An elementary school (K-6) general music unit presents strategies and exercises for helping students attain skills in music literacy. The first section, which is arranged by grade level, helps students read, perform, and dictate a variety of rhythmic, harmonic, and melodic patterns. The second section provides instructions and accompanying…

In this short guide, activities are described in five areas: musical instruments, games, canoe building, clothing instruction, and cooking with Hawaiian recipes. All of these activities are designed to help young Hawaiians find out about Hawaii's past. This guide is part of an artifacts kit which contains a few of the many different kinds of…

These three short articles are designed to help nonmusicians bring musical experiences into their classrooms. The articles discuss teaching resources for the nonmusical teacher; making simple, inexpensive rhythm instruments; and musical games. (Editor/SJL)

Percussion programming can be integrated into a camping experience that actively involves campers in clapping, singing, and dancing. Provides suggestions for making percussion instruments out of natural materials, and offers ideas for using percussion in storytelling, listening activities, and camper wake-up calls. (LP)

Presents hands-on science activities that help students learn the concepts of hearing and sound while allowing students to practice science process skills. Students investigate the use of alternative phonograph speakers and needles and apply the knowledge learned to the construction of one-string banjos. (MDH)

Presents a lesson plan for keyboard instruction excerpted from "Strategies for Teaching Middle-Level and High School Keyboard" (compiled by Martha Hilley and Tommie Pardue. Reston, VA: Music Educators National Conference, 1996). Provides objectives, materials, required background knowledge, procedures, evaluation indicators, and…

The book contains information on musical activities which were field tested in Project PASE (Program in the Arts for Special Education, Pennsylvania) classrooms with a wide range of exceptionalities from preschool age to adolescence. Activities are seen to help children become more aware of their bodies, feelings, and themselves; feel important…

The author highlights some of the progressive trends in jazz band arrangements--woodwind doubling, synthesizers, strings, multipercussion, and other nontraditional instruments--and suggests sources for such scores to school jazz band directors. This article is part of a theme issue on popular music. (Author/SJL)

Discusses how choral directors and choirs can collaborate with a percussionist when a drum or other instrument is needed for a performance. Explores details, such as instrument availability and storage as well as working with a percussionist. Focuses on specific types of music. (CMK)

Contends that teaching contemporary music pieces that are largely improvised provides an ideal learning opportunity for students. Focuses on the piece "Improvisations I," stating that the version presented is intended for college students. Describes the performance of each section of the piece and provides suggestions for rehearsal. (CMK)

This study guide was designed to help high school students learn the basic skills in classical guitar playing, technique, fingerboard knowledge, and musicianship. The introduction describes how to read the music notation that is presented in traditional music form and also in tablature diagrams showing finger positioning in the guitar neck.…

This guide contains lesson plans for music teachers and music specialists in grades K-4. The role of music education is to provide a balanced exposure to all music and musical experiences, allowing students to develop tastes and skills based upon a broad knowledge of music. The guide consists of two levels. The first half of the guide contains…

This curriculum guide contains objectives, activities, and evaluation procedures for a K-12 music education program. It would be useful to anyone responsible for teaching music. The authors believe that music education has the dual obligation of developing the aesthetic sensitivity of all students regardless of their individual levels of musical…

Techniques that elementary teachers can use to motivate students to develop their reading skills with greater enthusiasm are presented. These include the "eye chart" game, the "get to the head of the class" game, the "I can see what you can see" game, and the "song puzzle" game. (RM)

In response to a need for curricular support, the Idaho State Department of Education gathered teams of exemplary educators from throughout the state to write courses of study related to the original five subject areas within Idaho's Achievement Standards. In turn, all of the state's school districts received hard copies as well as online…