REVIEWS
Dr. Miriam Factora’s collection of Filipino folk songs and rhymes has given us a solid foundation and a clearer direction in the Philippine Music Education. The adaptation of the Kodály Approach to the Philippine setting was made possible because of her collection. It was through the use of these songs and rhymes that both teachers and students were not just able to present and learn the concepts well, but they were also able to revisit and appreciate more the Filipino culture and traditions.
Roselle Elinore Matias
Music Teacher | Ateneo de Manila Grade School • Quezon City, Philippines
Dr. Miriam Factora’s collection of songs and rhymes is definitely a huge help in preparing and planning lessons. She created a massive songbook of Filipino materials and it opened doors for Filipino music teachers like me to revisit and gain more understanding of our own heritage, culture and traditions. We use the songs in our daily lessons and even in choir. Singing the folksongs also help students learn the language, unlocking words and dialects that are not familiar to them. Every song is like a visit to a town or province in our country which makes the singing experience more like an adventure, not only for the kids but also for the educators.
Venitta Magpantay
Music Teacher | Ateneo de Manila Grade School • Quezon City, Philippines
These books are real gems for music teachers. The games, rhymes, and song selections in these books are research-based, culture-based, and values-laden. From a broad perspective, these books served as a means to provide “quality education” and answered the problem of “lack of instructional materials” for Filipino music teachers. I have used these books among music education students and in the professional development programs of Filipino teachers around the country.
Dolores T. Andres, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Music Education | University of Santo Tomas, Conservatory of Music • Manila, Philippines
Associate Researcher, National Research Council of the Philippines
Ever since I discovered Dr. Factora’s works in the Kodály courses presented by the Kodály Society of the Philippines, her books—namely Philippine Children’s Songs, Spoken Rhymes and Games for Teaching Books One and Two—have been my references for songs coming from the Filipino culture. These books have remarkably helped me in my lesson planning. I use the rhymes and games for young learners and the more complex songs to teach more complex concepts to upper-grade students.
Raquel Ceradoy
Former Music Teacher | De La Salle Santiago Zobel School • Muntinlupa, Philippines
Music Teacher | St. Peter's College • Palmerston North, New Zealand
This book [Creative Music Teaching at the Elementary Level] is a perfect resource for an elementary music educator aiming to cultivate a vibrant, interactive classroom environment. It is packed with strategies and advice on how to make every music lesson meaningful, enjoyable, and full of learning. All the ideas presented in the book are inspired by the author’s expansive training and experience as a music educator. Therefore, all of them are worth trying!
The book also contains a glimpse of the Kodály and Orff approaches in the elementary classroom and explains why the author opted to use both methods in her classes. This is a thoughtful reflection from the author, as music educators are frequently faced with the crucial decision of which teaching method is most effective in the music classroom.
Lastly, the book contains the musical notations of all the featured folksongs and rhymes with their English translations, at the end. Some folksongs even come with an arrangement for Orff instruments!
It is definitely a book worth reading, especially for those looking to get off to a good start in elementary music teaching.
Cielito Margo E. Mirandilla
St. Scholastica’s College | Manila, Philippines
NOTE: Click on the title to read more about the workshop.
Dr. Factora is a creative, dynamic, and engaging presenter, who invites all educators to join her in preserving musical traditions for future generations. My favorite takeaway from today’s workshop was her crash course on how to introduce melodic question and answer in the music classroom. Thank you for providing a Zoom option as there are many reasons attendees may not be able to participate in – person. As a Zoom participant I felt acknowledged and engaged whenever possible.
Jar-el Garcia
Music Teacher | Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District • California, U.S.A.
Biggest takeaway: Examples of ways to connect with students in a meaningful and musical way through their different cultures/languages.
Wonderful presentation! I wish we could have stayed all day or all weekend. I love the joy you exude while teaching. Thank you for being here!
Renee Gehlbach
Elementary Music Teacher | Covina-Valley Unified School District
Associate Conductor | National Children’s Chorus • California, U.S.A.
I really appreciated that Miriam showed us songs recorded from the source, and that we were learning authentic songs that are now being used in the classroom. Miriam’s passion, excitement, and energy are so contagious and really help to spark a genuine fascination for Philippine musical culture. She is so great at showing teachers how to teach not just the songs but also the musical concepts that can be taught with the songs, and was very responsive when participants had questions to clarify how instructions could be given. I hope to keep being able to learn from Miriam as she has such contagious joy that she shares with others as she shares music. |
Joy Tang
K-2 Music Teacher | Bullis Charter Schools • Los Altos, California, U.S.A.