Manipulatives for the Music Classroom Monday, February 24, 2020
recommended by Jen Sper and Lora Moore, School Choral and Classroom Music Specialists
Looking for innovative ways to teach and reinforce musical concepts to your K-3 general music classes? Check out these new resources which introduce musical concepts in hands-on learning experiences sequenced to motivate your students.
Music Class Puppets by Greg Foreman & Valeaira Luppens
Step one: introduce today’s musical objectives or selection. Step two: construct simple puppets using the clear-cut instructions and handy templates. Step three: dive into the lessons with your adorable student-made characters. How fun! This kid-friendly, teacher-approved kit nurtures learning in one of the most effective ways—through play. Concepts, materials, step-by-step lesson procedures, extension activities, crafting directions, and reproducible patterns are included. The kids will beg for more! Recommended for grades K-5.
Music Manipulatives Workbook by Danielle Bayert
Thirty everyday items, such as balloons, pinwheels, and plastic eggs, are transformed into tactile learning tools in this highly creative, hands-on, general music resource. Following an informative opening about the history, research, and value of educational manipulatives, each section provides several physical activities (with extensions and modifications) that are clearly tied to musical concepts of all kinds. Teach rhythm, melody, harmony, form, notation, composition, singing, playing—the possibilities are actually endless, as the approachable author shares her philosophy and practical tips (from her own classroom) on designing new activities, and provides teacher workspace for educators to develop their own unique lessons. Recommended for grades Pre-K-6.
Browse our website for more valuable classroom resources, and shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!
About the Authors:
Jen Sper has been with Stanton’s since 2006. A former middle school and high school choral director, she holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Baldwin Wallace College Conservatory of Music. An active choral singer and accompanist throughout the Central Ohio area, she also enjoys good food, running (to counteract the good food…) and the Muppets.
Lora Moore joined the Stanton’s choral staff in July 2018. A former middle school and high school director of 32 years, she holds a Bachelor of Arts in Choral Music from Capital University and a Master’s of Arts in Choral Music from The Ohio State University. Currently she is a church choir director, operates a private voice/piano studio and is active as a clinician and accompanist. During the off hours, Lora enjoys scouting out new day trips in Ohio to balance what her budget allows for her frequent trips to New York City to visit family and take in a Broadway show or two!