Music is Elementary

Authors: Roger Sams, BethAnn Hepburn
Editor: Jill Trinka
Format: Book and CD-ROM
Version: Classroom Materials

Purposeful Pathways, by Roger Sams and BethAnn Hepburn, edited by Jill Trinka, is an extensive collection of curricular materials for learning music through active music making. Based on the philosophies of Orff, Kodaly, and Dalcroze, this collection of developmentally sequenced learning activities offers elementary music educators diverse choices for how to present folk song and original material, including lessons in singing, literacy, movement, improvisation, composition and instrumental ensemble. Rhythmic concepts covered in Book 3 include quarter note, quarter rest, two eighth notes, half note, half rest, dotted half note, whole note, whole rest, sixteenth notes dotted quarter eighth rhythm and variations, eighth rest, and anacrusis. Pitch inventory covered in Book 3 is extended do hexatonic and la hexatonic. Includes a CD-ROM of PDF files for printing hands-on manipulatives.

Optional CD-ROM of electronic visuals is also available for purchase.

Purposeful Pathways is endorsed by leading experts in all three pedagogical approached utilized. Here's what the experts are saying:

Purposeful Pathways Book 3 builds on the skills provided in the first two books; expanding vocal range, increasing rhythmic complexities, and providing students with more musical choices. As with the first two books, this collection of teaching materials continues the tradition of integrating singing, the playing of instruments, and creative and purposeful movement in ways that provide multiple ways of knowing. Musical independence is a recurring theme throughout this volume. Students become more adept at canon, part-singing, conducting, notating, and composing. Movement lessons, such as flocking, integrate both Dalcroze and Laban concepts and encourage purposeful musical choices in representing the music. This series is essential for music educators keen to integrate active music learning approaches into the general music classroom.
- R. J. David Frego, Ph.D., Chair of the Department of Music and Dance
The University of Texas at San Antonio
Founding President, American Eurhythmics Society

In Purposeful Pathways Book 3 the materials are well sequenced and provide multiple opportunities for meaningful musical engagement through creating, performing, responding to, and connecting with artistic musical material. Music educators will find a variety of songs, instrumental pieces, creative movement experiences, technology resources, and suggestions for implementation that will empower them to develop their own active learning environments in which students learn through singing, moving, composing, creating, and performing on instruments.
- Brent Gault, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Music, Indiana University Jacobs School of Music
Past President, Organization of American Kodly Educators

The choices of appealing traditional and composed songs serve the purposes of the lessons, presenting new rhythmic and melodic concepts, through more complex movement, vocal, and instrumental skills. Purposeful Pathways Book 3 helps the teacher to plan from choices of well-outlined lesson processes. The optional disc of electronic visuals accompanies the lessons, eliminating many hours teachers could spend on constructing charts of icons and patterns for each lessons. Teachers will learn how to model patterns of thinking and presenting that help them make valuable observations and connections with their students. Above all, teachers will enjoy using this book and the materials students will want to perform, again and again.
- Arvida Steen, MMEd., Retired Master Orff Schulwerk Teacher and Teacher Educator
Author of Exploring Orff
Past President, American Orff-Schulwerk Association