Roger Sams retired from the music classroom in 2013 after 31 years of teaching music in public and private schools. He has served as adjunct faculty, teaching methods courses and supervising student teachers at Cleveland State University and has been on the faculty in teacher education programs at the University of St. Thomas, Cleveland State University, Akron University, the University of Montana, University of Missouri-St. Louis, and other venues throughout the US. Roger is a regular presenter at state, regional, and national conferences, has served on the AOSA National Board of Trustees, and has worked with teachers and/or children in Canada, China, Indonesia, India, South Korea, Poland, and Scotland. He currently serves as Director of Publications and Music Education Consultant at Music is Elementary (www.MusicIsElementary.com). Trained in Gestalt therapy, Roger is interested in the power of choice in the artistic process, teaching, and life. He is the co-author of “Purposeful Pathways: Possibilities for the Elementary Music Classroom” with Beth Ann Hepburn. He has published works for children’s choirs in the Crooked River Choral Project series and a collection of rounds and partner songs entitled, “A Round My Heart.”
6 Responses
Thank you for sharing great lessons and activities through this website. I was wondering if any of the lessons in your publication have assessments or reflections included. In addition, I was wondering if you provide a link to the National Standards or include the standard from your current state curriculums.
Thank you for sharing.
Hi there. This lesson looks great. I was wondering what grade level you recommend it for? Thank you!
The focus of Fais Dodo is 3/4 meter. So I would suggest you use this lesson at whatever grade level your curriculum introduces 3/4 meter. Good lessons using high quality folk material have a pretty wide span of grades that they can be used with. It is not our intention to tell teachers what grade level they should use our lessons with. We would prefer that you refer to you local curriculum and make your selections in accordance with your curriculum. Our philosophy is the curriculum should be created and/or adopted locally. That is why we are clear to articulate that Purposeful Pathways is a collection of curricular materials, but not a pre-packaged curriculum that takes control of curricular choices out of the teacher’s hands. That being said, I am currently in India and just completed an artist in residency at American Embassy School. The fourth graders here are currently working on 3/4 meter with their teacher. I think you can introduce it as early as third grade. I wouldn’t attempt 3/4 with second graders. – Roger Sams
Thank you so much for Fais Dodo! My first graders are going “Around the World with Felix” and I was looking for an easy French Song. On to Egypt, Greater Africa, and then the U.S. next! This is a GREAT Orff resource! – Jan Osburn
Jan, we are pleased that our lesson was so timely for you and your students. Enjoy your travels around the world of music!
– Your friends at Teaching With Orff
I am very excited about adding “Purposeful Pathways” to my library. I was wondering if there you have an ETA for releasing Promethean Board files for books 1 and 2. Will they be available to download?