Kodály Today: A Cognitive Approach to Elementary Music Education (Kodaly Today Handbook Series)

In this new edition of their groundbreaking Kodály Today , Mícheál Houlahan and Philip Tacka offer an expertly-researched, thorough, and -- most importantly -- practical approach to transforming curriculum goals into tangible, achievable musical objectives and effective lesson plans. Their model -- grounded in the latest research in music perception and cognition -- outlines the concrete practices behind constructing effective teaching portfolios, selecting engaging music repertoire for the classroom, and teaching musicianship skills successfully to elementary students of all degrees of proficiency. Addressing the most important questions in creating and teaching Kodály-based programs, Houlahan and Tacka write through a practical lens, presenting a clear picture of how the teaching and learning processes go hand-in-hand. Their innovative approach was designed through a close, six-year collaboration between music instructors and researchers, and offers teachers an easily-followed, step-by-step roadmap for developing students' musical understanding and metacognition skills. A comprehensive resource in the realm of elementary music education, this book is a valuable reference for all in-service music educators, music supervisors, and students and instructors in music education. Cover 1 Series 3 Kodály Today 4 Copyright 5 Dedication 6 Contents 8 Acknowledgments 14 About the Companion Website 16 Introduction 20 1 Building the Framework of a Music Curriculum Based on the Kodály Concept 33 Zoltán Kodály: A Biographical Outline 34 A Brief Examination of Zoltán Kodály’s Philosophy of Music Education 37 The Kodály Method or Concept of Music Education 46 Building the Framework of a Curriculum Based on the Multiple Dimensions of Music 47 Music Philosophy Prompt Questions 54 Linking a Music Curriculum Based on the Kodály Concept to the National Content Standards for Music Education 56 The Kodály Concept and the Common Core Standards 58 Lesson Planning 59 Key Components of Lesson Plan Designs 61 Discussion Questions 66 Ongoing Assignment 67 Connections to Grade Handbooks 67 Bibliography 67 2 Developing a Music Repertoire of Songs for the Elementary Music Classroom 72 Folk Music in the Classroom 73 Selecting Music for Classroom Use 76 Creating an Alphabetized Song Repertoire List for Each Grade 78 Analyzing Song Repertoire 78 Performance and Notation of Folk Songs 92 Lesson Planning 92 Connections to Grade Handbooks 106 Discussion Questions 106 Ongoing Assignment 106 Bibliography 106 3 Developing Creative Expression in the Elementary Classroom Through Singing, Movement, and Playing Instruments 118 Singing 119 Singing in Tune with Relative Solmization 129 Teaching Songs 131 Introducing Songs Within a Lesson 137 Singing Games and Movement Activities 139 Developing Creative Movement and Improvisations in the Classroom 150 Body Warm-ups and Creative Movement 151 Instruments 153 Lesson Planning 157 Connections to Grade Handbooks 164 Discussion Questions 164 Ongoing Assignment 165 Bibliography 165 4 Teaching Tools and Techniques for Developing Audiation and Music Literacy Skills 0 Teaching Tools for Developing Music Literacy Skills 173 A Rhythmic and Melodic Sequence for Developing Music Literacy Skills 181 The Relationship Between Musical Concepts and Elements 183 Preparation, Presentation, and Practice of Musical Elements for Grades 1 Through 5 189 The Connection Between Teaching Basic Rhythmic and Melodic Patterns and Common Stylistic Characteristics of Folk Songs 194 Lesson Planning 195 Connections to Grade Handbooks 203 Discussion Questions 204 Ongoing Assignment 204 Bibliography 204 5 From Sound to Symbol: A Model of Learning and Instruction for Teaching Music Concepts, Elements, and Skills 210 A New Learning Theory Model 212 A Comparison of the Houlahan and Tacka Model of Learning with Current Teaching Approaches Adopted by Kodály Instructors 223 Summary 227 Connections to Grade Handbooks 227 Discussion Questions 227 Ongoing Assignment 228 Bibliography 228 6 Grades 1 Through 5 Teaching Strategies for Rhythmic and Melodic Concepts and Elements 235 Strategies for Teaching Music Elements 236 Grade 1 Teaching Strategies 237 Grade 1, Teaching Strategy 1, for Quarter and Eighth Notes 237 Grade 1, Teaching Strategy 2, for a Two-Note Child’s Chant 242 Focus Songs for Grade 1 249 Grade 2 Teaching Strategies 250 Grade 2, Teaching Strategy 1, for Introducing the Tonic 250 Grade 2, Teaching Strategy 2, for Half Note 258 Focus Songs for Grade 2 265 Grade 3 Teaching Strategies 267 Grade 3, Teaching Strategy 1, for an Eighth Note Followed by Two Sixteenth Notes 268 Grade 3, Teaching Strategy 2, for low la 275 Focus Songs for Grade 3 284 Grade 4 Teaching Strategies 286 Grade 1, Teaching Strategy 1, for Syncopation 286 Grade 4, Teaching Strategy 2, for la Pentatonic Scale 292 Focus Songs for Grade 4 302 Grade 5 Teaching Strategies 305 Grade 5, Teaching Strategy 1, for Major Scale 0 Grade 5, Teaching Strategy 2, for an Eighth Note Followed by a Dotted Quarter Note 313 Focus Songs for Grade 5 323 Developing a Lesson Plan Design Based on the Teaching Strategies 325 Connections to Grade Handbooks 343 Discussion Questions 0 Ongoing Assignment 344 Bibliography 344 7 Developing Musicianship Skills in the Classroom 348 Musical Skills Practiced in the Classroom 348 Musical Skills: Sample Curriculum 351 Expanding Your Students’ Musical Skills 356 Practicing Form, Improvisation, and Composition 377 Integrating Listening into a Music Lesson 394 Developing the Three Primary Musical Skill Areas 414 Developing Music Skills in a Music Lesson Plan 415 Creating Lesson Plans That Develop Students’ Musical Skills 416 Connections to Grade Handbooks 420 Bibliography 420 8 Technology in the Kodály Classroom 424 How to Choose and Assess Music Technology for the Kodály Classroom 425 Technology Resources for the Kodály Classroom 427 Technology Resources for the Kodály Student 431 Kodály-Based Lessons for the Interactive White Board 433 Sample Kodály Lesson Plan Incorporating Technology 450 Discussion Questions 0 Ongoing Assignment 457 Bibliography 457 9 Applying the Kodály Concept to the Elementary Choir 459 Auditioning Students for an Elementary Choir 460 Choral Rehearsal Activities 463 Repertoire for Developing Part Work and Music Literacy 478 How to Teach Simple Two-Part Song Arrangements 485 Selecting Repertoire for Children’s Choir 495 Score Preparation and Teaching a Choral Composition 497 Discussion Questions 0 Ongoing Assignment 501 Bibliography 501 10 Sequencing and Lesson Planning 504 Lesson Plans and Learning Outcomes 508 Transitions in Lesson Plans 539 General Considerations for Planning Lessons 548 Adapting Lesson Plans for the Inclusive Classroom 551 Connections to Grade Handbooks 557 Discussion Questions 557 Ongoing Assignment 557 Bibliography 558 11 Teaching Musicianship Skills Starting in the Upper Grades 559 Curriculum Summary 560 Curriculum Guide 561 Getting Started 565 Selecting Song Repertoire for Older Beginners 566 Considerations, Techniques, and Procedures for Developing Older Students’ Singing Skills 568 Teaching Songs 581 Lesson Design 583 Developing Music Skills 587 A Few Final Considerations for Teaching Older Beginners 591 Discussion Questions 0 Ongoing Assignment 593 Bibliography 593 12 Evaluation and Assessment 595 Assessing the Effectiveness of Music Teaching 596 Developing a Class Profile Summarizing the Child’s Achievement 605 Assessment and Evaluation of Students: Student Profiles 607 Connections to Grade Handbooks 616 Discussion Questions 616 Ongoing Activities 616 Bibliography 617 13 Organizing Your Teaching Resources for the Elementary Classroom 619 What Are the Components of a Teaching Resource Folder? 620 Discussion Questions 0 Ongoing Assignment 623 Bibliography 624 Notes 626 Song Index 634 Subject Index 644 Kodály Today provides teachers with a step-by-step road map for developing children's performance, creative movement, and literacy skills in an organic and thoughtful manner. Through six years of field-testing with music teachers in the United States, Great Britain, and Hungary (the home country of Zoltán Kodály), authors Micheál Houlahan and Philip Tacka have developed a methodology specifically for 21st century classrooms. Houlahan and Tacka use the latest research findings in cognition and perception to create a system not only appropriate for children's developmental stages but also one which integrates vertically between elementary music classes. The methods outlined in this volume encourage greater musical ability and creativity in children by teaching students to sing, move, play instruments, and develop music literacy skills. In addition, Kodály Today promotes critical thinking, problem solving, and collaboration skills. Although the book uses the Kodály philosophy, its methodology has also been tested by teachers certified in Orff and Dalcroze, and has proven an essential guide for teachers no matter what their personal philosophy and specific training might be. The new edition of Kodály Today provides a fully revised and updated core text, as well entirely new chapters on the application of the Kodály method to the elementary choir and the use of technology in the Kodály classroom. In addition, the revisions integrate it fully with the Kodály Today and the graded Kodály Today K-5 Handbooks Series feature methodology and sequential lesson plans specifically developed for the 21st century. They are sure to be an essential guide for music teachers everywhere. -- from back cover