Books

SongWorks 1: Singing in the Education of Children (1997) Song does work! Based on the premise that singing is the most natural and effective way to teach music at the elementary level, this text shows pre- and in-service teachers how to create engaging, purposeful music experiences for children. SongWorks uses a “principles approach” and is loaded with classroom- and time-tested music activities.

Available for purchase directly from SongWorks Press for $40 plus $5 shipping & handling. US shipping only. Please contact us at songworkspress@gmail.com for shipping costs on international orders.




SongWorks 2: Singing from Sound to Symbol (1999) Focusing on music study for children, SongWorks 2 is based on a set of Principles for Teaching and Learning Music that builds toward symbolizing sound from how we hear music, rather than how we see it in notation. With the goal of maintaining musicality, strategies in this approach differ from many widely accepted practices.

Available for purchase directly from SongWorks Press for $40 plus $5 shipping & handling. US shipping only. Please contact us at songworkspress@gmail.com for shipping costs on international orders.




SongWorks Combo Pack: Includes SongWorks 1: Singing in the Education of Children and SongWorks 2: Singing from Sound to Symbol. Purchase both books together in this convenient combo pack for a discounted price.

Available for purchase directly from SongWorks Press for $70 plus $8 shipping & handling. US shipping only. Please contact us at songworkspress@gmail.com for shipping costs on international orders.





SongPlay: A Collection of Playful Songs for Children (1999) The songplays in this creative book will engage children in playful, nurturing experiences. As they sing simple folksongs, children learn to respond to each other, focus and listen, use their imaginations, develop their social skills, and coordinate their movements with sound. The well-designed layout makes lesson-planning a breeze!

 SongPlay is accompanied by a set of audio-file performances of each song contained in the book. Spoken comments are also included on the file. With the purchase of the book, the set will be sent at no additional cost. 

 

Available for purchase directly from SongWorks Press for $17.50 plus $2.50 shipping & handling. US shipping only. Please contact us at songworkspress@gmail.com for shipping costs on international orders.




Playing with the Classics, Volume 1: Music Masterworks for Children (2011) Peggy D. Bennett presents her classroom-tested creative ideas for movement, stories, and listening activities as she delights preschool through primary-age children with orchestral favorites. The 11 lessons are designed to be used by experienced music teachers and novices alike. The CD contains 30 tracks, including selections from An American in Paris, Bizet’s Carmen, Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker Suite, Haydn’s Surprise Symphony,and many more, aiming to make these great works of music “come alive” for children.

Playing with the Classics, Volume 2: Music Masterworks for Children (2012) The simple, charming, and playful lessons in Playing with the Classics give children a chance to sing, move, and act while they listen to the music of great composers. The Listening List for Volume Two contains 15 tracks, all of which can be downloaded from online sites such as iTunes, Amazon or Google Music as needed. The 15 lessons in Playing with the Classics, Volume 2 will help make these great works a part of your students’ beloved repertoire of music and capture their interest in orchestral music for a lifetime.

RhymePlay: Playing with Children and Mother Goose (2009) Charming the senses of children is key to the spirit of RhymePlay. The simplicity and musical lilt of Mother goose rhymes engageand enchant children as they play with language, dexterity and imagination. Accompanying the delightful rhymes are finger play movements, playlet ideas, and reading puzzles.

 

Additional SongWorks Resources

 

Welcome to SongWorks for Children! We are eager to introduce you to the activities, the ideas, and the children featured here.

What will you see in this collection? You will see three-, four-, and five-year-old children “being themselves” as they make music in Oberlin’s MusicPlay classes. You will see children immersed in singing games, nursery rhymes, masterworks, pop songs, and score reading. You will see teachers and parents being playful, interacting with children and music in ways that capture imaginations, focus attentions, stimulate senses, and elicit responsiveness.

To view the SongWorks Video Library click the button below.