Introducing the
For Primary/Elementary Music Educators
Welcome to
G'day and welcome, Primary and Elementary Music Educators! If you're seeking innovative ways to engage your young students in the wonders of music, you've landed in the right place. Join us for a four-week journey into the realm of hands-on manipulatives, where musical concepts come to life in exciting, interactive ways.
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from Debbie O'Shea
Take a peek behind the scenes and learn more about the course directly from Debbie O'Shea!
Calling all primary/elementary school music teachers! Whether you're a seasoned educator or just starting your journey, Marvellous Music Manipulatives is tailored to suit your needs. Each module covers a range of activities and manipulates for children aged from 4 to 11 years old. Designed to inject creativity into your teaching repertoire, this course is perfect for those eager to explore new avenues for imparting musical knowledge to young minds.
The
What you'll learn!
Begins 6 September
Dive into our inaugural module, where we lay the groundwork for musical exploration. With six dynamic activities and songs, we'll introduce students to manipulatives while covering fundamental rhythm and dynamics concepts.
Each activity comes complete with printable music notation, lyrics, and comprehensive lesson instructions.
Begins 13 September
Building on the basics, Module 2 delves deeper into musical comprehension. Explore six engaging activities and songs that teach concepts like comparatives, skips vs. steps, and rhythm variations.
Detailed lesson instructions, teaching videos, and adaptable materials ensure seamless integration into your classroom.
Begins 20 September
Prepare to conduct your way through Module 3 as we explore conducting patterns, notes on the treble clef, and introduce new songs.
With five enriching activities, each accompanied by comprehensive resources, you'll be equipped to foster musical growth in your students.
Begins 27 September
Cap off your journey with Module 4, where we delve into advanced concepts like the pentatonic scale, inner hearing, and composition.
With six dynamic activities, including detailed instructions and teaching videos, you'll empower your students to explore the depths of musical expression.
PLUS RECEIVE ACCESS TO
Enjoy even more activities, teaching videos, and suggestions for hands-on manipulative activities never seen before!
This bonus dives into creative ways to use everyday items like paddle pop sticks, paper plates, counters on felt staves, frisbees, and even pool noodles to make music concepts hands-on and fun. These manipulatives help young learners experience rhythm, pitch, and beat in an interactive, memorable way.
In this bonus, you’ll discover a fresh set of music manipulatives—from sound-segmenting trays and rhythm blocks to beat bags, magnetic staves, and more. These tools bring rhythm and pitch to life, giving you simple, ready-to-use strategies for active, engaging lessons.
Your New Favourite Music Teaching Method!
Utilising hands-on manipulatives transforms abstract musical concepts into tangible experiences for young learners. Through interactive activities with balls, scarves, flashcards, puppets, and more, students engage multiple senses, reinforcing understanding and retention. From rhythm exploration to melody composition, manipulatives foster creativity, collaboration, and a lifelong love of music.
You'll also receive:
Because it's better learning with friends!
Enrolment in Marvellous Music Manipulatives grants you access to our vibrant Facebook group. Connect with fellow educators, share successes, seek advice, and discover additional resources to enrich your teaching journey.
Together, we'll inspire and support one another as we implement newfound strategies in the classroom.
Take a glimpse into the future!
By the conclusion of Marvellous Music Manipulatives, you can anticipate the following outcomes in your classroom:
"Marvellous Manipulatives Course is a must! It is an inspirational course with lots of creative and valuable hands on ideas to suit all music teachers of all levels. From beginners looking to enhance their teaching toolkit to the more experienced teachers who are seeking fresh ideas and inspiration to reignite their passion. My students have loved these exciting and hands on activities that I’ve added to my music program. They have been a wonderful tool to extend individuals as well as assist students with diverse needs."
"I loved this course. It was easily accessible with short bite sized videos and accompanying pdfs. Deb, Debbie and Alisen clearly explained and demonstrated how to use a range of manipulatives in activities from Prep to upper primary school to enhance the enjoyment of music for the students and the teacher alike! I recommend for anyone wishing to add some spice to their lessons, see their classrooms come alive, and give every child a tangible experience of music."
A: Absolutely! Marvellous Music Manipulatives caters to educators of all experience levels, providing comprehensive resources and guidance every step of the way.
A: The materials used in the course include handballs/high bounce balls, scarves, soft toys, felt staves, counters, paddle pop sticks and a few other items. You can complete the course without having any of these materials ready to go, in fact, it would be beneficial to begin the course before making any purchases. Watch the videos, read the course materials, and see if there are particular activities you wish to add to your program, and then purchase what you need. In some cases you may be able to call for donations of some items from your community.
A: People working with children aged 4 to 11 will find resource ideas and activities for use in the music classroom. If you care for children at home, or in day care, these activities are still highly relevant and useful.
A: You will have 1-year of access to the course videos and materials. I am hoping that it will be incredibly valuable to come back and revisit the videos to remind yourself of some songs, resources and ideas.
The Facebook group will close 2 weeks after the course is complete. It will still remain, however it will be inactive.
A: We'd love to help! Our dedicated team, led by experienced educators Debbie O'Shea, Deb Brydon, and Alisen McLeod, is committed to providing ongoing support and guidance throughout your Marvellous Music Manipulatives journey via our interactive Facebook group!
If you have specific questions we can answer, please email Debbie at: info@crescendo.com.au
Learn More About
DEBBIE O’SHEA is an enthusiastic and experienced music educator. Her qualifications include a Masters of Music Studies, a Graduate Diploma of Music Education, a Bachelor of Education, and the Holy Names Kodaly Summer Certificate (California - held in Brisbane). In 2020 Debbie earned national accreditation as a Highly Accomplished Teacher.
Debbie is passionate about supporting music educators through Crescendo Music Education. She has worked as a classroom teacher, primary music specialist, early childhood music teacher, curriculum writer, lecturer, workshop presenter, massed choir conductor and composer.
Debbie is currently a Kodály Queensland Committee Member, in an Honorary Life Member, and has the Kodály Philosophy in the heart of her teaching. She has had the honour of working with, Catholic Education, KMEIA Qld, Musica Viva in Schools, Music Count Us In, UQ and Griffith University.
Currently, she works as a Primary Music Specialist for the Department of Education Queensland.
Debbie lives North of Brisbane on Turbul Land with her husband and has two children, now lovely young men.
Deb Brydon is a primary music specialist who returned to music teaching after working as a Senior Project Writer with Education Queensland’s Curriculum into the Classroom project, writing for Music and The Arts. In 2020 she earned national accreditation as a Highly Accomplished Teacher.
She has taught primary school music for over 25 years in both Charters Towers and Brisbane. Deb has been an accredited do-re-mi teacher and has also taught Classroom Music at Griffith University.
She has been on the Kodály Qld committee for 19 years and was recently awarded Honorary Life Membership.
Deb has been the project co-ordinator for Kodály QLD’s DVD Projects including Musical Beginnings, Middle Years Music Education and Step Up With Music. She holds an Australian Kodály Certificate (Early Childhood) and is currently Vice-President of Kodály QLD.
She lives in Mugan-djin (Brisbane), on Yagara Country with her husband and 3 children.
Alisen McLeod has been a music specialist in primary schools for 21 years, teaching across Independent, Catholic and Government schools. Alisen has a strong interest in vocal pedagogy and she was on the board of the National Youth Choir of Australia for 6 years.
Alongside her teaching activities, Alisen directed a private singing studio for 14 years, teaching vocal, musicianship and choral classes to children 3 to 18 years. She has presented music education workshops both locally and interstate.
Alisen is the President of Kodály Queensland, an organisation that coordinates professional development and learning for music teachers across Queensland.