Below is a list of some of my favorite books and links for elementary and junior high general music classrooms. Please feel free to message me with additional materials that you find useful in your classroom.
K-2
- First Steps in Music- John Feierabend
- (Anything by John Feierabend)
- Movement Stories (Helen Landalf and Pamela Gerke)
- Meaningful Movement (Marla Butke and David Frego)
- Wee Sing
- Purposeful Pathways
- Parachutes and Ribbons and Scarves, Oh My (Artie Almeida)
- Brain Compatible Dance Education (Anne Green Gilbert)
- The Orff Source- Denise Gagne-
3rd Grade
musicadventures.wordpress.com/category/lesson-plans-ideas/3rd-5th-grade-lessons/
musicadventures.wordpress.com/category/lesson-plans-ideas/3rd-5th-grade-lessons/
- I find this teacher’s website very useful. You will need time to check it out!
- This is a great place to go for teaching beginning music concepts. Again, take some time and explore to see what best suits your classroom.
- This website is a great resource for choral songs/music to use for 3rd grade.
- Sightreading Factory
- sites.google.com/a/roundrockisd.org/live-oak-music-class-rocks/3rd-grade-page
4th Grade (recorders)
https://www.musicmotion.com/Recorder/jim-tinter-recorder-books-cds-set-5.asp
https://www.musicmotion.com/Recorder/jim-tinter-recorder-books-cds-set-5.asp
- Jim Tinter is a blast to watch teach. His music focuses on several ideas for music and improvisation.
- Sightreading Factory
- Fulfill your heart with whatever style of recorder music you would like to play. Even as an adult, I have a blast playing!
5th Grade (Choir or Band)
https://www.essentialelementsinteractive.com/
https://www.essentialelementsinteractive.com/
- You do need to purchase a book in order to use this website. However, it is great for students that have a limited amount of time in band class. Really, it is a great resource for band teachers!
- Sightreading Factory
- Anything for Music K-8 is great, but there is a yearly subscription fee.
- This link is for Indiana’s elementary and junior- high choral repertoire.
- Their page is the one of the best links for 5th grade choral students. If nothing else, use this to give yourself inspiration:)
6th Grade Percussion
http://vicfirth.com/
http://vicfirth.com/
- This website is great for percussionists. I encourage you to check out the web rhythms and follow along by lessons.
- Benjamin Pirello is great for General Music Warm-up activities in order to get students active, engaged, and keeping a steady beat. -He is a physical educator, but this is great for cross-curricular activities.
- Sightreading Factory
- BUCKET DRUMMING WEBSITE
7th and 8th Grade Piano Labs and General Music
https://www.youtube.com/user/PianoLessonsForKids
https://www.youtube.com/user/PianoLessonsForKids
- Hands down- I will swear by this program! It has been a long time since I have felt so passionate about a curriculum for piano.
- Music Theatre International’s Audition Central portion of their website is great for giving students an introduction to musical theatre. Students have fun acting out their favorite characters!
- Older Beginner Piano Course
- Sightreading Factory
Inspirational Reading for Music Educators
- Anything by James Jordan, but my personal favorite is "The Musician's Soul".
- Donald DeVito is the music educator at Sidney Lanier located in Florida. Above is a link to their school's website. He is also a facilitator for one of Boston's courses, and I can honestly say that having him as an instructor was one of the best things about my experience with BU.