Josepha and Rebecca are doing an audition for Head First books for a book on music theory. We're planning to do 10 pages that absolutely completely teaches the scoop on dynamics, from ppp to fff.

Feel free to give us advice!

Rhythm Lesson Plans Recognizing and practicing with rhythms is an important pre-reading skill, and it can be both calming and energizing -- something you'll appreciate if you're still in school at this point in the year!

How can you teach about rhythm if you're not a musician? Here are some easy ideas using books, recorded music (your computer will do this part just fine), and simple rhythm instruments.

Every elementary classroom ought to have some rhythm instruments. You can buy a little rhythm band set, or follow the link below to make your own. However, you can always use clapping, stomping, or knee-patting, so don't let a lack of instruments deter you from exploring rhythm in your classroom.

Here are easy ways to bring rhythm into your lessons:

Clap along to rhythms in music or in stories. For example, when you read or tell "Chicken Little," have the whole class clap along to the rhythmic recitation of "The sky is falling! The sky is falling! and we must tell the king!" every time it comes up. Do the same with the giant's rhyme in "Jack and the Beanstalk" and similar opportunities. Use a call and response pattern to practice rhythms. Clap out a rhythm and have students clap it back to you. Start with simple rhythms (1,2,3,4) and work up to more complex ones (1 and a 2, rest, 4). Once the class has the concept, have students take turns being the leader. Play or sing familiar songs and clap, tap feet, or pat knees to the beat. Work up to unfamiliar ones.
Here are some fun online resources on the subject:

Once you and your web designer have created a terrific website for you, you may think you can just sit back and wait for clients to call

No such luck.

Go type your name into Google. We'll wait.

Did your website show up? Probably not. The website will be invisible until you submit it to the directories. Google, Yahoo, and MSN are the big ones. DMOZ is another useful one. Click on the links below to submit your site. Be sure to read all the directions carefully.

Yahoo!: http://search.yahoo.com/info/submit.html
Google: http://www.google.com/addurl/
MSN: http://search.msn.com.sg/docs/submit.aspx
DMOZ: http://www.dmoz.org/

Once you've done the major directories, choose the smaller, more specific directories that your clients will be looking in. These would include directories for your specific area of instruction, and also your geographical area. Josepha went to directories for singers, singing teachers, and for musicians in the Kansas City area, since that's where she is.

How do you find these directories? You probably use some of them yourself already. You can find more by going to your favorite search engine and typing in "music directory add site" or "singing teacher suggest site" or similar phrases.

Josepha had an SEO professional do this for her, and was #1 on Google within a day and a half. Your results will depend on how good you are and how well your page is designed. Here's where it can be worth paying for some services up front. On the other hand, you can definitely do these things yourself if you have more time than money.