[HANASHIR:6754] Re: K-6 sunday school music

[Ellen Allard <ellen...>]

Judy,

Any idea how we can find out about this curriculum of songs you refer to?
Sounds very interesting.

Ellen
--
Specializing in Music for Young Children
Ellen (at) PeterandEllen(dot)com
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children's concerts, and teacher workshops, visit
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----------
>From: "Judy Ginsburgh" <jerd (at) centurytel(dot)net>
>To: <hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org>
>Subject: [HANASHIR:6753] Re: K-6 sunday school music
>Date: Sat, Aug 26, 2000, 10:18 AM
>

> I agree, Meris.  I would not typically bring non-Jewish music (especially
> what is currently on the radio today) into a religious school setting.  Most
> of what my two teens listen to would need to be censored anyway.
>
> Several years back, an educator and performer named Ally Sheer from Miami
> created a curriculum which was called something like "Rock and Roll and
> Religion".  He had not only written his own MTVish songs about Jewish
> things, but he put together a curriculum of songs that we all grew up with
> to use as teaching lessons in the Jewish classroom.  It was brilliant and I
> have implemented it many times with groups of teens.  For instance, he took
> the Crosby, Stills and Nash song "Teach Your Children Well" and correlated
> that to the V'ahavta.  There are many songs that can be compared to Torah
> lessons or Jewish values.  Use your imagination.  Play the song, give out
> lyric sheets, analyze the lyrics, make comparisons, find out what the
> message is, have the kids write some songs of their ownon selected themes,
> etc.
>
> When I taught in one religious school on a regular basis, I used to tell the
> kids -- we only sing Jewish songs here.  If you want to sing something you
> are hearing on the radio, then translate it into Hebrew and I will be happy
> to sing it with you.  No one ever did.  But it could happen.
>
> Judy :)
>
> Judy Caplan Ginsburgh, award winning singer/music specialist
> (jerd (at) centurytel(dot)net)
> http://www.jewishentertainment.net/judy
> Director:  Jewish Entertainment Resources -- we help you find Jewish talent!
> http://www.jewishentertainment.net
> Louisiana Professional Artist of the Year!
> Past Conference Chair:  23rd Conference on Alternatives in Jewish Education
> (CAJE)
> http://www.caje.org
> Member: Children's Music Web --  http://www.childrensmusic.org
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Meris Ruzow <meris (at) nycap(dot)rr(dot)com>
> To: <hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org>
> Sent: Friday, August 25, 2000 8:42 AM
> Subject: [HANASHIR:6752] Re: K-6 sunday school music
>
>
>> I'm not trying to be smug or anything, but if you're teaching in a
> religious
>> school setting, shouldn't you be singing jewish songs?   There are plenty
> of
>> good middle school aged  songs out there by Jeff Klepper, Wally
> S.-Briskin,
>> Steve Dropkin, Mah Tovu which would bring forth LOTS of good discussion on
>> tikkun olam and a host of other subjects; especially now with the new year
>> coming there is a lot you can do.   Purchase the CD's for yourself, learn
>> them, decide what YOU like.   Teach with all seriousness the ones you
> decide
>> upon and then discuss.    Take out text and explore.   If purchasing the
>> music is a problem, you need to discuss with your administration/Board the
>> necessity for doing this; otherwise you can't do a good job.    You also
>> don't always have to sing!   You can do a 'directed listening' activity
> and
>> use groups like Safam an discuss immigration, Morranos, etc.   Purchase
>> their music as well!   You'll see that the units to be covered are very
>> important and worthwhile.   Kids like to listen too.    I feel it's
>> important to not always sing, but to allow them to HEAR the original
>> versions of how these composers intended their music to be heard.
>>
>> Good luck!
>> Meris Ruzow
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Shirona <b(dot)s(dot)kaufman (at) worldnet(dot)att(dot)net>
>> To: hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org <hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org>
>> Date: Friday, August 25, 2000 9:10 AM
>> Subject: [HANASHIR:6751] Re: K-6 sunday school music
>>
>>
>> >Jennifer - here's something that worked great for the older kids - 5 to 7
>> >graders:  try a song-sharing session, but - not  - the - Jewish -
> stuff...
>> >
>> > These kids are very sophisticated musically, and they listen to what
> they
>> >consider "cool" and take great pride in their "taste" in music.  Have the
>> >kids take turns introducing their favorite songs and give a little
>> >presentation on the singer/group.  Then the kids can discuss what they
>> >like/dislike about that music in a serious fashion, and you can get them
> to
>> >discuss music in general.
>> >
>> >Then, once you get the children together and involved,  you can introduce
>> >cool, Jewish songs, and there is plenty of great new music out there.
>> >Realistically you can't expect the kids to get excited about silly
> childish
>> >songs in Hebrew - if you compare them to what they listen to at home.
> Ask
>> >them what they like, and perhaps they even know great JEWISH songs that
>> they
>> >can share with the group... you never know... Good luck!!
>> >
>> >Shirona
>> >
>> >
>> >-----Original Message-----
>> >From: Yaffa14 (at) aol(dot)com <Yaffa14 (at) aol(dot)com>
>> >To: hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org <hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org>
>> >Date: Friday, August 25, 2000 2:54 AM
>> >Subject: [HANASHIR:6745] K-6 sunday school music
>> >
>> >
>> >>Allrighty,...
>> >>it is my third year teaching music at sunday school...I have taught the
>> k-3
>> >>the basic songs about colors, family, sing along song, etc...and as they
>> >have
>> >>grown they continue to sing and enjoy them...I've added in many songs
> that
>> >>I've learned at GUCI and through NFTY... but I need some new stuff...
>> >catchy
>> >>and easy to sing...
>> >>these children are getting bored, i feel, and i'm at a loss at what to
>> >do...
>> >>additionally, i have 4-6 graders in an 8 week rotation... my mother,
>> >director
>> >>of education, (convenient and also a difficulty at times) wants me to
> work
>> >>with them on a cantada of sorts or something a little more difficult
> than
>> >>hiney mah tov... however, these children hate being in music class...
> they
>> >>absolutely hate it... I've done sing downs, israeli dancing... yet they
>> >come
>> >>in each week and detest it....
>> >>any ideas on what to do??
>> >>
>> >>Many thanks,
>> >>one love,
>> >>Jennifer Gubitz
>> >>
>> >>
>> >
>> >
>> >
>>
>>
>

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