WINTER 2017
Quarterly news from Education Through Music
Professional Development Brings a Positive Beat to Music Classrooms Keeping students engaged in the classroom is a constant challenge for teachers. Finding new and innovative ways to support teachers’ efforts to foster active learning is an essential part of Education Through Music’s professional development program. This fall, ETM’s music teachers participated in a professional
development workshop using the cajón, a hardwood box-shaped drum that can be easily played in a range of musical styles. The cajón is ideally suited for classroom learning because of its versatility and simplicity. It is a stand and a seat all in one that students can easily play by tapping out a simple beat and building to more complex patterns.
Music teachers and mentors participate in a cajón drumming workshop as part of ETM’s year-round professional development for teachers.
ETM music teachers led by percussionist and clinician Sebastian Guerrero, learned about the cajón’s Afro-Peruvian roots and how to integrate its rich sound into their music curriculum, as well as other core subject areas like math, social studies and ELA. At St. Ann School in Manhattan, teacher Gordon Green took what he learned in the ETM workshop and used the cajón to help his students learn songs for their Christmas concert. “As an educator, I am constantly looking for new ways to support my students’ learning,” said Green. “I was excited to take what I learned from the cajón workshop and use the new teaching method in my classroom.” Green took phrases from the Christmas songs the students were learning and sang them to a reggaeton while having his students echo the phrase back using the cajón. “Singing these classical melodies to an urban beat really changed the vibe of the class, and the students had fun Continued on page 2
Quality music education for all children