Came across this thread, and thought I'd see what people thought about it after a couple of years...

With the new school year starting soon, the teachers gathering to get their classrooms ready, etc. The music teacher is sharing what she plans to do for this year, and I'm cringing in the corner of the staff room.

I've been at this school for several years, and not once, NOT ONCE, have my students ever come back from music class humming or singing a song. They don't sing in music! They chant, pound on chimes, rattle, bang, and clatter, but they don't sing. Ever. According to the music teacher, she is using the renowned "Orff" method. If this is true, how did it get so "renowned?"

In my classroom, we sing. And sing and sing! (I often use singing to teach reading.) My students made a CD this year; they had 18 songs on it, that they chose from the ones we learned over the course of the year. (Nothing fancy--the kids & me, singing away, with my autoharp accompaniment. Recorded it with a minidisc recorder. Made copies for every student!)

I even set up an assembly for the entire school--free--with a band & a caller, and we sang folksongs and danced trad. dances and talked about poineers all day...the kids loved it, but the music teacher didn't notice!

I remember singing in music class as a child--it was the highlight of my week! (Unlike gym, which was torture...) I still remember many of the songs I learned back then. I think it's too bad that our students are missing out on all this.

So? Anyone else want to share school music experiences? Anyone know much about the "Orff" method?

Denise:^)