THIS HANDBOOK PRESENTS SPECIFIC SUGGESTIONS CONCERNING CONTENT, METHODS, AND MATERIALS APPROPRIATE FOR USE IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF AN INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM IN GENERAL MUSIC FOR GRADES 7 AND 8. TWENTY-FIVE TEACHING UNITS ARE PROVIDED AND ARE RECOMMENDED FOR ADAPTATION TO MEET SITUATIONAL CONDITIONS. THE TEACHING UNITS ARE GROUPED UNDER THE GENERAL TOPIC HEADINGS OF (1) ELEMENTS OF MUSIC, (2) THE SCIENCE OF SOUND, (3) MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, (4) AMERICAN FOLK MUSIC, (5) MUSIC IN NEW YORK STATE, (6) MUSIC OF THE THEATER, (7) MUSIC FOR INSTRUMENTAL GROUPS, (8) OPERA, (9) MUSIC OF OTHER CULTURES, AND (10) HISTORICAL PERIODS IN MUSIC. THE PRESENTATION OF EACH UNIT CONSISTS OF SUGGESTIONS FOR (1) SETTING THE STAGE, (2) INTRODUCTORY DISCUSSION, (3) INITIAL MUSICAL EXPERIENCES, (4) DISCUSSION AND DEMONSTRATION, (5) APPLICATION OF SKILLS AND UNDERSTANDINGS, (6) RELATED PUPIL ACTIVITIES, AND (7) CULMINATING CLASS ACTIVITY (WHERE APPROPRIATE). SUITABLE PERFORMANCE LITERATURE, RECORDINGS, AND FILMS ARE CITED FOR USE WITH EACH OF THE UNITS. SEVEN EXTENSIVE BIBLIOGRAPHIES ARE INCLUDED, AND SOURCES OF BIBLIOGRAPHICAL ENTRIES, RECORDINGS, AND FILMS ARE LISTED. (JS)