For California elementary teachers

Prop 28 funded the role.
We'll fill the lesson plan.

Every song in your hands. Every lesson on video. Step into your new arts position on Monday with total confidence — no music degree required.

Kodály-aligned methodology
K–5 sequenced repertoire
Demonstrated on video
Used by 600+ teachers

The funding finally arrived.
Now someone has to teach the music.

California Proposition 28 changed everything — and put a lot of pressure on a lot of teachers who didn't ask for it.

Prop 28, the Arts and Music in Schools Funding Guarantee, now sends roughly 1% of California's Prop 98 funding directly to K-12 schools for arts education. Districts with 500 or more students are required to spend 80% of those funds employing arts educators. The result: thousands of new and expanded music positions across California — many filled by teachers brought in mid-career, mid-credential, or directly from classroom teaching backgrounds.

If you're one of them, you know the situation: the funding came fast, the hiring came fast, and now you're standing in front of an elementary class three days a week with the words "music teacher" on your door — and not a lot of training to back it up.

That's not a personal failing. That's what happens when policy moves faster than teacher preparation. The Singing Classroom was built to bridge that exact gap.

80% of Prop 28 funds at California districts with 500+ students must go to employing arts educators — creating new music roles across the state.

"I just subscribed and I LOVE it. I am a regular classroom teacher who now teaches music to grades K–3. I have been so nervous about it — but I am getting really excited."

— Lisa, new elementary music teacher

"For the first time I feel like I'm actually teaching music properly and the children are experiencing a real music curriculum."

— Elementary teacher, after using a structured singing program

"The helpful videos make it so much easier to learn new material before teaching it."

— PK–7 music teacher, year 4

Watch. Learn. Teach.

No prep time. No music degree required. Just follow the lesson and let the songs do the work.

1

Pick your song

Browse by grade level (Kindergarten through 5th), by musical concept, or by song name. Every song includes a full teaching video shot in a real classroom.

2

Watch Deborah teach it

See exactly how to introduce the song, run the game, and develop the musical concept. Every gesture, every cue — demonstrated with real children. You know what to do before you walk in.

3

Walk in confident

You're not improvising. You're not hoping it'll work. You've seen it work. Your class sings, plays, and learns — and you're the teacher who made it happen.

Watch Deborah teach — then do it yourself

Every song in the library comes with a full classroom video. Here are three examples.

SaraspondaGrades 4–6  ·  Stick game  ·  Rhythmic coordination
Oh Row the Rattlin' BogGrades 1–5  ·  Folk song  ·  Cumulative form
Apple TreeGrades K–2  ·  Singing game  ·  Solo singing

Songs your students already know.
And ones they'll never forget.

The Singing Classroom includes 150+ folk songs and singing games — sequenced for musical development, demonstrated on video, ready to teach in your classroom.

Every song links to its own full lesson page with lyrics, game instructions, and teaching guide. All songs are pedagogically sequenced and Kodály-aligned — supporting the four California Arts Standards artistic processes (Creating, Performing, Responding, Connecting) at every elementary grade.

Supports the California Arts Standards for Music, K–5.

Creating

Song structures and musical games give students natural entry points to improvise, vary, and create musical ideas — without requiring notation knowledge.

Performing

Singing games and folk songs are participation-first by design — every student performs, develops pitch and rhythm, and grows musical confidence.

Responding & Connecting

Active listening, cultural context, and reflection are built into every lesson. The folk repertoire connects students to American, European, and global musical traditions.

Built on Kodály principles. Accessible to every teacher.

Kodály methodology puts the singing voice first — which means it's the most natural approach for a teacher with no instrumental background. You don't need to play piano. You don't need to read music. You need to sing with your class, and we show you exactly how.

The songs are sequenced for musical development, not just enjoyment. Each one builds specific skills — steady beat, pitch matching, rhythmic awareness, form — in an order that makes sense for how children learn and aligns with the developmental progression the California Arts Standards expect.

D
Deborah Skydell, Co-founder

Master's degree in Choral Music (University of Illinois). Kodály certified. Orff and Dalcroze trained. 30+ years teaching music to children from Pre-K through 8th grade.

From teachers who felt exactly like you do.

★★★★★

"I just subscribed and I LOVE it. I am a regular classroom teacher who now teaches music to grades K–3. I have been so nervous about it — but I am getting really excited after less than an hour of looking at your site!"

Lisa
Classroom teacher, not a music specialist
★★★★★

"I've been searching for a subscription to refresh my music curriculum and this has surpassed my expectations. The helpful videos are brilliant and make it so much easier to learn new material before teaching it."

Christina
PK–7 Music Teacher, 4th year
★★★★★

"This is the BEST website I've ever used for songs, singing games, Orff extensions, and general music curriculum. My students LOVE the music and the demonstration videos are helpful for both teacher and students."

Kathleen
Elementary Music Teacher

Start Your Free Trial Today

Everything in one place.

Full teaching videos

Every song demonstrated in a real classroom with real children. Watch Deborah teach it from start to finish — including how to handle the moments when students need redirecting.

Printable materials

Sheet music, lyric sheets, classroom posters, and manipulatives — all printable. Every resource you need to run the lesson is included.

Lesson planner

Build your unit plan with drag-and-drop simplicity. Organize songs by grade level, musical concept, or theme. Print it or access it on any device in the classroom.

Search by concept or grade

Find the right song for your lesson in seconds. Search by grade level (K–5), musical concept, or song title.

One subscription. Every song.

Full access to the entire library — all songs, all videos, all printables, the lesson planner — for a fraction of what your district would spend on a single in-service training day.

7-day free trial

Full library access

$219.95

per year  ·  cancel any time

  • 150+ songs with full teaching videos
  • Sequenced K–5 elementary repertoire
  • Aligned with California Arts Standards
  • Printable materials for every song
  • Lesson planner included
  • Works on any device
Start Your Free Trial

A few things people ask.

Can my Prop 28 arts funds pay for this subscription?+
Eligibility for Prop 28 fund use is set by each district. The California Department of Education allows Prop 28 funds to be used for arts education program supplies and materials, in addition to educator employment. The Singing Classroom is the kind of instructional resource many districts include — but the decision is made at your district or school site level. Check with your administrator or arts coordinator for guidance.
Do I need a music degree to use this?+
Not at all. The teaching videos show you exactly what to do — every gesture, every cue, every word. If you can watch a video and follow along, you can teach these songs. Many of our subscribers are classroom teachers or newly-placed music teachers without conservatory training.
Does this align with the California Arts Standards?+
Yes. The library supports the four artistic processes outlined in the California Arts Standards for Music — Creating, Performing, Responding, and Connecting — across all elementary grades from Kindergarten through 5th. The Kodály-based sequence develops the foundational musical skills the standards expect at every grade band.
What happens after the free trial?+
After 7 days, your subscription starts at $219.95 per year. Cancel any time before the 7 days are up and you won't be charged.
Can I use this on my classroom projector or whiteboard?+
Yes — The Singing Classroom works on any device with a browser. Teachers regularly use it directly on their classroom projector or interactive whiteboard during the lesson.
Is this a deductible educator expense?+
A subscription to The Singing Classroom is the kind of professional development resource that many educators include in the IRS Educator Expense Deduction (Form 1040). Limits and eligibility apply — check with your tax preparer for guidance on your specific situation.