Teaching General Music

General music is informed by a variety of teaching approaches and methods. These pedagogical frameworks guide teachers in planning and implementing instruction. Established approaches to teaching general music must be understood, critically examined, and possibly re-imagined for their potential in school and community music education programs. Teaching General Music brings together the top scholars and practitioners in general music education to create a panoramic view of general music pedagogy and to provide critical lenses through which to view these frameworks. The collection includes an examination of the most prevalent approaches to teaching general music, including Dalcroze, Informal Learning, Interdisciplinary, Kodály, Music Learning Theory, Orff Schulwerk, Social Constructivism, and World Music Pedagogy. In addition, it provides critical analyses of general music and teaching systems, in light of the ways children around the world experience music in their lives. Rather than promoting or advocating for any single approach to teaching music, this book presents the various approaches in conversation with one another. Highlighting the perceived and documented benefits, limits, challenges, and potentials of each, Teaching General Music offers myriad lenses through which to re-read, re-think, and re-practice these approaches.

General music is informed by a variety of teaching approaches and methods. These pedagogical frameworks guide teachers in planning and implementing instruction. Established approaches to teaching general music must be understood, critically examined, and possibly re-imagined for their potential in school and community music education programs. Teaching General Music brings together the top scholars and practitioners in general music education to create a panoramic view of general music pedagogy and to provide critical lenses through which to view these frameworks. The collection includes an examination of the most prevalent approaches to teaching general music, including Dalcroze, Informal Learning, Interdisciplinary, Kodály, Music Learning Theory, Orff Schulwerk, Social Constructivism, and World Music Pedagogy. In addition, it provides critical analyses of general music and teaching systems, in light of the ways children around the world experience music in their lives. Rather than promoting or advocating for any single approach to teaching music, this book presents the various approaches in conversation with one another. Highlighting the perceived and documented benefits, limits, challenges, and potentials of each, Teaching General Music offers myriad lenses through which to re-read, re-think, and re-practice these approaches.

This text presents essential theories and methods for teaching music in the elementary and middle schools in a format that reflects current thinking in teacher training. Through the use of case studies, cooperative tasks, and teaching scripts, students are engaged in the challenging realities and joys of teaching general music. The text helps student develop skills in lesson-planning and evaluation and offers effective ways to engage children in meaningful music experiences through singing, listening, moving, playing instruments, composing, and reading music. Kodaly, Dalcroze, and Orff approaches are covered, as are major learning theories. Current topics include mainstreaming, multicultural classrooms, gender issues, creative and critical thinking, cooperative learning, and whole language approaches. Because of the many innovative teaching approaches found in this text, it can serve a wide variety of students. The case studies, teaching scripts, and role playing activities will work equally well in courses for music education majors and in courses which prepare elementary school teachers to incorporate music into their curriculum. The book can also serve as a resource for graduate music education courses.

Create a viable, meaningful program that will motivate your students and have them participating with enthusiasm with Middle School General Music: The Best Part of Your Day. A welcome guidebook for music teachers trying to navigate the sometimes turbulent waters of middle school general music, it offers strategies and lessons that have been created in the real world of general music by a practicing teacher. Revised and expanded to align with the National Core Arts Standards, each section of this second edition is full of tips and lessons to help middle schoolers develop a life-long love of music. From instructional units to composition projects, rhythm games to listening lessons, you’ll find plenty of ideas for working with young adolescents. An appendix of suggested resources steers you to materials appropriate for middle-level students. Bolster your program with the discussion about why general music is so vital in middle school. If your music classes feel like the perfect storm, let McAnally make them the best part of your day.

General Music: Dimensions of Practice is a practical guide for music teachers and teaching artists who strive to teach music holistically. The book begins by framing general music as a holistic music education that is comprehensive, meaningful, and relevant to diverse learners in school and community settings. It is followed by chapters that are organized into one of four dimensions of music practice: performing, connecting, creating, and responding. Chapter authors share creative and innovative teaching ideas, for both elementary and secondary school students, that focus on a wide range of topics, including: songwriting, composing, improvising, singing, moving, playing, listening, analyzing, contextualizing, and connecting. Each chapter provides (a) a rationale for a given area of music study, establishing its importance and relevance; (b) a research or theoretical background, to inform and guide practice; and (c) a pedagogical model or framework illustrated through lesson ideas, curriculum units, or vignettes. The ideas in this book seek to inspire and guide teachers as they build comprehensive music programs that are informed by students and communities.

Teaching elementary music is rewarding, yet exhausting, no matter if you're a new or Veteran teacher. There are so many things that happen during any given day, and it can leave you feeling overwhelmed and maxed out when you're not expecting it. In Make A Note, Jessica reveals from her own experiences what she wishes someone had told her before she stepped foot into her first classroom. Little did she know there was much more to teaching music than just lesson planning and implementing the lessons. After reading through the pages of this book, you'll find your confidence, identify feelings that may have held you back, and will feel prepared to tackle any unexpected challenges that may come up during the school year. But Make A Note will also inspire you to realize you're not alone and that there are elementary music teachers all over the world who can relate to you and get what you're going through.

A Field Guide to Student Teaching in Music, Second Edition, serves as a practical guide for the music education student, one that recognizes the importance of effective coursework while addressing the unique field-based aspects of the music classroom. Student teaching in music is a singular experience, presenting challenges beyond those encountered in general education classroom settings: educators must plan for singing and movement, performances and rehearsals, intensive parent involvement, uniforms, community outreach, and much more. This guide explores such topics common to all music placements as well as those specific to general, choral, and instrumental music classrooms, building on theoretical materials often covered in music methods courses and yet not beholden to any one pedagogy, thus allowing for a dynamic and flexible approach for various classroom settings. New to the second edition: Companion website featuring downloadable worksheets, résumé support, a cooperating teacher guide, and more: www.musicstudentteaching.com A new chapter on the transition from student to student teacher Expanded discussions on the interview process, including mock interviews, interviewing techniques, and online interview prep Updated content throughout to reflect current practices in the field. Leading readers through the transition from student to teacher, A Field Guide to Student Teaching in Music, Second Edition, represents a necessary update to the first edition text published a decade ago, an indispensable resource that provides the insights and skillsets students need to launch successful careers as music educators.

This book is a full multimedia curriculum that contains over 60 Lesson Plans in 29 Units of Study, Student Assignments Sheets, Worksheets, Handouts, Audio and MIDI files to teach a wide array of musical topics, including: general/basic music theory, music appreciation and analysis, keyboarding, composing/arranging, even ear-training (aural theory) using technology.