Comments on: Curriculum Review http://msgallant.edublogs.org/2009/02/13/curriculum-review/ Another excellent Edublogs.org weblog Tue, 22 Sep 2009 13:11:56 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.2 hourly 1 By: Rob http://msgallant.edublogs.org/2009/02/13/curriculum-review/comment-page-1/#comment-52 Rob Sat, 14 Feb 2009 22:43:00 +0000 http://msgallant.edublogs.org/?p=44#comment-52 "Learning Sequences in Music" by Edwin Gordon is a must-read. It's definitely on the academic side, though, so you may want to follow it up with "The Ways Children Learn Music" by Eric Bluestine. Then go back and read Gordon again...it will make a lot more sense. Gordon's book on Rhythm is also a bit "out there", but really makes one question why we learned and continue to teach rhythmic concepts the way that we have. I can't find that book on Amazon now though... :( You mentioned Orff, which is great...you may also want to read something on the Kodaly approach. Look for anything written by Lois Chosky. Bennett Reimer is who you want to read when it comes to Philosophy of Music Education. You may be tempted to read David Elliott, who at one time was Reimer's student. All I have to say on that is this: if you do decide to read Elliott, be sure to read Reimer first...especially Reimer's 2nd edition of "Philosophy of Music Education" (but be sure to read the 3rd edition too...it's quite different). Assessment must be an integral, not separate, component of curriculum and instruction. Be sure to read "Assessing the Developing Child Musician" by Timothy Brophy. For an example of a practical curriculum based in Gordon's Music Learning Theory, you may want to take a peek at John Feierabend's "Conversational Solfege". Better yet, go see Dr. Feierabend at a conference near you. Finally, for some literal soul-searching and reflective practice, read James Jordan's trilogy: "The Musician's Soul", "The Musician's Spirit", and "The Musician's Walk". That should keep you busy for a little while! “Learning Sequences in Music” by Edwin Gordon is a must-read. It’s definitely on the academic side, though, so you may want to follow it up with “The Ways Children Learn Music” by Eric Bluestine. Then go back and read Gordon again…it will make a lot more sense. Gordon’s book on Rhythm is also a bit “out there”, but really makes one question why we learned and continue to teach rhythmic concepts the way that we have. I can’t find that book on Amazon now though… :(

You mentioned Orff, which is great…you may also want to read something on the Kodaly approach. Look for anything written by Lois Chosky.

Bennett Reimer is who you want to read when it comes to Philosophy of Music Education. You may be tempted to read David Elliott, who at one time was Reimer’s student. All I have to say on that is this: if you do decide to read Elliott, be sure to read Reimer first…especially Reimer’s 2nd edition of “Philosophy of Music Education” (but be sure to read the 3rd edition too…it’s quite different).

Assessment must be an integral, not separate, component of curriculum and instruction. Be sure to read “Assessing the Developing Child Musician” by Timothy Brophy.

For an example of a practical curriculum based in Gordon’s Music Learning Theory, you may want to take a peek at John Feierabend’s “Conversational Solfege”. Better yet, go see Dr. Feierabend at a conference near you.

Finally, for some literal soul-searching and reflective practice, read James Jordan’s trilogy: “The Musician’s Soul”, “The Musician’s Spirit”, and “The Musician’s Walk”.

That should keep you busy for a little while!

]]>