Any early childhood teachers out there? Could use some advice.
Friday, 27 August 2010 06:24:16

I'm designing a music appreciation program for the local cultural center (one of 3 small teaching jobs I'm taking in the absence of full time employment). I'm a music education major fresh out of college certified to teach k-12 general music, band, choir, blah blah blah but out of that 136 credit hour major, exactly 3 credit hours were spent on general music and teaching k-5th graders (which is who the class is for at the center). There is already a percussion class and a choir class, so the director told me to design something that doesn't "overlap those too much." She would prefer I do something along the lines of exposing them to classical music and world music cultural (which was not strongly covered in my training but I love that kind of stuff!) Anyway, my question is, how can I get the little ones ('specially k-2nd grade class) to learn the more abstract and academic aspects of music, without a the focus on playing or singing it. My primary focus was band, so I'm really good at teaching them to read music while learning to play it, but that approach isn't so available. My philosophy is kids learn best by doing, but that option is not so much available to me. Also, this is an after school kinda deal, not required so it needs to be fun. I have some lessons I think could work, but I would love to hear how other teachers work with this age group. Any suggestions from, well, anyone really?