MUS 323 - MUSIC EDUCATION IN THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Dr. Bonnie Blu Williams
Aven 210, Phone 925-3443, e-mail - bwilliam@mc.edu
Fall Semester – 3 Hours
www.mc.edu/faculty/bwilliam
II. PREREQUISITE: MUS 202-206 and passage of PPST (Pre-Professional Skills Test).
III. COURSE DESCRIPTION - The aim of this course is to present a survey of materials and
methods in teaching music in the elementary grades for prospective teachers of music in the
public schools.
IV. COURSE RATIONALE - This is an elementary music education methods course designed
to stimulate critical thinking concerning the teaching profession and the role of the elementary
music instructor as an integral component in the musical, aesthetic, and social development of
the elementary child. The course will prepare students with competencies necessary to creatively
formulate and plan a thorough elementary music program, and effectively teach and evaluate
said elementary music program.
V. STUDENT OBJECTIVES - The students will be able to
A. Develop a personal philosophy of music education that focuses on why teach music,
how it should be taught, and what should be taught.
B. Describe how students learn, how teachers diagnose their musical capabilities,
learning styles, and individual interests.
C. Name accepted learning theories and be able to apply them in program construction
and lesson planning.
D. Describe how students develop physically, emotionally, aesthetically, socially, and
cognitively (intellectually).
E. Identify what should be taught: data, concepts, and generalizations, process skills,
music skills, and attitudes.
F. Write appropriate and clearly stated long-term goals and instructional objectives for
the teaching of the major components in a general music curriculum.
G. Select, sequence, and use a variety of appropriate learning experiences and materials
to realize stated objectives.
H. Develop appropriate teaching strategies for directing the learning activities of
individuals, the class, and special learners.
I. Evaluate the success of the music program for individuals, the class, the school, and
the community.
VI. ACADEMIC INTEGRITY - Mississippi College encourages all students to conduct
themselves with the highest regard for personal ethics, integrity, and honesty. Christian
principles are closely adhered to in this class. Plagiarism will not be tolerated.
VII. TUITION REFUND – A tuition refund cannot be made on dropped classes after the first
week of classes.
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VIII. TOPICS TO BE COVERED
A. Curriculum Development
B. Technology in Music Education
C. Movement & Music
D. Music Instruments
E. Music Elements: rhythm, melody, etc.
F. Personal Philosophy
G. MS Fine Arts Framework
H. Learning Theories
I. Creativity in the Music Class
J. Listening with Discernment
K. Child’s Singing Voice
L. National Standards for the Arts in Music
M. Multi-Cultural Perspectives & Music Ed
N. Special Learners
O. Classroom Management
P. Children’s Choirs
IX. METHODS OF INSTRUCTION
A. Lecture
B. Class discussions - large & small group
C. Class participation in all singing, playing instruments, movement, singing games,
listening, & music reading & writing
D. DVD/Video/Internet viewing in and out-of-class
E. Teacher modeling & demonstrating of music activities in class
F. Individual skills work/assessment on piano & recorder & autoharp
X. REQUIRED PRACTICES
A. Reading of the textbook
B. Assigned music education articles
C. Student observations: DVD, video, internet, schools
D. Written music lesson plans
F. Individual proficiency on recorder & piano
F. Peer teaching
G. Supervised teaching in the schools
H. Technology project
I. Choral Program
J. Methodology Project
XI. REQUIRED INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS
A. Textbook - Music in Childhood (2006) 4th Ed. Enhanced Ed., Campbell, Patricia
Shehan & Carol Scott-Kassner. New York: Schirmer Books
B. Soprano Recorder
XII. EVAULATION
Grades are based on a point system of 500 points.
200 Points - Semester Exams
50 Points – Methodology Exam
100 Points - 3 Teaching/Observing in the Schools
150 Points - Class participation, lesson plans, written projects, peer teaching,
video/DVD/internet viewing, philosophy, quizzes, & etc.
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Grading Scale:
A = 94 to 100 = 470 - 500 points
B = 86 to 93 = 430 - 469 points
C = 75 to 85 = 375 - 429 points
D = 70 to 74 = 350 - 374 points
Below 70 is an F
To earn an A in this course, you must also be able to demonstrate the following, either in the
context of the microteaching in class, or in private meetings with the professor:
ability to lead an unaccompanied song, giving pitch and tempo properly, and modeling
appropriate vocal quality for children;
ability to play a piano accompaniment from a basal text series at the 4th or 5th grade
level and/or harmonize a folk tune at the keyboard; and
ability to play the soprano recorder with good intonation, tone quality, and accurate
fingerings, both in prepared repertoire and improvisations.
XIII. ADDITIONAL COURSE INFORMATION
A. Attendance is vital to acquire the necessary music skills and children’s repertoire
covered in this class. In addition, music’s intrinsic values can only be processed by students
when they are present and fully participating. Therefore, it is vital that all students attend class!
1) The Mississippi College attendance policy (absences exceeding 25%) will be
strictly observed - 8 absences for a course that meets 2 times a week,
constituting an F in the course.
2) In addition, the policy in this class is that you may miss 2 class periods,
excused or unexcused. The 3rd absence will constitute a drop of a letter
grade from the final grade earned. Four absences will lose 2 letter grades,
and etc. (See professor for extenuating circumstances)
3) Arriving 10 minutes or more late to class or leaving class 10 minutes or more
early will constitute a tardy. Two tardies will equal one absence.
B. Late projects, teachings, assignments, & etc are not acceptable! See the professor
for extenuating circumstances. Points will be lost for anything late!
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.
D. 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 without prior
consent by the professor.
E. In order for a student to receive disability accommodations under Section 504 of the
Americans with Disabilities Act, he or she must contact Student Counseling Services (SCS).
SCS will assist with information regarding the appropriate policy and procedure for disability
accommodations before each semester or upon immediate recognition of the disability. SCS is
located in Alumni Hall Room #4 or you may contact them by phone at 601-925-7790. The
Director of Student Counseling Services, Dr. Bryant may be reached via email at
mbryant@mc.edu.
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XIV. INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN AVEN ROOM 403
A. Music Series Texts - may be checked out
Music Connection, (1995), grades K-8, Silver Burdett & Ginn
B. Classroom Instruments: Autoharps, melody bells, 2 guitars, & various
classroom percussion instruments
C. Orff Instrumentarium: xylophones, metallophones, & glockenspiels
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS - LELAND SPEED LIBRARY – RESERVE
A. 120 Singing Games & Dances for Elementary Schools, 1987, Choksy, Lois & David
Brummitt
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS - LELAND SPEED LIBRARY
A. Books
1. 120 Singing Games & Dances for Elementary Schools (1987). Lois Choksy &
David Brummitt, Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall, Inc. 796.13 C452o
2. 150 American Folk Songs to Sing, Read & Play (1974). Edited by Peter Erdei.
782.7162 0264 Er260.
3. Jim Along Josie (1970). Nancy Langstaff. 784.624 L269j.
4. Let’s Slice the Ice: a Collection of Black Children’s Ring Games and Chants
(1978). Compiled by Eleanor Fulton & Pat Smith. 796.13 L569.
5. Movement plus Rhymes, Songs & Singing Games: Activities for Children
Ages 3-7 (1988). Phyllis Weikart. Ypsilanti, MI: High/Scope Press.
796.13 W429m.
6. Movement for Children: Based on Musik fur Kinder (1977). Coordination by
Hermann Regner. Schott Music corp. 784.68077 0264 Or3m.
7. Preparing Instructional Objectives. (1975). Robert F. Mager, Belmont, CA:
Fearon Publishers, INC 371.39 M272p
8. Sail Away: 155 American Folk Songs to Sing, Read, & Play (1988). Edited by
Eleanor Locke. 782.42162 0264 Sa25.
9. Step it Down (1972). Bessie Jones, 796.13 J711s.
B. DVD/Videos
1. Dalcroze Eurhythmics (1992). 781.20267 D151
2. Learning Basic Skills (1986). 649.5 L479p
3. Lummi Sticks (1989). 793.9L971.
4. The Nutcracker (1985). 792.842 N95.
5. Singing in General Music (1994). 783.00770267.
6. The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra (1957). 784.21825 0267 B778y
7. Beethoven Lives Upstairs (1992). 791.4372 B393.
8. Carnival of Animals (1985). 784.21858 Sa25c.
9. Danse Macabre (1985). 781.170267 Sa25d.
10. Fantasia (1991). 791.4372 F217.
11. Mr. Holland’s Opus (1995). 791.4372 M691.
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