PUBLICATIONS
BOOKS
Sweet Pipes, Inc. proudly presents this new collection of active listening lessons for both novice and experienced general music specialists.
Purposeful movement first focuses attention to the nuances in the music and then enhances the listening experience by fulfilling the natural desire to move expressively. These lessons, which feature classical favorites, provide opportunities for multi-modal, multi-sensory experiences including singing, dancing, dramatizing, reading notation, and playing both percussion instruments and soprano recorder. Further, the lessons blend the most effective approaches for teaching music in the twenty-first century to develop the learning skills of communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity.
Though grade levels are suggested by the author, all plans can be adjusted for multiple age levels to enjoy. Each of the lessons is written in an easy-to-navigate format and accompanied with a PowerPoint presentation. The slides progress through the lesson steps as they are introduced in the lesson plans. These engaging lessons can be expanded into performance pieces!
Purposeful movement first focuses attention to the nuances in the music and then enhances the listening experience by fulfilling the natural desire to move expressively. These lessons, which feature classical favorites, provide opportunities for multi-modal, multi-sensory experiences including singing, dancing, dramatizing, reading notation, and playing both percussion instruments and soprano recorder. Further, the lessons blend the most effective approaches for teaching music in the twenty-first century to develop the learning skills of communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity.
Though grade levels are suggested by the author, all plans can be adjusted for multiple age levels to enjoy. Each of the lessons is written in an easy-to-navigate format and accompanied with a PowerPoint presentation. The slides progress through the lesson steps as they are introduced in the lesson plans. These engaging lessons can be expanded into performance pieces!
Journey Around the Globe with Recorder! is a series of 24 pedagogy lessons for teaching soprano recorder. Notes are introduced individually, in sequence, and in a musical context. Each of the 24 lessons is accompanied with a PowerPoint presentation. The slides progress through the lesson steps as they are introduced in the lesson plans. Additionally, several slides are included for each lesson of pictures from the country featured in the lesson plan … pictures of scenery, famous places and people, foods, musicians, sports, and more. TO ORDER, CLICK ON THE PICTURE ON THE LEFT.
Flight 2: Another Journey Around the Globe with Recorder! is a series of 20 pedagogy lessons for teaching soprano recorder. As with the first volume, notes are introduced individually, in sequence, and in a musical context. The songs in this book come from a variety of cultures. Each of the lessons in this book can be used individually for that purpose. Additionally, the PowerPoint slides provide a brief glimpse into the cultural backgrounds from which the songs come as well as provide the visuals needed to teach the lesson in a classroom setting. TO ORDER, CLICK ON THE PICTURE ON THE LEFT.
This exciting collection, All Things Bright and Beautiful, contains nine foundational Bible verses set to music with Orff and other percussion instruments. Songs span the choir season (September through May), and each monthly song unit includes full teaching plans. PowerPoints are available for each lesson by clicking the picture to the left. A wonderful, practical resource for incorporating Orff into your choir rehearsals throughout the year! TO ORDER, CLICK ON THE PICTURE ON THE LEFT.
ARTICLES and BOOK CONTRIBUTIONS
Alfred Music proudly teams up with the National Association for Music Education on this impressive manual of model lessons by master music teachers from around the country. Each of the 28 creative plans is aligned to the national standards and designed for success. Includes step-by-step procedures, reproducible templates, related manipulatives, assessment tools, an array of traditional songs, and more! Royalties donated to NAfME. Recommended for grades kindergarten through seven. See page 110 for a listening strategy for "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" (Bach) by Darla Meek. TO ORDER, CLICK ON THE PICTURE ON THE LEFT.
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"Building Cultural Intelligence in Students" (p. 8)
Cultural intelligence is defined as “an individual's ability to function effectively in situations characterized by cultural diversity.” Music specialists are uniquely positioned to increase students’ CQ levels. Darla Meek describes Culturally Responsive Teaching, provides tips for sharing multicultural music with students, and discusses issues regarding repertoire for the music classroom. |
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"Celebrate the Colors in Our World!" (p. 10)
Looking for captivating cross-curricular activities for your elementary students? This article series pairs high-quality children’s books with appropriate complementary music and meaningful activities which can be used effectively in the classroom. Through these kinds of experiences, children can come to appreciate the diversity that exists in our society. |
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"Spreading Hope Through Song – Ideas for the Classroom" (p. 27)
Mama Africa! is a biography about singer and civil rights leader Miriam Makeba. The book describes the injustices imposed upon the people of color in South Africa due to the laws of apartheid. Makeba used her singing to inform other nations about the happenings in her home country and allies around the world begin to join in her song. This article provides activities for singing, dancing, and instrument playing with Makeba's signature song, "Pata Pata." |
"It's Like Herding Cats! Classroom Management in the Children's Choir Setting" (p. 22)
HERDING CATS (idiom) To perform a task made difficult by uncooperative or unresponsive persons. Ever feel like that definition is part of your job description? Do you leave choir rehearsal stressed or refreshed? Guess what? You CAN herd cats! Use these techniques to create an orderly environment, allowing children to make music together and manage their own self-control.
HERDING CATS (idiom) To perform a task made difficult by uncooperative or unresponsive persons. Ever feel like that definition is part of your job description? Do you leave choir rehearsal stressed or refreshed? Guess what? You CAN herd cats! Use these techniques to create an orderly environment, allowing children to make music together and manage their own self-control.
"Orff Schulwerk in the Children's Choir Setting" (p. 11)
Over the past 50 years, the philosophy of Carl Orff has swept the country and is gradually, happily, infiltrating the church setting. The Orff approach is so effective because it celebrates the ability and creativity of each individual child. All children contribute, whatever their level of ability. Darla Meek offers a thumbnail explanation of the nuts and bolts of the Orff process and how it might work in your children's choir setting.
Over the past 50 years, the philosophy of Carl Orff has swept the country and is gradually, happily, infiltrating the church setting. The Orff approach is so effective because it celebrates the ability and creativity of each individual child. All children contribute, whatever their level of ability. Darla Meek offers a thumbnail explanation of the nuts and bolts of the Orff process and how it might work in your children's choir setting.
"All Things Bright and Beautiful" (p. 22)
Darla Meek describes how to use her new resource All Things Bright and Beautiful, a collection of nine scripture songs which incorporate the use of instruments for elementary-aged children.
Darla Meek describes how to use her new resource All Things Bright and Beautiful, a collection of nine scripture songs which incorporate the use of instruments for elementary-aged children.
"Purposeful Movement in the Band Camp Setting"
In this article the author describes how these purposeful movement activities can improve overall musicianship, strengthen ensemble skills, and foster social development in a band camp setting, and contends the study opens the door for further research to explore how creative movement can be used as a teaching technique in a middle or high school band rehearsal.
This article first appeared in The Orff Echo, Volume 50, No. 4, Summer 2018. © 2018 American Orff-Schulwerk Association: Chagrin Falls, OH. Used by permission.
In this article the author describes how these purposeful movement activities can improve overall musicianship, strengthen ensemble skills, and foster social development in a band camp setting, and contends the study opens the door for further research to explore how creative movement can be used as a teaching technique in a middle or high school band rehearsal.
This article first appeared in The Orff Echo, Volume 50, No. 4, Summer 2018. © 2018 American Orff-Schulwerk Association: Chagrin Falls, OH. Used by permission.
"The Murray Volumes: Music (and Movement!) for Children"
Using a movement activity to prepare the students for playing a barred instrument piece will allow your students to internalize the rhythm, melodic contour, and structure of a piece in a fun and engaging way weeks, months, or even years before they play it on instruments.
Using a movement activity to prepare the students for playing a barred instrument piece will allow your students to internalize the rhythm, melodic contour, and structure of a piece in a fun and engaging way weeks, months, or even years before they play it on instruments.
"Using Movement to Introduce a Masterwork"
Movement may be the greatest tools at our disposal for teaching music concepts to students. Children can improve cognitive function, strengthen memory, increase attention, and enhance social skills through participating in engaging movement activities. In this article, the author shares ways to use movement to introduce a masterwork. A lesson plan analysis/planning template and an example lesson are included.
Movement may be the greatest tools at our disposal for teaching music concepts to students. Children can improve cognitive function, strengthen memory, increase attention, and enhance social skills through participating in engaging movement activities. In this article, the author shares ways to use movement to introduce a masterwork. A lesson plan analysis/planning template and an example lesson are included.