Submitted by Holly Whitman, Tombstone, Arizona

Idea posted August 18, 2004

When I first arrived in my school district last year, I noted that few children seemed to know very much about music. I decided that since I would only see my classes for 45 minutes once a week, I should start with the youngest and begin teaching the staff and notes. I quickly learned that even kindergartners can learn the staff's lines and spaces if I did this creatively, through story telling. I also decided to teach solfège to all classes.

My typical class routine is the following:

  1. Greet the class, noting quickly who is absent (official roll is taken by their regular classroom teacher, so this is for my benefit only).
  2. Teach a new note through a story.
  3. Have them recite, as a class, the names of notes learned thus far. I also teach them about the treble clef, rests, musical markings, and note values, which they are able to name.
  4. Recite (as a group) the names of the lines and spaces.
  5. Spot-check learning by quizzing individuals.
  6. Review solfège with Kodály hand signals, both up and down the scale.
  7. Reinforce solfège learning with the song "Whacky Do Re Mi" from Music K-8, Vol. 11, No. 1.
  8. Answer any questions about what we are doing.
  9. Sing, listen to the Music of the Masters (music appreciation), play a music game, or play instruments.
  10. Inform the children we are nearing the end of class, have them quiet down if involved in a noisy activity, and then dismiss the class.

I have found that by following this routine consistently, the children begin to anticipate what is coming and look forward to participating in the activities since they feel able to succeed. The old learning is reviewed, there is always at least one new thing learned (if not several learned), and the children begin to be competitive in wanting to show that they know the answers to the questions I am asking. This routine also incorporates variety in the class, which holds their interest and reduces disruption.

I also find that using the Music K-8 soundtracks greatly enhances the experience of singing for the children and frees me to actively participate in the music with them. I had children shouting out the names of their favorite songs, in hopes of hearing them the first day back!