Ever get into a “rut” by only focusing on the literacy portion of your Conversational Solfege lessons? In this session, we will share various “doing” activities that not only focus on the joy of “musicing” but will also give you bang for your buck by also targeting your future literacy objectives. We will share tried and true activities that have been successful in our classes that also prepare your students for later units in Conversational Solfege. Bring your voices, recording devices and dancing shoes – this will be a participatory session.

Participants will leave with: 1. suggestions on creating a multi-year plan that highlights future literacy objectives; this multi-year plan will help students make connections and transition from First Steps in Music to Conversational Solfege 2. a varied list of activities from multiple sources that focus on the joy of “musicing” as well as future literacy objectives 3. a clear understanding of lesson plan design using the Conversational Solfege philosophy

Chris Anne Powers has been an elementary music specialist for 23 years. She currently teaches K-5 Core Music, Band & Chorus at Cos Cob School in Greenwich, Connecticut. Chris received her undergraduate degree in Music Education from The Hartt School, where she had the good fortune of studying with Dr. John Feierabend. She holds a Master’s Degree in Education from Sacred Heart University and received her Kodaly Certificate from The Hartt School. Given her strong commitment to the Feierabend approach, she was a driving force in the adoption of the First Steps In Music For Preschool & Beyond and Conversational Solfege materials as the literacy portion of the Greenwich Public Schools Music Curriculum. Chris created and presented professional development workshops based on the Feierabend approach to facilitate the implementation of the curriculum. Chris is a Founding Member of FAME and she is an Endorsed Teacher Trainer for First Steps in Music and Conversational Solfege. She is also the Vice President of the FAME organization, and is the Co-Chair of the Teacher Trainer Committee. She lives a music-filled life in Cos Cob with her husband Jed and their boys – Jay and Tommy.

Robin Chenot has been an elementary music essentialist in the Greenwich Public Schools since 1999. She currently teaches K-5 Core Music and Chorus at North Mianus School and serves as a network liason for the district. Robin received her undergraduate degree from the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam and received her Masters in Music Education at the Hartt School of Music. During her time at Hartt, Robin obtained her Kodaly Certificate and received training in First Steps In Music For Pre-School And Beyond and both levels of Conversational Solfege from Dr. Feierabend. Most recently, Robin was part of the team that developed the new Greenwich Public Schools music curriculum, which adopted the First Steps and Conversational Solfege methods. She also played an integral part in the development of the district rubrics that complement the curriculum. Robin is the proud mom of three young boys Luke, Michael and Nicholas.