MUS 225 - MUSIC FOR CHILDREN – 3 Hrs
Dr. Bonnie Blu Williams
Aven 210, Phone 925-3443
bwilliam@mc.edu
www.mc.edu/faculty/bwilliam
II. PREREQUISITE OR CO-REQUISITE: EDU 300
III. COURSE DESCRIPTION - This course is designed for the elementary classroom teacher
and deals with the methods and procedures of presenting music materials used in the first six
grades.
IV. COURSE RATIONALE - This course is a content course designed to stimulate thinking
concerning the teaching profession, and the role of the elementary teacher in aiding the child
toward self expression through music.
V. LEARNING OBJECTIVES - The teaching candidates will be able to
A. acquire basic knowledge and skill with the fundamentals of music: rhythm, melody,
tempo, dynamics, meter, form, melody, texture, & tone color;
B. build a foundation for his or her own continued development of the following skills:
singing, playing classroom instruments, critical listening, creative movement, and
music reading & writing;
C. recognize the value of music for all students as a part of their daily lives;
D. identify the musical characteristics of students at various developmental stages and
chronological ages;
E. develop an understanding of the child voice and how best to model and lead in correct
and age-appropriate classroom singing;
F. differentiate music, specifically songs and singing games/dances of various cultures,
genres, and styles appropriate for elementary school use;
G. prepare lessons incorporating music as the medium for
reinforcing/supplementing/evaluating classroom studies; and
H. gain a working knowledge of the current music series textbooks presently available in
the schools.
VI. TUITION REFUND – A tuition refund cannot be made on dropped classes after the first
week of classes.
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VII. ACADEMIC INTEGRITY - Mississippi College is based on Christian principles. It is
therefore assumed that all teacher candidates taking this course will conduct themselves with the
highest regard for personal ethics, integrity, and honesty. In this class, you are encouraged to
work together in the planning stages for most projects. However, the final written project must
be yours, and yours alone. Plagiarism is copying from other sources including internet,
fellow students, or former students.
VIII. COURSE CONTENT & TOPICS A. Teaching & Learning: Bloom’s Taxonomy; Student development - chronological,
social, & emotional in regard to teaching music; Aural, Visual, & Kinesthetic
modes of learning in music; Observations of music classes; Music lessons to
accommodate classroom learning; Value of music for the teacher candidate and
students; Stories and music; & Interrelated arts
B. Singing Voice: Singing skills for the teacher candidate; Characteristics of the child &
adult singing voice; Developing the child’s singing voice; Singing in-tune for
teacher candidates & students; Part singing for teacher candidates & students;
Song repertoire appropriate for elementary school music; & Methods of teaching a
song
C. Rhythm: Study, practice, & how to teach steady beat, note values, rests, meters, &
tempo.
D. Melody: Detailed study, practice, & how to teach drmsl, absolute names of lines &
spaces and key signatures.
E. Recorder: Individual & class playing; Individual proficiency and written test; &
Value in the elementary classroom
F. Classroom Instruments: Study & practice with percussion, melodic, and chord
instruments; & Appropriate accompaniments for children’s song literature
G. Movement: Class activities & experiences with movement to steady beat;
Multicultural singing games & dances; & Creative movement
H. Listening to music: Class experiences in listening focusing on major composers,
compositions, form, timbre, and expression; & Guidelines for how to teach
critical listening skills
I. Tone Color: Orchestra and multicultural instruments; & Voice quality
J. Technology: Appropriate music educational web sites; Computers and music
education in the schools, & Finale and music composition.
IX. METHODS OF INSTRUCTION
A. Lecture
B. Class discussions - large and small group
C. Class participation in all singing, playing instruments, movement, singing games,
listening, and music reading & writing
D. Student teachings of songs, singing games, & lessons
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E. Video/DVD/Internet viewing in and out-of-class
F. Modeling & demonstrating of all music learning in class
G. Individual conference/practice in preparation for teaching in class
H. Daily quizzes, Internet assignments, checking of homework, and exams
I. CDs of children singing & appropriate song literature
J. Power Point presentations
X. REQUIRED COURSE PRACTICES & ASSIGNMENTS
A. Reading of the textbook
B. Assigned music education journal articles
C. Preparation for student teachings of a singing game & music lesson
D. Student observations with written assessments
E. Written music series assignment/integrative lessons
F. Out-of-class video/DVD viewing
G. Online viewing
H Individual recorder proficiency practice
XI. EVALUATION
A. Grades are based on a point system of 400 points.
30 pts – Music Series/Integrated Lessons
30 pts – Peer Teaching/ Music Lessons
15 pts – Peer Teaching/Singing Game
200 pts – Exams
GRADING SCALE:
30 pts - Observations
45 pts - Recorder
50 pts – Participation/Assignments
A = 94 to 100 = 376 to 400 points
B = 86 to 93 = 344 to 375 points
C = 75 to 85 = 300 to 343 points
D = 70 to 74 = 280 to 299 points
XI. ADDITIONAL COURSE INFORMATION
A. Attendance - Music’s intrinsic values can only be processed by students when they
are present and fully participating. Therefore, is vital that all students attend class!
1. The Mississippi College attendance policy (absences exceeding 25%) will be
strictly observed - constituting an F in the course.
2. In addition, the policy in this class will be that you may miss 2 class periods,
excused or unexcused for a class that meets 2 times per week. The 3rd absence will constitute a
drop of a letter grade from the final grade earned. Four absences will lose 2 letter grades, etc.
For night or summer classes, you may miss 1 class period with the 2nd miss constituting a loss of
a letter grade from the final grade earned, etc. (See the instructor for extenuating circumstances.)
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3. Arriving 10 minutes or more late to class or leaving class 10 minutes or more
early will constitute a tardy. Three tardies will equal one absence.
B. Late projects, teachings, assignments, etc - will lose 10% of the total points possible.
The professor should be notified in advance of late work. All written work will be turned in at
the beginning of the class period. (See the instructor for extenuating circumstances.)
C. All written papers/projects/assignments/etc. must show high academic standards.
Therefore, one point will be lost for every 2 spelling, grammatical, or typographical errors on
everything turned in for this course. Anything turned in with multiple pages must be secured by
staple or paper clip or it will not be accepted.
D. All written papers/projects/assignments/etc. that are to be typed must be on white
paper with black ink. The font should be 12 and the font face should be Times New Roman.
E. Should you be absent for any reason, it is your responsibility to find out what you
missed. There will be no make-ups on points lost from daily participation. This includes
recorder playing.
F. Student Counseling Services - is located in Alumni Hall, Room #4 or they may be
contacted via email at christia@mc.edu or rward@mc.edu. You may also reach them by phone at
601-925-7790.
G. EARLY ALERT – “Red flag” behaviors which may be detrimental to a student’s
academic success will be noted early in the semester and notice will be sent to the student,
advisor, & Office of Student Success. The student should quickly make an appointment to talk
with his/her professor about the situation. The Office of Student Success is available to all
students to assist in setting academic goals.
XII. REQUIRED INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS
A. Textbook - Integrating Music into the Elementary Classroom. 9th ed., Anderson,
William M. & Joy E. Lawrence (2007). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Thomson
B. Recorder Materials 1. Soprano Recorder
2. Recorder Method, Ed Sueta, Dallas, TX: Macie Publishing Co.
XIII. INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS - LELAND SPEED LIBRARY
A. on reserve
120 Singing Games & Dances
B. not on reserve
1.The Musical World of Professor Piccolo. (1993). Created by Jeff Pucci &
Richard Viard. Palo Alto, CA: Opcode Interactive 781.10267 M973p
2. Music Resouces for Multicultural Perspectives – 781.620266 M973r
3. Boomwhackers Games
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4. Rhythm Games for Perception & Cognition (Bk & CD) Abramson, Robert
372.87 Ab83r
5. Feel It!: Rhythm Games for All (Bk & CD) Abramson, Robert 372.87 Ab83f
6. Barresi on Adolescent Voice (1986 Classic). U of Wisconsin-Madison
783.0077 0267 B274b
7. Dalcroze Eurhythmics (1992). GIA Publications. 781.20267 D151
8. Learning Basic Skills (1986 Classic) Hap Palmer & Bob Demaio. Freeport,
NY: Educational Activities 649.5 L479p
9. Lummi Sticks (1989). Twinson Co. 793.9L971
10. The Nutcracker (1985 Classic). BBC and the National Video Corporation.
West Long Branch, NJ: Kultur International Films 792.842 N95
11. Roots of Gospel (1989) 2 Vol. Praise! Home Video. 782.2540267 R679
12. Singing in General Music (1994). Reston, VA: MENC 783.00770267
13. The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra (1957) Benjamin Britten.
Capitol 784.21825 0267 B778y
14. Our Heritage of American Patriotic Songs, 782.421599 Ou7h
15. Beethoven Lives Upstairs (1992). 791.4372 B393
16. Carnival of Animals (1985) by Camile Saint-Saens. Clearvue/EAV
784.21858 Sa25c
17. Danse Macabre (1985). Clearvue/EAV 781.170267 Sa25d
18. Fantasia (1991). Buena Vista, 791.4372 F217
19. Mr. Holland’s Opus (1995). Buena Vista 791.4372 M691
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