General Music Today current issue

From the Chair

Inks, K. — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 11:55:15 PDT

From the Editor: Engaging Students Through Contrast and Compare, a Podcast, and YouTube

Persellin, D. — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 11:55:15 PDT

Mom and Little Richard: The Benefits of Contrast-and-Compare Activities

Miller, B. A. — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 11:55:15 PDT

This article discusses the numerous benefits of employing contrast-and-compare lessons in music education settings. Such activities focus on the elements of music through the higher-order thinking processes of analyzing, comparing, organizing, and evaluating.They also integrate with the teaching goals and practices of many general educators in other subject areas. By posing interesting and open-ended questions, contrast-and-compare lessons promote engagement by students of all ability levels. Finally, this technique offers opportunities for authentic formative and summative student assessment. Readers will be given carefully reasoned rationale, supporting references, and suggestions for specific lesson designs.

Reading and Rhythm: Binding Language Arts and Music in an Academic Notebook

Pearman, C. J., Friedman, T. — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 11:55:15 PDT

The use of an academic notebook in an elementary music classroom is an effective way of integrating language arts into music instruction while helping students to reflect and think critically about music. Academic notebooks are student-created tools that help organize and track learning while students gain conceptual knowledge. The notebooks are designed to foster discussion, encourage reading and writing strategy development, and provide application activities to further strengthen the learning of music concepts. Combining music instruction with language arts reinforces integration of curriculum areas while providing academic support for a liberal arts program by enhancing its connection to the teaching and learning of literacy.

The Power of Musical Play: The Value of Play-Based, Child-Centered Curriculum in Early Childhood Music Education

Niland, A. — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 11:55:15 PDT

Young children learn through play.This has long been acknowledged in the writings of educational theorists dating back as far as Rousseau, Pestalozzi, and Froebel and is strongly supported by current early childhood research. Play is at the heart of contemporary early childhood pedagogy, and this has led to a strong belief in the importance of an emergent, child-centered approach to curriculum. Although music educators commonly recognize the importance of making music enjoyable, music education pedagogy for young children is often teacher led and structured toward specific behavioral outcomes. Research has shown, however, that child-centered musical play can be a powerful medium for young children’s exploration of many musical elements and concepts.

Peter and the Wolf

Ammon, R. — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 11:55:15 PDT

Brain-Compatible Music Teaching

Kenney, S. — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 11:55:15 PDT

See! Hear! Enhanced Podcasting With GarageBand

Nardo, R. — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 11:55:15 PDT

The Exquisite Recorder

Reynolds, G. A., Gottschalk, T. — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 11:55:16 PDT

Enhancing Social Competence in the Music Classroom

Gooding, L. — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 11:55:16 PDT

Multicultural Resources

Burton, J. B., McFarland, A. L. — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 11:55:16 PDT