Looking at the Roots: A Guide to Understanding Orff Schulwerk

Wolfgang's book explores the guiding principles of Orff-Schulwerk and how they developed, reminding us to consider their source and depth of artistic vision to ensure a vibrant, dynamic, and alive practice.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 120 pages
Publication date: 01 November 2021
Publisher: Pentatonic Press

Wolfgang takes us on a captivating journey through the origins and evolution of Orff-Schulwerk, emphasizing its guiding principles and their relevance in contemporary practice. He believes that understanding these principles is crucial for educators to provide children with the kind of education they need and deserve.

Orff-Schulwerk, founded by Carl Orff and Gunild Keetman, is a music and movement education approach that emphasizes the integration of the arts and the development of children's cognitive, physical, and social skills. The principles of Orff-Schulwerk are based on the idea that music is a powerful tool for learning and that children can learn through active participation and creative expression.

One of the key principles of Orff-Schulwerk is the use of rhythmic and melodic instruments to create music. Children are encouraged to explore and experiment with different instruments, creating their own music and rhythms. This not only develops their musical skills but also their sense of rhythm, coordination, and collaboration.

Another important principle of Orff-Schulwerk is the use of movement to accompany music. Children are encouraged to move in response to the music, creating their own movements and choreography. This not only develops their physical skills but also their sense of movement, expression, and creativity.

Orff-Schulwerk also emphasizes the importance of the whole child in education. Children are encouraged to develop their cognitive, emotional, and social skills through music and movement. This approach helps children to build self-esteem, confidence, and resilience, as well as to develop their communication and collaboration skills.

In contemporary practice, many Orff-Schulwerk teachers are delighted by the ideas and material in workshops and are eager to try them out in their Monday classes. However, without a deep understanding of the principles of Orff-Schulwerk and the artistic vision behind it, there is a danger of mere surface teaching, lowering a once vibrant, dynamic, and alive practice down to mere fun and cute activities.

Wolfgang's book serves as a reminder to consider the essential pedagogical principles that will guide us to the kind of education that children—and artists of all ages—both need and deserve. By looking back down the path to understand where we have been, how we arrived where we are, and what the next step may be, we can continue to evolve and develop our practice, ensuring that it remains relevant and meaningful for future generations.

In conclusion, Orff-Schulwerk is a powerful and effective approach to education that emphasizes the integration of the arts and the development of children's cognitive, physical, and social skills. By understanding and applying the principles of Orff-Schulwerk, educators can provide children with the kind of education that they need and deserve, helping them to thrive and grow as individuals and as members of society.

Dimension: 228 x 6 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780977371297