WEARING THE MUSICIANS HAT...

Ann has a succesful career writing class music resources as well as a series of piano tutors. Her book "Teaching Key Stage 1 Music"  won the 2002 Music Publishers' Award for Best New Product.

 

  • COMPLETE SCHEMES OF WORK FOR CLASSROOM MUSIC

- Three books of step-by-step schemes of work for Foundation, Keystage 1 and Keystage 2 music

"In one primary school which I suggested adopt this scheme last year, with a non specialist music co-ordinator, music lessons were what 6 staff wanted to show to the inspectors in their recent OFSTED!"

Dr Richard Woolford

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  • INTRODUCING CLASSICAL MUSIC THROUGH STORIES
- A set of six fully illustrated books each packaged with a CD of a piece of classical music, for which the story has been specially written, So story, illustration and music blend to provide three dimensional inspiration for young children at home and at school

"The QCA programme of study for music states that pupils should listen to 'a range of live and recorded music from different cultures' so this definitely fits the bill. We finished up using the story and the music as a starting point for literacy and art work too. The whole project developed such an enormous amount of interest and enthusiasm!"

Sue Mahon, Year 2 Teacher

  

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  • PICTURES, POEMS AND PERCUSSION

- Two beautiful books with an accompanying CD full of backing tracks.

"The interweaving of the three title elements is a very exciting concept, albeit a simple one: take a carefully crafted poem, illustrate it imaginatively, and then provide some creative music to accompany it. What do you get? An original and exciting resource that will have you addressing the requirements of the National Curriculum for Music (especially the dreaded composing), without a moment's panic or hours of anxious preparation. The opportunities it affords for music-making are endless. This is a project that will have your children engaged and participating - performing, composing and responding - inspiring them on many levels."

Helen Johnson - Out of the Ark publisher

 

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  •  THE KEYCLUB PIANO COURSE

 

- A series of piano books for beginners

The Keyclub Piano Course is a new world of learning the piano and is designed specifically to suit the needs of today's children and teachers.
It contains: Keyclub Piano Tutors Books 1, 2 and 3, Teacher's and Parent Guide, and Keyclub to the Rescue 1,2 and 3.

  • The tutors take place in Keyland, so the whole series has its own integral fantasy world for children to enjoy discovering.

  • The magical illustrations and the zany, memorable words bring Keyland to life - which makes practising fun. This also brings about the hugely successful 'learn by association' process.

  • There are no instructions on the pages - these really are the pupils' own books. This allows the teacher to teach the child as they judge best.

  • Notes are taught one at a time, and every time a new note is taught, this 'key' opens a door to a new area of Keyland. At the end of every section (or area of Keyland) the pupil is rewarded with a 'key' sticker

  • There is a big emphasis on intervals with names such as 'steps' skips', 'flea jumps' etc.

  • There are worksheets and 'Info-check' pages for reinforcement.

  • In Book 1 every piece has words as well as teacher's accompaniment. In Book 2, every piece has words, but the teacher's accompaniments are dropped. Book 3 has longer pieces without words or accompaniments. Suitable places for teaching scales and broken chords are integrated into this book (see the Teacher's and Parent's Guide below). The keys of C major, A minor, F major, D minor, G major and E minor are covered, taught in pairs of relatives.

"Congratulations for producing such a fine set of piano tutor books! The 'Keyclub' piano course is without a doubt the most successful I have used to date and comes closest to my 'ideal' piano course! The books are tremendously popular with my pupils: they appreciate the attractive, colourful illustrations and really enjoy the great variety of songs to sing and play. They are definitely motivated by your excellent idea of dividing the books into 'Keylands' - they enjoy the satisfaction of completing a Keyland and adding the sticker, and are always looking forward to the next Keyland! From my point of view, I appreciate having a Teacher's Guide to accompany the series - I have found this very useful, especially when I was less familiar with the course. I also appreciate the minimal fingering and the emphasis on note-reading by intervals - it really has encouraged both my pupils and myself to get away from an early reliance on finger numbers and hence gain a much more confident beginning to reading musical notation."

Helen Ketteridge CT ABRSM, from Nottingham

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  • MUSIC AND ACTION CD 
- MISTER WOLF and Little Red Riding Hood. A CD of music/movement activities for 2-5s. This can be done at home with parents or in nursery/reception. Simply put on the CD and join in! This might be the child's first experience of listening to a disembodied voice giving instructions, so 'Cuthbert the Caterpillar' joins Ann to make for the friendliest possible presentation of the story and the music/movement activities. Between 15 and 20 minutes of fun! 

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