Biography Breaks

Session 5: Grades 4-6

In this session, we will describe biography breaks, and provide a rationale for using them in a music classroom. We will also share guidelines for selecting ideal picture book biographies for biography breaks, explain how biography breaks address the National Arts Standards, provide examples of outstanding picture book biographies that can be used in the music classroom, and share several lesson plans integrating music and biography breaks.

Brittany May

Brittany May received her Bachelor's Degree and Ph.D in Music Education from the University of Utah, and her Master's Degree in Music Education from Boston University. Dr. May has taught elementary and middle school music in New York and Washington D.C. While working on her Ph.D., Brittany was the Beverly T. Sorenson Endowed Teacher Assistant for Elementary Music Education at the University of Utah and is currently an Assistant professor of Music Education at Brigham Young University.

Terrell A. Young

Terrell A. Young is professor of education, with an emphasis in children’s literature at the David O. McKay School of Education at Brigham Young University. Young is a coauthor and editor of a number of books. He previously taught in public elementary schools in Utah and Wyoming, and private elementary schools in Venezuela. Terry has enjoyed serving on numerous award committees, and has authored numerous publications.

Amy Miner

Amy Miner taught elementary school in Jordan School District before going on to receive her Masters degree in children’s literature at BYU and her PhD in curriculum instruction from Utah State University. For over 20 years, Dr. Miner has been an advocate for arts integration. As a current faculty member at Brigham Young University, Dr. Miner’s research and teaching reflects her deep passion for the arts, literacy, and integration.