Josepha and Rebecca got their book proposal in. It was harder than expected. We were writing about dynamics, a small and manageable-seeming part of the big topic of music theory.

Except that it wasn't. Sometimes it didn't even seem as though it was part of music theory at all. It seemed as though decisions about dynamics were all part of music practice -- musicianship, artistry, expression, stuff like that.

It seemed extremely imprecise, too.

One morning recently I was singing "Come Sunday" in church. This seems to me to be a song that is all about dynamics. I ran through it in the sanctuary for the sound guys and it seemed fine. Then the saxophone came in, and we ran through it together. Of course, I adjusted my dynamics. Then the sound guy came down.

"I never thought I'd say this to you," he said, "but you need a microphone."

So I got plugged in and we ran through it again, and I adjusted my dynamics again.

How can you put all that onto paper?

Josepha had an email from someone who had visited her site and heard her sing, asking her to sing at a wedding. Unfortunately, Josepha was on tour in Italy!

Well, that wasn't unfortunate. The unfortunate part was that, two weeks later when she returned and responded to the email, it was too late.

I guess the moral is: you have to keep up with your web site.

Aside from that, Josepha has just had friends admiring her website. The designer, however, has gotten some business from it.

We'll keep you posted on the continuing results.

July is a big month in pop music history. It was in July that Billboard started keeping track of which songs were national hits, in July that the first rock album was released (by Bill Haley and the Comets), and in July that the Rolling Stones played their first public performance. It was also in July that Bob Dylan was booed for playing an electric guitar on stage for the first time, but that probably doesn't count.

Why not have a rock music theme for your classroom? Whether it's summer school, Sunday School, or you're getting a jump on next year, you'll find it's a lively theme.

The Carson-Dellosa jukebox is the only choice for a ready-made bulletin board. It's convertible -- with the face and arms it has a goofy friendliness, but you can leave it un-anthropomorphised for a slightly more serious effect. The CD cutouts are also available in packages for use in word walls, desk or cubby labels, and centers.

The "Books Rock" banner can set the tone for your reading corner, and the slogan works for your bulletin board or door, too: "School Rocks!" "Mr/s X's Class Rocks!" "Math Rocks!"

Ask around or search your own attic or garage, and you can probably find some old rock concert posters to decorate the walls. Some teachers like to go with a '50s or '60s look for rock music themes, but you can let this choice be dictated by how much vintage stuff you can find by scrounging around in your friends' or your parents' storage areas. After all, rock music has been around for over half a century, so there's no need to limit yourself to one rock era.

Borders, stickers, die cuts, and so on with musical notes and musical instruments are readily available to round out the look.

Here are some online resources:

Download Print Shop files to make student photos into "American Idol" posters. Check out the giant keyboard bulletin board at this teacher's site, too.

The Rock and Roll Library has an impressive collection of lesson plans using rock music across the curriculum.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has a collection , too. Check out one on 20th century rock and social protest.