Darla Hanley's Music Room
Creative Teaching for Students of Today (& Tomorrow) PK-8
Today’s Post: DHMR Hits the Big 5-0!
(Announcement, Reflection, and Bonus)
© 2025 Darla S. Hanley
Announcement
🎵 Announcing the Darla Hanley’s Music Room Public Playlist ” Link to Playlist on Spotify.
This is the FULL list of tracks included in the first DHMR 50 posts. Check it out!
Wow. This is my 50th post on Substack! Over the past several months I’ve been writing teaching strategies with original songs, chants, games, dances, etc., and offering tips, suggestions, and advice. It’s been a fun ride—and I can’t wait to see where I go next (lol).
When I look at the Spotify playlist curated for these posts I find 3+ hours of music filled with examples from yesterday and today—across styles and genres!
Additionally, it’s filled with artists I’ve known forever; along with new ones found in the process of writing DHMR content.
I’m having a ball finding the tracks and being creative; all to contribute to music education. I want to thank everyone for reading…and supporting my work!
Before I go on, let me remind you who I am:
Hi! I’m Darla, an experienced PK-12 music educator, college professor, and former Berklee College of Music Dean looking to connect with teachers, parents/caregivers, and others seeking to advance creative music making for today’s students—and their teachers. In Darla Hanley’s Music Room you will find teaching strategies, advice and teaching tips, playlists, and more.
50/50
50 seems like a good time for reflection, self-assessment, and the identification of few new goals. I’m working on that (lol). In the meantime, one of my biggest take-a-ways from writing DHMR is about using personal creativity as a tool to support others. Writing a chant, song, or game is one thing—but seeing it in action with teachers and students is another—and it’s the best!
We all know that being a teacher is a life dedicated to empowering others. Teachers work to impart knowledge and help students develop skills. Teachers strive to get students to be curious and independent—to ask questions, use critical and creative thinking, and apply what they know and can to in 1M ways. And finally, teachers bring their creative voice (and spin) to the classroom. Thanks for all of that.
As I sit here today, SO focused on the number 50 (lol). I’m reminded that teaching and learning is a 2-way street:
Students learn from teachers—and teachers learn from students.
Of course you know what you were teaching today (lol), but don’t forget to also take a moment to reflect on what students actually learned from you AND what you learned from them. 50/50.
Thanks for reading—and sharing DHMR with your friends and colleagues if you are inspired to do that... I’d appreciate it. We’re in this together! Onward to 51, but first:
Another DHMR Bonus!
Here’s a downloadable PDF showing the title, grade level, and focus of the first 50 DHMR posts. It’s a cool list and “table of contents” kinda thing. Check it out!
