Adhering to a constructivist approach, this teacher focused on problem solving and group discussion as she initiated a study of traditional notation. She began with the metronome to make the steady beat less abstract for those students who still learn best through concrete operations. The students were challenged to match magnets of various…

This article discusses the numerous benefits of employing contrast-and-compare lessons in music education settings. Such activities focus on the elements of music through the higher-order thinking processes of analyzing, comparing, organizing, and evaluating. They also integrate with the teaching goals and practices of many general educators in…

Focuses on the use of different learning modalities in elementary music classes. Describes four learning modalities (aural, kinesthetic, tactile, and visual) and discusses how these modalities can aid in children's conceptual understanding. Discusses the benefits of this approach and includes a lesson plan using the learning modalities. (CMK)