On episode 287 of The Elementary Music Teacher Podcast featuring my guest Tiffany English, we talk about teaching music with the Orff approach– a pedagogical method to music education. This method emphasizes the importance of allowing students to develop their understanding of music at their own pace and in their own unique way.
Orff Schulwerk, often simply referred to as the “Orff Approach,” is a developmental approach used in music education. It combines music, movement, drama, and speech into lessons that are similar to a child’s world of play. Named after its creator, Carl Orff, a German composer and educator, the approach fosters creativity and encourages musical improvisation and exploration. Its unique integration of different art forms and emphasis on active and experiential learning make it a popular and effective method in music education around the world. In this blog post, we will explore the key topics from the episode, providing you with a deeper understanding and practical strategies to implement the Orff Schulwerk approach in your own music classroom.
Conceptual Thinking Over Activity-Based Teaching
Instead of focusing primarily on what specific activities students will undertake during a lesson, while teaching music with the Orff approach, it’s crucial to direct your attention towards what students will gain from these activities. This suggests a more expansive, conceptual way of thinking that allows for greater flexibility and creativity in lesson planning. By avoiding the trap of rigid time-frames for activities, you open up space for more dynamic and responsive teaching. The goal here should always be the learning outcomes – what knowledge and skills do you want your students to acquire? This should be the guiding principle of your teaching, informing every decision you make.
Harness the Power of Exploration and Imitation
While teaching with the Orff approach, exploration and imitation are fundamental components of every lesson. They serve as stepping stones, paving the way for students to access and understand more complex musical concepts.
Exploration is an open-ended process, taking on numerous forms, from warming up to playing with a puppet, and it’s designed to engage students’ minds and spark curiosity about what’s coming next in the lesson. Similarly, imitation plays a vital role in the learning process. It’s often a necessary step for students to grasp the structure of what they’re learning. Before they can improvise or create their own music, they need to understand the foundational elements, which is where imitation comes in.
Encourage Improvisation and Composition
Improvisation is a key element of teaching with the Orff approach and should be a frequent component of your lessons. While composition is a high-level skill that might not feature in every lesson, improvisation provides students with an opportunity to create and contribute to the music. Whether they are improvising movements or body percussion patterns, students get the chance to put their stamp on the music. Even if it’s just a simple four-beat pattern, this involvement in the creation process is invaluable. It not only fosters a sense of ownership and engagement in their learning, but it also encourages creativity and boosts confidence.
The Backwards Design Approach
Backwards design is an educational strategy that aligns well with the Orff Schulwerk approach. This strategy is all about starting with the end goal in mind.
What do you want your students to have achieved by the end of the lesson? Once you have a clear picture of this, you can then work backwards to figure out the best route to get there. This approach can streamline your lesson planning process and ensure that you’re using the components of the Orff Schulwerk paradigm to their fullest potential. It encourages efficiency and purposefulness in lesson planning and ensures that every activity is aligned with your overall learning objectives.
Fostering Connections with Other Educators
Finally, the importance of a supportive professional community cannot be overstated. Our guest, Tiffany, highly recommends getting involved in professional organizations like the American Orff Schulwerk Association (AOSA). These organizations offer a treasure trove of resources, professional development opportunities, and a network of fellow music teachers who can provide advice, encouragement, and inspiration.
Whether you’re a novice to the Orff Schulwerk approach or a seasoned veteran, there’s always more to learn, more to share, and more ways to grow as an educator. Embrace this continuous journey of professional growth and development, and your teaching will undoubtedly benefit.
How do you use the Orff approach in your music classroom? Tell me about it in the comments below or share your thoughts on social media as you share this post. I’d love for you to share this post or any of the resources on my website with a friend or colleague who you know NEEDS to see it too.
P.S. Are you feeling frustrated or stuck as an elementary music teacher? Check out these free resources to help you teach elementary music with confidence!
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