The MENC Task Force for National Standards in the Arts states that "the curriculum should utilize current technology to individualize and expand music learning". Through the use of computers, electronic keyboards, synthesizers, samplers, CDs, CD-ROMs, and various MIDI devices, every student can be actively involved in creating, performing, listening to, and analyzing music. The technological limitations of the past have largely been erased. Advances in computer communications make possible the sharing of learning beyond school boundaries. Music is a basic human behavior. In this context then, it is important to consider the role of technology as a tool toward an end, one of allowing students to know and experience music is significant and meaningful ways.
My proposal for the major project for C&I 335 is to attempt to make a singing-reading connection with my students. My school district, Springfield Public School District 186, has adopted a new reading series and is in the process of aligning the curriculum with the Illinois State Board of Education's standards and benchmarks. The primary students that I instruct in my music classes are part of this process. I feel that incorporating reading into my music lesson plans could enhance this learning.
At this point in the proposal, I plan on acquiring copies of the books used in the Houghton Mifflin reading series that our district has adopted and see what material could involve singing, such as "Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed". I also plan on using songs that are currently part of the curriculum and software that the district has, and creating various multimedia presentation. Examples might include scanning pictures that the students drew to illustrate the song, "I am a Pizza" and using them to create a book on the computer. I would like to investigate the possibilities of having the children sing the song and importing that into the song. Software might include such packages as "Dr. T's Sing-a-long", an adventurous program that allows students to sing along with children's classic tunes, while hearing the performance vocally, instrumentally, or with computer-generated music. "Children's Songbook" includes favorites from around the world. Vocalists from ten countries sing music recorded expressly for the CD-ROM in their native languages; an instrumental version of each songs is included so that the children can sing along; and games teach the children to recognize music and lyrics. Another CD-ROM that could be useful in this process is "Sing an American Story", a program in which great American music is portrayed through a variety of illustrated adventures. Children can sing along and explore the music, language, and historical background of each song. "Making Music" is a CD-ROM in which the students can "finger paint" to create their own music. The components of music are presented visually and aurally so children can listen and watch at the same time. Programs such as "Peter and the Wolf" could allow the students to read along with the book on the CD-ROM as well as hear the music. This type of software could be used for enrichment purposes with advanced readers.
As part of this project, it is my intention to engage the students in the following:
1. Singing, alone and with others a varied repertoire of music.
2. Performing on instruments, alone and with others, a varied repertoire.
3. Composing melodies within specified guidelines.
4. Reading and notating music.
5. Listening to, analyzing, and describing music.
6. Evaluating music and music performance.
7. Understanding relationships between music, the other arts, and disciplines outside the arts.
8. Understanding music in relation to history and culture.
The success of this project will be measured through various activities. Some of them could the progress of the students in written assignments, performances, and technology-based activities. This project will need to provide meaningful and timely feedback to me and my students. It will be necessary for me to create a variety of rubrics to evaluate the successes of this project.
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Submitted: June 7, 1998 Updated: June 19, 1998