Testimonials and Letters of Appreciation for Songs For Social Studies

Steve, I am writing to endorse your latest revision of Songs for Social Studies. I have reviewed the content and the activities included and am most excited and impressed.

Your work represents another strategy to provide appropriate instruction to the differing learning styles of students. The scope of the work is appropriate for students in grades 5-8. The rigor of the activities also provides the hook to get students involved and interested in social studies with a focus on American History. I have shared Songs For Social Studies with my teachers for their comments and have shared it with the Middle States Council for Social Studies (MSCSS). MSCSS would like to extend to you the opportunity to share your work with a broader audience at our next conference in Gettysburg.

Songs for Social Studies is one of the most imaginative and fun ways we’ve found to learn archeology, exploration, geography and history. Parents will appreciate the music CD for its educational and entertainment value while driving to after-school sports and activities. Kids like the catchy, easy-to-sing-along tunes and the lyrics that bring the stories to life. The crossword and word finder puzzles are creative tools for learning that support the lively music.

What a creative way to bring teaching of archeology, exploration, geography and history to life! The Songs for Social Studies music CD has stimulated some terrific conversations with my kids about the world around us.

Sing-alongs, brain games, crossword puzzles and karaoke tunes .... Songs for Social Studies has the whole kit-and–caboodle! Our thanks to Stephen MacDonald for making our road trip to Virginia a whole lot of fun––and educational, too. We printed out the puzzles before the trip which provided the kids with creative games that also reinforced what they learned from the Songs.

I really enjoyed the songs on Songs for Social Studies. They were quick to learn and reviewed for me social studies terminology. The word searches, crossword puzzles, fill-ins and fact sheets again reinforced the general facts. This set can be used as an introduction to many units of early American history and geography or as a review of pertinent facts.

I finally tried out the curriculum after listening to the Songs a number of times. It probably worked out just as well because then I was familiar with the songs and could hear the tune when I read the lyrics. It is great curriculum package that combines catchy tunes with a lot of info and basically helps kids to remember the facts in an enjoyable way.

I liked that the package has the lyrics with the option of playing the song at the same time. The word search, crossword and even the quiz are a great way of reinforcing what they have learned. And, after listening to the music a few times, the quiz is not difficult because the songs just run through your head and provide the answers! I imagine that many social studies tests will have kids humming quietly as they get to the right part of the song to answer the questions!!

The songs are fun and easy to remember. I caught myself singing about French explorers while waiting in line at the bank!! I am not sure I EVER knew anything about French explorers. I have given a CD to my son's Special Education teacher as I think that they will all really enjoy it and learn a lot.

I am writing this letter on behalf of Stephen MacDonald. Last fall, while reading the current issue of Newsline, the Massachusetts Council for Social Studies newsletter, I came across and advertisement for a new curriculum product called Songs for Social Studies. It is then that I began a professional relationship with Stephen MacDonald, the composer and author of this product.

Stephen is a talented, enthusiastic professional who has a keen understanding for the material students need to develop a working knowledge of social studies. In addition, his expertise has resulted in a unique and valuable product for both students and educators.

I am currently an instructor and course mentor for Integrating Social Studies into the Elementary Classroom, a course take by both graduate and undergraduate students at Lesley University in Cambridge. On several occasions, Stephen has visited my classes to present his wonderful social studies product to future elementary school teachers. Using sample lessons from Songs for Social Studies he has demonstrated how history, civics, and geography can be taught in a creative, engaging way. Students responded quite well to this alternative to standard instructional delivery. They also participated in a valuable discussion led by Stephen about incorporating the arts into teaching social studies.

I would highly recommend Stephen MacDonald and Songs for Social Studies for students of all ages.

Stephen MacDonald brought 150 store managers to their feet – clapping, shouting and dancing in a show of true unity and excitement. It all began with the beautiful singing of children, who raised their voices under Stephen’s guidance and reminded us of the power of our charitable Compassion Fund. By the time our corporate officers rocked the stage with an original song of Stephen’s composing, our annual convention at the Charles Hotel in Cambridge, MA, was already a success.

With music and songs for teaching as his tool, Stephen was able to inspire individual self-expression and solidarity at one of our most important events. I highly recommend Stephen MacDonald for any corporate function that would benefit from the unique team spirit provided by such a lively teacher and performer.

I had the opportunity to utilize the “Songs for Social Studies” program with my 5th grade music class. I was very impressed with the ease at which I was able to follow the guidelines and keep all students on task. I was most impressed with the topic appropriate melodies combined with the important historical facts. These created a power mnemonic for the students as they were asked to answer questions at the end of the class. I suspect that increased exposure to the music will establish long term retention.

Wow! Now I know. If you want to grab your students’ attention, do it with music. Stephen MacDonald’s “Songs for Social Studies” was not only perfectly connected to our curriculum, it was fun and upbeat. Students quickly learned every word and couldn't help themselves from singing along. Applying their knowledge to the accompanying lesson plans was much easier with the words and music still playing in their minds. It’s a fabulous resource for teaching by introducing a unit, reviewing for a test, or as a supplement to any unit. What a great way to add a little enthusiasm to your Social Studies!