Submitted by Julia Tibbett, Freehold, New Jersey
Idea posted October 26, 2004
I teach music to children from kindergarten through fifth grade. At the beginning of each class we listen to a brief excerpt of music, identify the composer, and learn a bit about that composer. Once the children are comfortable with a composer, I add additional composers, one at a time. By the end of the year the kids can hear and identify ten or more composers by their music. This year I have added a chart with a big ear on it that lists where (other than music class) they've heard the composers. We can add to these lists throughout the year. So far we've done two composers this year and the list includes: cell phone rings, commercials, cartoons, The Brady Bunch, the ice cream truck song, Six Flag's Great Adventure, and more. It's nice to know that they're keeping their ears open outside of class. When they hear this music, their job is to teach someone they're with about the composer. Parents come up to me to say how pleased and surprised they are that their children are teaching them about music. It's music to my ears!