Co-Author Your Own Counting Method
An option of the "Rhythm Masters" program is to allow band directors to "co-author" their own counting curriculum or method. After checking out the "Rhythm Masters" web site, contact me, or using the order form, request a master book and a set of blank "theory" and "Say" sheets. Refer to the master book to see what changes you wish to make to modify "Rhythm Masters" to use your counting system. You may eliminate entire pages if you feel you do not need them, but remember, it will result in some page numbers being passed over. I cannot stress enough the importance of the "Say" sheets to firmly establish the "phonics" to "whole language" transition at each level. It is your call if you wish to eliminate them though. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions on why I used any particular approach or materials in Book I or II, and how they may apply to your own counting system.
When you have edited the blank pages as you wish, return the corrections, along with a completed order form. Please indicate on the order form if you wish the title page to be set up as co-authored, and how you want your name to appear. Also, list any pages on the order form you want eliminated, so I do not mistakenly put them back into your set of books. As you edit your pages, feel free to white out any text you do not need, and add any text you wish. One method might be to type and print it out your changes on your computer, cut them out, and tape or glue them to your edited pages. You may also indicate whether you want the books "unbound" if you wish to bind them on your own. In this way, you can make as many additional copies of each book whenever you need them. "Rhythm Masters" books I & II is a comprehensive rhythm curriculum that will cover everything from day one to grade six level rhythms. See "Quest For The Rhythm Master" at the end of Book I or II for an overview of how the rhythm vocabulary is broken down by chapter.
The co-author option is designed for music educators that may be being evaluated at their district level, using "goals based" or some other professional assessment tool. You can list a rhythm reading curriculum and performance assessment tools specifically designed for your students as one of your goals. Then all you have to do is make your principal or evaluator a copy of one of the book(s). If you feel the cumulative approach (or just the infra-structure) is a benefit to your students, please encourage other band directors to visit my web site and check it out. Finally, if you are aware of any additional educational sites that you feel the sharing of the "Rhythm Masters" is appropriate, please let me know.