The program source is Music Express magazine, which comes with worksheets, CDs, and interactive online web programs. Students get a chance to explore the world of music and get a chance to perform the lessons – which includes singing and playing instruments along with an added measure of history and geography.
Elementary music teacher Stephanie Harrington explains that teachers get a new edition of Music Express every two months. The lesson comes with 30 student magazines, a teacher's magazine and a CD with all the songs, artist interviews and articles on it.
Harrington says this year’s theme for the magazine is Rock and Roll with a little country thrown in.
“The really neat thing about the magazine is that there is an online website with extra resources such a choreography to some of the songs (it is actually taught and performed by the magazine’s creator, John Jacobson)” Harrington said.
There are mini lessons to go along with the world music section of the magazine. “This section contains information such as the geography of the country, customs, dress, music and dance,” she added. “I am currently presenting the song from Liberia, and at the end of the mini lesson there is a lesson on how to play djembe drum.”
The music department owns several djembe drums, and 4th grade students at Seaton Elementary recently got a chance to play the djembe with instructions provided via the online video.
The Music Express program is being used throughout the District in 1st through 6th grade music classes. Different aspects of the magazine are geared toward different age levels. The teacher's magazine includes keyboard accompaniments, choreography notes, instrumental parts, activities, columns and articles and full-length lesson plans.
The accompanying CD provides vocal and instrumental versions of each featured song, plus listening selections
“The program is great,” said Harrington, and it appeals to a wide range of music knowledge – everything from classical composers to the Black Eyed Peas.
For a look at pictures of Music Express in the classroom at Seaton, go to:
http://picasaweb.google.com/LapeerCS/MusicExpressAtMusicProgramAtSeaton#
