For Texas elementary teachers

Music is required by TEKS.
Nobody trained you to teach it.

Every song in your hands. Every lesson on video. Walk into your music block on Monday with total confidence — no music degree required.

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

Music is a district accreditation requirement.
And often it's on you to deliver it.

Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) mandate music in every elementary classroom — K through 5, every year.

It's not optional. It's not a "specials" add-on. The Texas Education Agency requires districts to provide TEKS-based instruction in music as a condition of accreditation, and instructional materials must cover 100% of the music TEKS at every grade level.

For many Texas elementary teachers — especially in smaller districts, charter schools, and private schools — that means the classroom teacher is teaching music. With no specialist support. With no music degree. With one prep period and 30 kids waiting to sing something.

That's not a failing on your part. It's a structural reality of how Texas elementary schools are staffed. The Singing Classroom was built to make that reality manageable — and even joyful — for the teachers carrying it.

K–5 Music TEKS instruction required in every Texas elementary grade as a condition of district accreditation.

"I'm 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

"The problem is that most of us think of music as a specialist area for professional musicians. Not true. Music is there for every teacher."

— Common reality of US elementary education

"I have been so nervous about teaching music — but I am getting really excited."

— First-year elementary music teacher

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 — making them perfectly suited to TEKS Music for elementary grades.

Aligned with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Music, K–5.

Foundations: music literacy

Steady beat, rhythm, melody, pitch, form. Every song is sequenced to build these foundational skills in the order Texas elementary students are expected to develop them.

Creative expression

Singing, playing, moving — students participate actively in music rather than just hearing about it. Folk songs and singing games are the most natural vehicle for elementary creative expression.

Historical & cultural relevance

The folk song repertoire connects students to American and global musical traditions — supporting TEKS expectations around music as cultural and historical expression.

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 classroom 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 what Texas elementary music TEKS 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 less than the cost of one set of photocopied worksheets a week.

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 Texas Music TEKS
  • Printable materials for every song
  • Lesson planner included
  • Works on any device
Start Your Free Trial

A few things people ask.

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, not trained music specialists.
Does this align with the Texas Music TEKS?+
Yes. The library is built on Kodály methodology — the most widely-used approach for elementary music education in the US — and the songs are sequenced to develop the foundational skills (steady beat, pitch, rhythm, form, music literacy) that the Texas Music TEKS expect at every elementary grade level, K–5.
Will this work if I only have music once a week or every other week?+
Absolutely. Many of our subscribers teach music in limited time blocks. The lesson planner lets you build a year's worth of music instruction around whatever schedule your district uses — whether that's daily, weekly, or a rotation.
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.