Describes three approaches for having students compose music to improve music education. Approaches include: (1) teacher-guided class composition; (2) small-group composition; and (3) individual free composition. As skills develop, students are motivated to learn to read, notate, and play their music. (LS)

Urges the use of marionettes and puppet theater to introduce opera to elementary school students. Demonstrates methods for immersing students in opera throughout the school year by designing sets, creating marionettes, painting backdrops, and discussing story and music. (LS)

Argues that Music in Our Schools Month (MIOSM) activities can serve as an excellent public relations tool to strengthen community support of school music programs. Points out that a musical performance offers opportunities for good publicity. (LS)

Describes a high school music technology course that uses a project-oriented approach to teach students about hardware and software tools for sequencing, arranging, multitrack recording, and mixing. Course equipment is listed, and the MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) is briefly described. Copyright guidelines for educational uses of…

This article comments on proposals concerning the music component of the British National Curriculum as it applies to students with special educational needs. The article addresses attainment targets, emphasis on practical activities, the benefits of music in special education, examples of music teaching, and the need for adequate resources. (DB)

Popular music is discussed as a means of interesting adolescents and young adults in a foreign culture and language. A number of language class exercises are offered, focusing on different aspects of the songs and their roles: vocabulary; musical structure; culture contact; syntax; and creativity. (MSE)

Describes the development and implementation of a health promotion curriculum for four- and five-year-old children in a preschool class. The curriculum emphasized the use of the visual arts, drama, and music as learning strategies for health promotion. (BB)

A teacher training workshop uses linked tasks through which teachers explore the integration of pop music into Mexican secondary school English classes. Rather than being discrete, marginal items, pop music activities are worth linking, elaborating, and treating as more central in a secondary school program. (Contains 10 references.) (Author)

Discusses what a sign system is, using the examples of art, music, drama, mathematics, and language. Explores how people use signs, and research on sign systems. Investigates how multiple sign systems can be incorporated into the classroom. Notes that supporting learners' flexible use of multiple sign systems may offer a better way to teach…

Thirty-two high school students were categorized by creativity style (adaptor or innovator) and completed two musical composition problems involving two different degrees of problem-finding behaviors: an open, and a closed, problem. No significant differences due to problem type, creativity style, or the interaction of the two factors was found.…

Notes that classroom management is an important part of teaching, and discusses movement, music, and drama as effective classroom-management tools for difficult parts of the daily routine. Offers examples of songs, chants, finger plays, and other activities to ease the stress of waiting, or to help meet the physical and emotional demands of young…

Discusses the family night concert as a way to involve family members in music education, where they can participate in the orchestra or as part of a family act. Describes how to create the family concert. Includes a sample invitation and a program to a family night performance. (CMK)

Asserts that music is an important part of child development, but music experiences in preschool are often haphazard. Provides suggestions for developing music activities, including: using singing as program basis; choosing easy to sing music; understanding the relationship between music and creativity; slowly introducing movement experiences;…

Discusses how adults can infuse music in young children's routines to nurture powerful learning connections. Includes discussion of musical development, its impact on other developmental domains, and brain development and music. Highlights four music activities to illustrate developmentally appropriate music experiences, asserting that…

"Sound2Picture" (www.sound2picture.net) is the latest stage in a series of research and development projects being conducted at Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU). It documents the work of one sound designer who demonstrated a host of new skills and imaginative practices with hardware and software. The article shares aspects of…