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First Steps in Music
The First Steps in Music series is an attempt to preserve the rich repertoire of traditional and folk literature, and to enable today's families to recall and learn songs and rhymes that have nurtured wonder and joy in young people for generations. The authentic affection, innocence, and wonder of these songs and rhymes have the potential to plant the seeds of lifelong sensitivity and imagination.
The songs and rhymes contained in our classes have been gathered over the past twenty years. Many of the most interesting examples were collected from the elderly, who often recalled songs and/or rhymes with great affection, reminding them of loving moments the had shared with young people in the past.
The First Steps in Music curriculum is based on an extensive survey of research related to the development of singing and movement skills in young children, as well as many years of practical experience sharing musical activities with this younger age. It is this combination of a research-based curriculum, quality literature, and practical experience that makes the First Steps in Music curriculum unique.
Series Collections
Displaying 1-14 of 14 items.
Review: What better way to discover the world than to sing songs that have captivated the imaginations of children across the continents. In this amazing collection of songs children love to sing, Karen Howard truly opens the door to encountering songs from diverse cultures and experiences, on themes from family, animals, flowers, food, and more. The repertoire inÊFirst Steps in Global MusicÊis particularly accessible for teachers and children wishing to discover these great songs. Organized by geographical region, Howard provides the context and guidance-including references to recordings-for these songs to come alive. She further organizes the songs based on First Steps activity categories: Fragment Singing, Simple Songs, Movement for Form and Expression, Movement with the Beat, and Songtales.
Voicing: Children
Review: This DVD offers a wonderful example of the application of the First Steps in Music for Infants and Toddlers curriculum and activities in two parent/child music classes-one for infants and younger toddlers, and one for older toddlers. Master teacher and FAME-Endorsed Teacher Trainer Connie Greenwood demonstrates all eight parts of the First Steps in Music curriculum, implementing a wide variety of activities and teaching techniques. This DVD also provides an insightful bonus voice-over track where Connie along with John Feierabend guide you through the lessons, offering insights into the who, what, when, where, and why of the class and what the children are learning. If you are hoping to work with this age group or you already do, this resource is a must!
Voicing: Preschool
Review: Written by a national leader in early childhood music education, this creatively illustrated book contains everything you need to lead a music class for preschool and early elementary students.
Songlist: Getting Started, The Musical Workout, Pitch Exploration (Vocal Warm-ups), Song Fragments, Simple Songs, Arioso, SongTales, Movement Exploration (Movement Warm-ups), Movement for Form and Expression, 'Beat Motion Activities, Planning Lessons, Sample Lessons, Final Thoughs, Index of Song/Rhyme Titles, About the Author
Voicing: Preschool
Review: First Steps in Music Parent Handbook provides teachers of parent-child classes a concise and detailed resource that establishes the goals and objective for the infant and toddler or preschool classes. The primary goal of the First Steps in Music classes is for each child to reach his or her musical potential. Parent participation is the key ingredient to the success of the program. By establishing a clearly defined set of expectations for teachers, parents, and children, the parents will be able to replicate their child's classroom musical experiences at home.
In Chapter 2 of the First Steps in Music Parent Handbook, the teacher and parents will find information about registration, class schedules, tuition, fees, cancellation policies, make up policies, and more. Chapter 3 gives detailed expectations for teachers, parents, and children. Chapter 4 outlines the class structure and curriculum components for each type of class. The classes are divided into four age-related sections: (1) Infants: birth to 12 months; (2) Toddler: 13 to 29 months; (3) Nursery: 30 to 42 months; (4) Preschool: 3.5 to 5 years. Chapter 5 discusses the Lending Library. Chapter 6 addresses the techniques used during class. Chapter 7 is a commitment form for the parents that says they agree to the guidelines suggested in the handbook.
This much-needed book is a must for any teacher wanting to set up parent-child infant and toddler or preschool classes where the ultimate goal is to help children become musically independent and develop a lifelong love and appreciation of music as they become tuneful, beatful, and artful!
Connie Greenwood is the lead teacher and director of the First Steps in Music program at the University of Hartford's Hartt Community Division in West Hartford, CT.
Voicing: Preschool
Review: John M. Feierabend with Lillie Feierabend. Lessons taught to first grade children, demonstrating the 8-part First Steps in Music series. Here is a great way to see how the First Steps in Music curriculum and activities are implemented in two general music classes with 6 year olds.
On this DVD, you will observe master teacher Lillie Feierabend working with a group of children as she demonstrates all eight parts of the First Steps in Music curriculum. She also demonstrates a wide variety of activities and teaching techniques.
Also on this DVD is a bonus voice-over track where John and Lillie Feierabend guide you through the lessons, offering their insights into the who, what, when, where, and why of what you are seeing. As a final piece, this terrific DVD includes an interview with Dr. Feierabend discussing the philosophy and pedagogy of the First Steps in Music method.
Lillie Feierabend is known for her work with young children and instilling a love of music within them. She has been a general music teacher in Connecticut for the past twenty years and a director for the Connecticut Children's Chorus for the past twelve years. She is a frequent clinician at local, state, and national conferences, speaking on many aspects of early childhood music.
Voicing: Preschool
Review: Bounces have inspired laughter and learning in infants and toddlers for generations, strengthening the bonds between children and the loved ones in their lives. This special book, for the first time, collects the most cherished of these songs and rhymes (some in danger of being lost or forgotten), enabling your family to carry on the tradition of nurturing imagination and joy through bounces.
Voicing: Preschool
Review: Lullabies have brought joy and comfort to infants and toddlers for generations, strengthening the bonds between children and the loved ones in their lives. This special book, for the first time, collects the most cherished of these songs (some in danger of being lost or forgotten), enabling your family to carry on the tradition of nurturing imagination and joy through lullabies.
For generations, the songs and rhymes of American folk culture have delighted children, creating a "hushed wonder" at playtime. No fireworks, no crazy musical arrangements, just adult and child connecting with rhymes and music. These treasures once were passed from parent or grandparent to child, yet in recent years, with changes in technology and family structure, they have been in danger of being lost and forgotten.
Voicing: Preschool
Review: Children often spontaneously dance around the living room or run from place to place. The activities in The Book of Movement Exploration bring out these strong movement impulses in children, as well as gentler ones. While burning off a little energy, children will develop a movement vocabulary as they develop motor skills and enhance their creativity. Performed quickly or slowly, with music or without, solo or in a group, these activities make for fun, engaging educational experiences for children (and adults)!
Voicing: Children
Review: Here is a great collection of songs and rhymes that invite beat motions from students in the mid to late elementary grades. For generations, neighborhood kids would gather to skip rope, bounce balls, play hand clapping games or choose one another to be the first "it" in a game with a counting-out rhyme. The songs and rhymes in this book and the community made by playing these games are a great foundation for music learning. By sharing these songs and rhymes with students during music class, today's students will discover the joy of music and, hopefully, share the songs, rhymes and games in this collection with their friends and family. John M. Feierabend has organized these songs and rhymes into five distinct categories. Hand Clapping, Jump Rope, Ball Bouncing, Counting Out and Passing and Stick Games. Each section has numerous songs and rhymes to keep children interested and engaged for years and will be a wonderful resource for music teachers. Jo
Voicing: Preschool
Review: Simple songs and circle games have inspired wonder and laughter in infants and toddlers for generations, strengthening the bonds between children and the loved ones in their lives. This special book, for the first time, collects the most cherished of these songs and rhymes (some in danger of being lost or forgotten), enabling your family to carry on the tradition of nurturing imagination and joy through simple songs and circles.
Voicing: Preschool
Review: Dances accompanied by singing have been enjoyed by people of all ages for hundreds of years. These dances have served an important social function as people share the joy of synchronizing with others through their body, spirit, and voice. John M. Feierabend collects into one place an addictive collection of Song Dances that have their roots in our American heritage, as well as a few from other countries. Each dance is organized by type (single circle, double circle, square dances, etc.) and includes complete dancing directions. This beautifully illustrated collection is for anyone looking to reclaim this great folk dance tradition, use great songs to teach musical concepts-or simply have a great time. Enjoy! John M. Feierabend is one of the leading authorities on music and movement development in early childhood. Dr. Feierabend is committed to collecting, preserving and teaching the diverse folk music of our country and using that folk music as a bridge to help children understand and enjoy classical music. He is a Professor of Music at The Hartt School of the University of Hartford.
Voicing: Preschool
Review: Games and rhymes involving tapping and clapping have inspired laughter and joy in infants and toddlers for generations, strengthening the bonds between children and the loved ones in their lives. This special book, for the first time, collects the most cherished of these songs and rhymes (some in danger of being lost or forgotten), enabling your family to carry on the tradition of nurturing imagination and joy through tapping and clapping.
Voicing: Preschool
Review: Winner of the Parent's Guide to Children's Media Award! Wiggles and tickles have inspired wonder and laughter in infants and toddlers for generations, strengthening the bonds between children and the loved ones in their lives. This special book, for the first time, collects the most cherished of these songs and rhymes (some in danger of being lost or forgotten), enabling your family to carry on the tradition of nurturing imagination and joy through wiggles and tickles.
Voicing: Preschool
Review: The First Steps in Music curriculum becomes real in this DVD featuring FAME-certified master teachers Lindsay Jackson teaching a kindergarten class and Andrew Himelick teaching a first grade class. Shot in real-time in their own classrooms, both Jackson and Himelick sequence a wide variety of activities, teaching techniques, and strategies from John M. Feierabend's curriculum. As with the other DVDs in the "In Action" series, each class includes an optional commentary track where Dr. Feierabend and the teachers describe in detail the decisions and approaches they take with their students.
This DVD is a wonderful introduction to the First Steps in Music curriculum, demonstrates how a male teacher can model singing with young students, and includes at its heart the goal of helping every student become tuneful, beatful, and artful.
Lindsay Jackson has been an elementary music teacher and choral conductor for 13 years and currently teaches in Bryn Mawr, PA. She sings soprano and enjoys accompanying her students on guitar, dulcimer, autoharp, and ukulele.
Andrew Himelick has been an elementary music teacher for more than 25 years with Carmel Clay Schools in Carmel, IN. He has also been a director with the Indianapolis Children's Choir for 20 years. He sings baritone and enjoys playing the piano, guitar, banjo, autoharp, and recorder.
Voicing: Preschool
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