Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.
Worship the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs. Psalm 100
Joyful Songs Blog: A resource bank of music lesson plans, units, ideas, and materials that I have used for over 20 years of teaching music to my children, music classes, private students, choirs and instrumental ensembles.
**Special Announcement!** I recently found out that one of my unit studies,Lewis & Clark Expedition, has been nominated for the "2009 Giant Squid Awards" at Squidoo.com!!! This was a giant shock to me and I am very humbled that anyone would want to nominate a unit of mine. If you have used or enjoyed any of my units, would you please consider voting for this unit? Information on how to vote is on the above link. Thank you so much for everyone who has supported me in the past and now! 
Joyful Songs Lensography ~ My online home at Squidoo with links to about every unit I've written.
Joyful Songs Resources ~ listings of books, instruments, and supplies that I recommend for my students of Joy Music.
JOY Christian School ~ Our homeschool blog with units and lesson plans from subjects we've studied.
The Nutcracker Ballet & Tchaikovsky
This is the newly updated 2009 version with more books and resources!
Lapbook Materials - For the entire Unit Study
Lesson Plans - Introduction Page
Lesson Plans - Overture of the Ballet
Lesson Plans - March
Lesson Plans - Dance of the Sugarplum Fairy
Lesson Plans - The Russian Dance (Trepek)
Music Theory:
Reading Music ~ Links to music theory websites, flashcards, lessons, musical online trainers (really cool!), worksheets, books, and more.
Instruments:
Orchestra Unit ~ a mixture of instruments and resources.
Brass Instrument Family ~ Lapbook Unit Study ~ The mini books are here, but the lesson plans and extra materials are located at Squidoo (link is on the page).
Keyboard Instrument Family - Lapbook Unit Study (in the works)
Percussion Instrument Family - Lapbook Unit Study
String Instrument Family ~ Lapbook Unit Study ~ Check out pictures here from my friend Tijuana!
Woodwind Instrument Family ~ Lapbook Unit Study
The Flute - lessons and tips about the flute and playing it.
The Clarinet - lessons and tips about the clarinet and playing it.
Keyboard Instruments - a review about keyboard instruments and their accessories.
Music Education Resources & Links:
Music Flashcards & Clip Art ~ where to find them.
Music - Literature Unit Studies ~ A listing of complete units, lessons, and lapbook materials related to music from Homeschool Share.
Making Music Fun ~ Great place for lessons and materials of all sorts!
Thomas J. West Music ~ Many great articles and tips on practicing and playing your instrument. One of those "small world" moments ~ the first day I was on twitter I started to search 'music education' to connect with other musicians. The first great one that I came across was Mr. West. It happens that out of the whole WWW, he and I live in the same hometown! Cool!
Musician Humor ~ Jokes and funny musician stories of all kinds may be found!
Awesome Learning Games ~ These gamesites for any subject allow you to create your own games for your students for online playing and review. (Whoops ~ don't tell them they are studying!)
Music History:
Composers:
Jonathan Cain ~ One of my favorite modern composers and pianists from the band Journey!
Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus ~ A lapbook unit about his life and music ~ contains activities related other subject areas.
Saint - Saen, Camille ~ Lesson plan on "The Elephant" from The Carnival of the Animals
Tchaikovsky, Peter Ilyich ~ A large unit on musical pieces from The Nutcracker. (This is the old version which will deleted once the new one is completed.)
Tchaikovsky, Peter Ilyich ~ Part 2 of The Nutcracker Unit.
Tchaikovsky, Peter Ilyich ~ Part 3 of The Nutcracker Unit.
Christmas Unit Study
Christmas Unit Study 1 ~ Science
Christmas Unit Study 2 ~ Social Studies
Christmas Unit Study 3 ~ Language Arts
Christmas Unit Study 4 ~ Bible!!
Christmas Unit Study 5 ~ Christmas Crafts & Gifts for Children
Christmas Fine Art Unit ~ A nativity advent calendar to guide in studying Renaissance painters and art!
Christmas Unit Study 6 ~ Mathematics
"A Christmas Carol" Unit Study ~ Based on the classic literature of Charles Dickens, this unit study has lessons for almost every subject.
Christmas Literature by Illustrator - Author Jan Brett ~ Lesson plans and materials.
The Nutcracker & Peter Tchaikovsky Unit
"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love you rneighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." Matthew 22:36 - 40
Piccolo - Creative Commons Photo - Copyright © 2009 - All rights reserved.
The Nutcracker Ballet & Tchaikovsky Unit Study
This new 2009 Version contains more lapbook materials and resources!
Nutcracker Introduction Lesson Plan
Overture of the Nutcracker Lesson Plans
The Nutcracker Ballet Unit has been added to the Online Christmas Party 2009 sponsored by Lilliput Station. Thank you for visiting! Check it out to find wonderful holiday ideas and resources! List some of your materials to enter the contests! (Great prizes from Lilliput Station, Notebooking Pages, CurrClick, Notebooking Nook, Koumi Books, Fruitful Vine, and more!)
Hello ~ I wanted to recommend the following site for music education advice!
Thomas J. West Music ~ he has some great ideas for students of many levels regarding playing and practicing. Very helpful articles!
Best Keyboard Instruments - a review and information about Yamaha keyboard instruments!
