Teaching Resources

Discover the life and times of famous artists and composers in these fictionalized episodes, overflowing with examples of their art and music.

The riveting story of the Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra during the time of Hitler.

 by Laban Carrick Hill.  

Sofia Lopez-Ibor uses the ideas and processes of Orff Schulwerk, always seeking the experience of the music, the story, the art, the dance. 

Integrated Music, Art, and Literature Activities by Aimee Curtis Pfitzner.

by Mark Greenwood. Carnival time in Trinidad! Join the parade!

by "Uncle Devin" Walker, popular percussionist and children's educator

The Story of the Recycled Orchestra of Paraguay by Susan Hood and Sally Wern Comport

by Julia Jordan Kamanda

By Julia Jordan Kamanda, illus. by Sita DeGiulio Das. Explore melody with a pan flute in Peru.

Jeanne M. Lee. A deaf/mute Cambodian girl learns to communicate through movement & dance.

by Helaine Becker, illus. by Ron Lightburn  Create hand-clapping patterns to this playful Juba chant from Nigeria. 

Jeanne M. Lee.  Cambodia, communicating without speech or hearing.  

A little lamb outwits a hungry coyote in this Mexican-American folk tale retold by Verna Aardema. Then explore the Latino culture with LeVar Burton in a visit with the musical group Los Lobos for a fun-filled Mexican fiesta.

In the book by Tomi dePaola a young Indian boy follows his vision quest for a special gift he can give to his people. He discovers the Pueblo Indian peoples' use of natural materials in their pottery, painting and dance. 

In the book by Jeanne Lee, a young Cambodian girl, who cannot hear or speak, is invited to become a dancer in the king's court. She finds a way to communicate through the beauty of movement and dance. 

In the book by Petra Mathers a shy mouse teaches herself to dance.  From mambo to hip-hop, host LeVar Burton does some fancy footwork, then he takes us on a tour of dance around the world.

The Paper Crane by Molly Bang. Celebrate Japanese culture by exploring the ancient art of origami and Japanese dance.

This Emmy Award-winning series inspires a love of reading in PreK-3, and offers an excellent introduction to many varieties of music through the medium of the best children's literature. Highly recommended.