10 Books that Every Kodaly Teacher Should Have on Their Bookshelf

I have frequently been asked and I have seen similar questions posted on Kodaly and Music Ed Facebook groups. "I am interested in learning more about Kodaly. What book resources should I get?" So I thought I would compile a list of ten of my personal favorites. 

Now, if you know anything about Kodaly teachers, we really are hoarders when it comes to resources. You can absolutely never have too many. Some books might have great pedagogical ideas, sequences, song lists, or folk songs. Some folk songs might have additional verses in other books or they might be a variant (did anyone else have to go collect variants in their levels??)

Now, let's be clear on what I am NOT saying. I am NOT telling you that you need to rush out and buy these 10 books if they are not currently on your bookshelf. I am not telling you that these are the top 10 in all of Kodaly world. I am not saying that there are not even better resources out there. I am not telling you that these will replace Kodaly training. Absolutely nothing will. But if you...

A) want to learn more about the Kodaly concept

B) have taken or are in levels and want to see what books other Kodaly teachers are using

or C) are in a Kodaly resource book addicts' club (hellllloooo, you are my people!)

then this post is for you!

SO, in no particular order:

1) Yearly Plans by Ann Eisen and Lamar Robertson

This was so valuable to me when I was going through my Kodaly training before I had made my own yearly plans. It lays out month by month for each grade level what you should be preparing, presenting ,and practicing and includes song suggestions and practice activities. It is meant to be a companion to the American Methodology, so if you get this, I strongly recommend that you also own the American Methodology.

2) 150 American Folk Songs to sing read and play

Lovingly referred to as the "150". This book was a required text when I was in level 1 and it is such a great resource for finding folk songs. It organizes them by tone set, which makes it really easy to find songs when you are working on specific concepts.

3) Sail Away 155 American Folk Song to sing read and play

The "155" is a collection of EVEN MORE folk songs, because, let's be honest, we can never have too many. Like the 150, this one is organized by tone set.

4) ANYTHING by the New England Dance Masters (a few of my favorites are Chimes of Dunkirk and Sashay the Donut)

When I started at my school I was told that they had a tradition of a folk dancing night and that each grade level was to perform a dance on stage. At the time, I hadn't been exposed to much folk dancing, but through Kodaly, our community folk dances at KMEA, and various workshops I have not only come to really enjoy it, but feel comfortable and confident teaching them to my students. Definitely get these books with the CDs and if you can, the DVDs when available. I LOVE watching Peter and Mary Alice Amidon teach the dances. The break it down into steps and a pay really close attention to the little details that really help students be successful in learning them without feeling frustrated.

 5) Lullabies to Circle Games by Jo Kirk (I have not found a place to order this online, but if you are interested in it, you can reach Jo Kirk on her website)

This has tons of fingerplays, lullabies, and songs for children from before birth through elementary school age. I strongly recommend this book for parents and those who might teach early childhood or preschool music classes, but there are things I pull from it for K/1/2 still.

6) Handy Play Party Book

What I love about this is it gives me information about what I can DO with the songs (the singing game or the play party) which maybe I hadn't previously been aware of. 

 7) The Song Garden (Book 1, 2, 3) by Carol Heath - I believe these are out of print. I couldn't find them on Amazon or Ebay when I looked, but they are a treasure trove. Unfortunately, these three are just collections of songs. There is a book that goes with these that tells what you do with each song and how to teach it, but I don't have my hands on it... yet.

8) An American Methodology by Ann Eisen and Lamar Robertson

 

This was basically our bible in level 3, and that's where I really learned how to utilize it and what the breakdown of physical/aural/visual looked like and countless activities for each during each concept. It also included a variety of ways to practice each concept that are really helpful to me when lesson planning.

9) Kodaly Today by Houlahan and Tacka

This book was so incredibly helpful to me after level 1 when I was starting at a new school and trying to implement the Kodaly method which was new for all of my students. This book has a section specifically for older beginners and it has some really great song lists.

10) First, We Sing! Book Two (and Book 1) By Susan Brumfield 

 

I love both Book 1 and Book 2 from Susan Brumfield. She was at KMEA and I got to see her present this past year. The books come with CDs that include her students singing the songs and are great models for your students. These recordings are perfect to leave when you have a sub and the students already know the game but that vocal model can help them to sing in an appropriate range while you are away. I like that a lot of the songs in these books were new to me and there are some nice multicultural pieces in them.

BONUS 11) Anything by Jill Trinka - I would be remiss if I did not mention Jill Trinka's song collections. They include a huge variety of folk songs and singing games and are definitely worth the purchase!

So what are YOUR go to books in your collection? I'd love to hear!

Dollar Days of Summer - Week 3

Thanks for joining Cori from Rhythm and Bloom and I for week 3 of Dollar Days of Summer. You can check in each week on my blog or on our Facebook pages (Rhythm and Bloom and Lindsay's Kodaly Inpsired Classroom) to see what will be the dollar deal of the week. This is a great way to stock up for next and snag some great deals!

If you missed the excitement last week, when you visit my store, you will see a "Dollar Days of Summer" banner. If you click on the banner, you will see the item in my store that is discounted to $1 for that week!

You can find all the participating deals by visiting my blog every Sunday/Monday of the summer. I will have a linky party at the bottom of my blog post with links to all the $1 deals. 

Needing a little lesson planning inspiration? This third week of June, my $1 deal will be my Kindergarten Lesson Plan Day 2. (Lesson #1 is a forever freebie here)

Hopefully these lessons will give you fresh ideas that your kiddos will love as well as give you a peek into how I set up my lessons, transition between activities, teach beginning of the year procedures, and more. Each lesson is scripted out so that you can see exactly how I would teach each lesson, the key questions I would ask my students, etc.

 

Each lesson includes all of the songs that I use unless they are copyrighted and then I have usually included a link to where you can find that song or listening example.

        

Cori's set this week is her Music Performance Self Evaluations for K-3:

She says "I think that one of the most valuable parts of a student performance is self reflection; I love to read their thoughts and I always want to hear how they think I can improve. I've collected this set includes 8 worksheets that vary in difficulty for your kindergarten through third grade students. All you have to do is print and you will be so amazed at what they have to say!

Here are some sample pages:

Are you a seller on TPT and would like to link up? Here are the details:

1) Choose one item from your store (regular price $5 or less), mark it down to $1, and add a link below. You can link directly to the item on TPT or you can write a blog post about your awesome resource and link up with the blog post address. You do not have to have a blog to participate.

2) There will be 20 open spots each week and they are first come, first serve. 

3) If you link up, share a link to my blog post with the link up on your social media to help others find out about these incredible deals!

Link up below:

An InLinkz Link-up

Dollar Days of Summer - Week 2

Thanks for joining Cori from Rhythm and Bloom and I for week 2 of Dollar Days of Summer. You can check in each week on my blog or on our Facebook pages (Rhythm and Bloom and Lindsay's Kodaly Inpsired Classroom) to see what will be the dollar deal of the week. This is a great way to stock up for next and snag some great deals!

If you missed the excitement last week, when you visit my store, you will see a "Dollar Days of Summer" banner. If you click on the banner, you will see the item in my store that is discounted to $1 for that week!

You can find all the participating deals by visiting my blog every Sunday/Monday of the summer. I will have a linky party at the bottom of my blog post with links to all the $1 deals. 

This second week of June, my $1 deal will be my Ta and Titi Set of my Telephone Rhythm game: 

This game can be played as a whole class game. You could also use it in centers or as a great way to get them quiet and still working on music as they are lined up waiting for their teacher.

I couldn't decide when I was making the set if I should use cell phone or "old fashioned" telephones, so I included both. Print the set you think your students will enjoy most! If you grab my bundle, each concept is a different color to help you keep the cards straight. :)

          

Cori's set this week is her See Saw set:

She says "This engaging activity is an Orff arrangement and rhythm composition for first or second grade. It is a group project I use at the end of first grade to review quarter note, two eighth notes, and quarter rest using fun playground 2 beat rhythms."

     

Are you a seller on TPT and would like to link up? Here are the details:

1) Choose one item from your store (regular price $5 or less), mark it down to $1, and add a link below. You can link directly to the item on TPT or you can write a blog post about your awesome resource and link up with the blog post address. You do not have to have a blog to participate.

2) There will be 20 open spots each week and they are first come, first serve. 

3) If you link up, please share a link to my blog post with the link up on your social media to help others find out about these incredible deals!

Link up below:

An InLinkz Link-up

Dollar Days of Summer- Week 1 (6/5-6/11)

I am teaming up with Cori from Rhythm and Bloom to host Dollar Days of Summer. Check in each week on my blog or on our Facebook pages (Rhythm and Bloom and Lindsay's Kodaly Inpsired Classroom) to see what will be the dollar deal of the week. This is a great way to stock up for next and snag some great deals!

When you visit my store, you will see a "Dollar Days of Summer" banner (shown below). If you click on the banner, you will see the item in my store that is discounted to $1 for that week!

You can find all the participating deals by visiting my blog every Sunday of the summer. I will have a linky party at the bottom of my blog post with links to all the $1 deals. 

This first week of June, my $1 deal is my Four Voices Posters, Cards, and Assessments. I use this at the beginning of the year with my kindergarten at then continue to refer to them throughout the grade and in various grade levels. My poster set expanded from four voices (speaking, whisper, calling/shouting, singing) to five or six voices (humming and inner hearing) at the request of other music teachers. 

Here are some examples of the posters:

It also includes cards that can be used in centers or small groups like these:

One of my favorite parts of this set is the quick assessment that I use with my kindergarten after presenting and practicing four voices:

My co-host, Cori's, dollar deal this week is her Nutcracker Listening Journal & Fact Sheets. This listening journal is a unique and memorable addition for a Nutcracker unit. Her students love following along with the music and the story in their journals, and they are always so excited to share their completed work with their families!

Are you a seller on TPT and would like to link up? Here are the details:

1) Choose one item from your store (regular price $5 or less), mark it down to $1, and add a link below. You can link directly to the item on TPT or you can write a blog post about your awesome resource and link up with the blog post address. You do not have to have a blog to participate.

2) There will be 20 open spots each week and they are first come, first serve. 

3) If you link up, please share a link to my blog post with the link up on your social media to help others find out about these incredible deals!

Link up below:

An InLinkz Link-up