Ready, Set, Go to KMEA - 2012

Are you ready for the deal of the year? The KMEA ISW offerings for elementary music teachers this year have something for everyone at an affordable price. I encourage all of you to make this year's KMEA ISW a priority! More detailed information is available at: www.ksmea.org and will be in the conference program.

Elementary Music Sessions
The Amidons are coming! Peter and Mary Alice Amidon will be our opening clinicians, Thursday, February 23. The Amidons are nationally known for their dedication to traditional song, dance, and storytelling. They will present two sessions: "Teaching Traditional Dance to Children," and "Literature, Storytelling and Music." You will learn how to create positive and engaging dance experiences for your students. Don't miss the Community Folk Dance beginning at 7:00 p.m. The Amidons will lead participants through dynamic and easy to learn dances from New England and beyond. Everyone is invited to attend because the dance is NOT just for elementary music teachers! I have been inspired by the Amidons and have organized with my P.E. teacher a folk dance night at our school for the last six years. Peter and Mary Alice Amidon are being sponsored by the New England Dancing Masters Productions, West Music, KMEA, and KMEK (Kodály Music Educators of Kansas).

Friday, February 24, John Feierabend will present two sessions: "First Steps in Music: Vocal Development in the Early Years," and "First Steps in Music: Movement Development in the Early Years." If you have attended John's sessions you know they are full of energy and new ideas! He will reveal how children think about music and what we can do to help them musically develop. John is considered one of the leading authorities on music and movement development in early childhood and we are thrilled to have him back in Kansas! John Feierabend is being sponsored by GIA Publications and Senseney Music.

The elementary music reading session, "Developing Choral Super-Singers," will be led by Cheryl Lavender. Cheryl is an internationally recognized master music educator, composer, author, and clinician. She taught music at all levels for 37 years and has 50+ resources for music educators including music games, song collections, and teaching strategies. Cheryl will also present two additional sessions: "Making Each Minute Count," and "Calling All World Brothers and Sisters." Each session will include activities, games, strategies, tips, and techniques that maximize the learning of music concepts in a minimum amount of lesson time. The second session will also include multicultural songs/dances that nurture compassionate, global connections and understanding. Cheryl Lavender is being sponsored by Hal Leonard, Senseney Music, and KMEA.

Saturday, February 25, Brian Burnett, widely known for his contributions to textbooks and Orff work across the nation, will present: "Integration." This session will include vocabulary and strategies from other disciplines that can help you integrate music and movement teaching with integrity while making across the curriculum connections. His second session, "Assessment for Learning," will provide a practical assessment program that helps students evaluate and reflect on music skills and content. It will include rubric design and criteria development as key tools for learning. Brian Burnett is being sponsored by MacGraw Publishers, KMEA, and KOC (Kansas Orff Chapter).

In addition to the above, other offerings will include:

1. "Seasonal Songs and Games" by KMEK Members, the Kodály educators will present holiday/ seasonal songs for the rest of the year with a Kodály twist of movement and games.
2. "Our Greatest Asset in Helping Special Needs Students in the Elementary Music Room: Paraprofessionals." Presenter Mollie Nusz will include tips on communication, modification ideas, and how to maximize the paraprofessional help in the classroom to promote success for all in our music classes.
3. "Crossing the Curriculum with Sanity: Interdisciplinary Ideas in General Music," presenter Karen Stafford will provide lesson plans and projects formulated to incorporate other disciplines into a regular music class, without losing the focus of teaching music for music's sake. The philosophical emphasis on the majority of these lessons will be based on Orff-Schulwerk ideas.
4. A performance by the Wichita All City 5th Grade Honor Choir under the direction of Shawn Chastain.

The dates are February 23 - 25, 2012 in rooms 210 B and C, Century II. The sessions will be presided by members of the KMEA, Orff, and Kodály organizations. We look forward to making connections and learning from the inspiring presenters.

On a final note, please consider submitting a recording for your choir, class, or ensemble to perform at the 2013 KMEA In-Service Workshop. The May deadline will be posted on the KMEA website and I will be happy to speak with anyone at the conference about the details of the submission process.

Get ready, (register for the ISW online at: www.ksmea.org) get set, (line up your substitute) and GO to KMEA 2012! I look forward to seeing you there!