First, We Sing! Teaching Strategies: Rhythmic and Melodic Elements for Primary Grades

New and experienced teachers alike will find First We Sing! to be a practical, flexible and creative resource for bringing Kodály's approach into American music classrooms.

The primary grades book presents teaching strategies for each rhythmic and melodic element applicable for grades K – 2. Lessons are printed on 3-hole punched loose-leaf paper so teachers can easily customize the teaching sequence to make the most of each. The materials follow the suggested sequence in the Teacher's Guide (item# 846017), but the flexible packaging makes it easy to use the whole package as is, to customize the curriculum, or to incorporate the strategies into your existing music program. Permission is given to the purchaser to reproduce the materials or adapt for use with tablets, interactive whiteboards, etc .

Each teaching strategy contains a list of needed readiness elements and skills (what the students need to know and be able to do) before learning the new element. It includes a list of activities to prepare for the new element, a scripted, step-by-step procedure for presenting it, and ways to practice using the new element in each skill area.

An index of suggested songs, rhymes, and games, along with art music for active listening, and reading exercises for each element are also included.