This article outlines how fandom for popular music can he used to enhance students' music experiences in and out of the classroom. Examples are given from the author's own teaching in elementary school and from an ongoing study he has been conducting with preservice teachers undertaking teaching practicum experiences in schools where there is a…

Musical play is part of children's culture. They sing and dance in rhythmic and pitched patterns alone, together, and with toys, household items, and yard objects. There are, however, cultural variations in how children participate in musical play and at what ages they are expected to play in certain ways. As guardians of children's musical…

This study was the third in a series examining the relationships among conductors, ensembles' performances, and festival ratings. Participants (N = 51) were asked to score the quality of video-only conducting and parallel audio-only excerpts of performances at a state-level concert festival of nine bands, three each that had received ratings of…

The article presents activities that tap into elementary and middle school children's multiple ways of knowing by having them visually express impressions and thoughts about music, and conversely, express their impressions of visual art by creating music. Because most children learn through both visual and auditory senses, they may foster deeper…

This paper steps outside of conventional frameworks of schooling and examines inclusion from the perspective of eight young people and adults who play Scottish fiddle music in a group. The participants were asked to talk about their experiences of playing and their involvement with the group in practice and performance sessions. The group had been…

Music educators today have a responsibility and a unique opportunity to introduce their students to the art music of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Elementary and secondary school students should know that composers are living and working in their communities. They should be aware of the diverse styles and genres of contemporary music…

The challenge for music education is to nurture and develop each individual's basic musicality. Assuming normal neurological functioning and development, we are all musical. Our musical development begins pre-birth, with musical behaviours in one form or another being evident across the lifespan. Nevertheless, early enculturation can both foster…

Music offers toddlers many opportunities for playful exploration, discovery, self-expression and communication. However, in some settings the reality of the many demands of a busy daily program means children are offered only occasional or limited music experiences. Further, some playroom staff are uncertain about how best to plan music…

This report summarizes findings from the Academy for Educational Development's (AED's) evaluation of After-School Math PLUS (ASM+). This program was designed to help students find the math in everyday experiences and create awareness about the importance of math skills for future career options. The evaluation was conducted by AED's Center for…

The purpose of this study was to examine the short-term effects of a music education intervention on the receptive language skills of students in an at-risk early childhood program. The target population was nine students ages 3, 4, and 5 in an at-risk, inclusive classroom in a Chicago public school. The problem of language delay is indicated in…

This guide accompanies a series of recordings called "Rhythmically Moving." The series of nine recordings is a rare collection of international folk music designed to aid students as they learn to develop basic timing and musicianship. This guide helps the user of the series to receive maximum benefit from the first of the recordings (RM1). Using…

This teacher's guide was designed as part of a kit that includes a video tape and sound cassette recording, but may be adapted for independent use. The resource is based on the premise that teaching conflict resolution is becoming a necessity in an increasingly violent world, and that using music to teach peace education is successful with young…

This book is intended to help the elementary classroom teacher to develop an understanding of why music education is important, how music education works, and how music can be a powerful force for the teacher. Based on realistic expectations, the teacher does not need music theory or performance skill in order to understand the content of the…

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.…

Recent psychological research in motivation has resulted in several goal orientation theories that have important implications for improving learning and instruction, especially for musical performance groups. Goal theory proposes that there are two general goal orientations students can adopt: a task-focused orientation with an intrinsic focus on…