Okay, call me crazy… but I actually LOVE teaching recorder. 😂 Yes, really! And while I know that not every music teacher shares this enthusiasm, I’m here to tell you: you don’t have to dread your recorder unit.
Whether you’re a first-time teacher or you’ve been teaching music for years and still feel the recorder cringe, I’ve created something that will make your life so much easier — and maybe even fun.
Introducing the Recorder Beginner Basics Program — a complete, ready-to-go recorder unit designed to take all the stress out of planning, organizing, and delivering recorder lessons in your elementary music classroom. 🎵
Teaching recorder comes with a unique set of hurdles:
Class sets of instruments to manage
Students learning to control pitch and tone
Varying skill levels in one room
The dreaded squeaks and honks
Time-consuming planning if you’re starting from scratch
But when done right, recorder can be an incredible gateway to music literacy, instrument technique, and ensemble playing. That’s why I created a full, flexible system that gives you everything you need, all in one place.
This all-in-one resource includes everything you need to confidently teach recorder from Day 1 to the final concert:
🎼 Lesson Plans – Sequential and scaffolded, so students build skills gradually
📄 Student Worksheets – Printable practice pages and activities that support skill development
🎯 Assessments & Rubrics – Ready-to-use tools to check for understanding and track progress
📚 Reference Sheets – Fingering charts, note name visuals, and practice tips for students
🎵 Performance Pieces – Beginner-friendly songs students can work toward as a final goal
💡 Teaching Tips – Built-in suggestions to support classroom management and group instruction
I personally love keeping my Recorder Basics Program in a binder—each section neatly organized so I can grab what I need when I need it. At the start of the year, I make copies of my go-to pages, pop them into my binder, and I’m ready to roll.
✨ Pro Tip: Once you’ve got your binder set up, it becomes your go-to recorder curriculum hub year after year. Just print the pages you need for your new group and you’re set!
✔️ Saves you HOURS of prep time
✔️ Engages students with a variety of visuals and activities
✔️ Grows student confidence with scaffolded learning
✔️ Easily customizable to fit your classroom style or timeline
✔️ Includes everything in one download — no piecing together resources from different places!
You can grab the full Recorder Beginner Basics Program now in the
Don’t forget to check out these companion tools:
🎶 Recorder Sight Reading Melodies: Scaffolded melodies for center work or warm-ups
🎶 Recorder Exit Tickets: Quick checks for understanding and skill progress
🎶 Recorder Finger Chart Posters: Visuals that support your classroom and student practice
With the right tools in place, recorder doesn’t have to be overwhelming—it can actually be one of the most rewarding parts of your music program. Ready to give it a try?
👉 Click here to grab the Recorder Beginner Basics Program
👉 Get everything you need to make your recorder unit organized, fun, and squeak-free! 🎶
My name is Alessandra and I am a Kindergarten-Grade 8 Teacher of the Arts, specializing in music and dance education. Based in Toronto, Canada, I teach 800+ students a week and am a huge advocate for the arts. I graduated with a Bachelors of Music Therapy & Masters of Education, and I am passionate about fostering a quality music education program for every learner.
