Instrumental Music, Music, Other (Performing Arts)
Identify Winter Song
This a great worksheet to use for decorating your classroom, substitute worksheet, and/or filler for students who are done early with their work. Depending on the season, I have different types. For example, this one is for winter. Students have to pick a song they would normally hear during the winter. Some students may think the song has to have the word winter. No, it doesn't have to. As a class, students shout out or popcorn turns of saying different titles of music. A lot are holiday, but t
3rd - 12th
Instrumental Music, Music, Vocal Music
Orchestra Choice sheet
This is a instrument choice sheet for orchestra. The sheet is given at the beginning of the school year as the music director goes through each orchestra instrument explaining the name, the family, why it is in that family, description of the instrument, and allowing the students to write what they like about the instrument. After each instrument is shown, the student picks 2 instruments, circling the ones they choose and numbering 1 & 2. Note: I physically show the instrument, allow the stud
4th - 12th, Adult Education, Higher Education
Instrumental Music, Music, Other (Performing Arts)
Band Choice Sheet 3 of 3: Percussion
This is 3 of 3 instrument choice sheets for band. The 3 sheets are a packet given at the beginning of the school year as the music director goes through each band instrument explaining the name, the family it belongs to, why it is in that family, description of the instrument, and allowing the students to write what they like about the instrument. After each instrument is shown, the student picks 3 instruments, circling the ones they choose and numbering 1 through 3. For the percussion choice, i
4th - 12th, Adult Education, Higher Education
Instrumental Music, Music, Other (Performing Arts)
Band Choice Sheet 2 of 3: Brass
This is 2 of 3 instrument choice sheets for band. The 3 sheets are a packet given at the beginning of the school year as the music director goes through each band instrument explaining the name, the family it belongs to, why it is in that family, description of the instrument, and allowing the students to write what they like about the instrument. After each instrument is shown, the student picks 3 instruments, circling the ones they choose and numbering 1 through 3. For the percussion choice, i
4th - 12th, Adult Education, Higher Education
Instrumental Music, Music, Other (Performing Arts)
Band Choice Sheet 1 of 3: Woodwind
This is 1 of 3 instrument choice sheets for band. The 3 sheets are a packet given at the beginning of the school year as the music director goes through each band instrument explaining the name, the family it belongs to, why it is in that family, description of the instrument, and allowing the students to write what they like about the instrument. After each instrument is shown, the student picks 3 instruments, circling the ones they choose and numbering 1 through 3. For the percussion choice, i
4th - 12th, Adult Education, Higher Education
Instrumental Music, Music, Other (Performing Arts)
Weird Facts Worksheet
This is a worksheet to help students identify note letters on the lines or spaces of the Treble Clef and Bass Clef. It is a fun way to learn and check if they did it correct. If the sentence or word does not make sense, then a letter name may be incorrect. The students enjoy learning the fun facts.
4th - 12th, Adult Education, Higher Education
Instrumental Music, Music, Music Composition
Identify Spring Song
This a great worksheet to use for decorating your classroom, substitute worksheet, and/or filler for students who are done early with their work. Depending on the season, I have different types. For example, this one is for spring. Students have to pick a song they would normally hear during the spring. Some students may think the song has to have the word spring. No, it doesn't have to. I explain after the winter season, the sun is starting to shine, it's starting to warm up, you may be traveli
3rd - 12th, Adult Education, Higher Education
Music
Identify Summer Song
This a great worksheet to use for decorating your classroom, substitute worksheet, and/or filler for students who are done early with their work. Depending on the season, I have different types. For example, this one is for summer. Students have to pick a song they would normally hear during the summer. Some students may think the song has to have the word summer. No, it doesn't have to. I explain the song is something you would listen to if you were at the park or beach with your friends. "Wha
3rd - 12th, Adult Education, Higher Education
Music
Blank Music Staff Practice Log
Over the years I struggled with students not turning in their practice logs. In 2021, I found if I incorporated a daily warm-up and daily homework notation, there was a greater percentage turning in the practice log. In my account I have the blank rhythm line for free. This one is the music staff. I start my semester with students writing a rhythm measure a day for a warm-up and as a class we figure out where each beat lands. The students get used to writing rhythms, a time signature, and writi
4th - 12th, Adult Education, Higher Education
Music
Do You Have The Time? Time Signature
I wanted to make learning the time signature fun. I remember when I was in college, I finally was explained what each number was about. I then looked back into my grade school classes thinking "If only they took the time to explain it better, I would have been better at reading music". This worksheet goes through each step. Understanding what each number is, what the code for the bottom number is, how to properly write the time signature and how to say the time signature.
3rd - 12th
Instrumental Music, Music, Music Composition
Music Rules Poster
My school pushes "Positive Behavior" type of atmosphere. They do not want us to say "Don't", "Can Not", etc. I created this poster which is poster outside my classroom and inside my classroom in various areas. We also go over each one at the beginning of the school year. It has a more "WHY" you should be doing a certain action versus why you should not be doing a certain action.
PreK - 12th
Instrumental Music, Music, Music Composition
Practice Log with Rhythm Warm-Up
Over the years I struggled with students not turning in their practice logs. In 2021, I found if I incorporated a daily warm-up and daily homework notation, there was a greater percentage turning in the practice log. I start my semester with students writing a rhythm measure a day for a warm-up and as a class we figure out where each beat lands. The students get used to writing rhythms, a time signature, and writing the beats under the rhythms. Once the semester has progressed, I switch the pr
5th - 12th
Instrumental Music, Music, Other (Performing Arts)
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About the store
Experience
Originally, I was going to school to become a professional trombonist. I started out volunteering at an elementary school, helping the brass section. I was then asked the next year to come back and lead the elementary band. I fell in love with teaching music. Once I finished my Bachelors in Music Performance on Trombone, I went back to school to complete all the music education courses and enter the teaching credential program. I student taught at a high school and middle school. Completing the teaching credential program in 1 year, I took a job at my second interviewing school. I have been at that school for 15 years teaching middle school band and orchestra during the normal school session and general music during winter session.
Teaching style
The books I use in band are Standards of Excellence and in orchestra is All for Strings. I constantly modify what I give extra to my students and what is learned in the book. I started out going one after the other, but quickly found it boring the students and I was bored. I believe in students choosing their instrument for a reason. It's our jobs to keep that flame alive in the student and expose them to music they will be motivated to learn. Motivation is a FABULOUS tool to teach them the technics they need to learn and master. For example: I give students music they would be familiar with from shows, radio, cartoons, movies, etc. as a side fun thing for them to practice. I try to connect what they learn from their books and sheet music to music they know, culture, and bring technology in the classroom to give them further exploration in music.
My own education history
High School: Santa Susana Magnet Performing Arts High School
College: California State University Northridge
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