Linking Up!

Using Music, Movement and Language Arts to Promote
Caring, Cooperation, and Communication.

By Sarah Pirtle, Educators for Social Responsibility, 1998
Review by Tracey L. Hurd, Ph.D.
Lifespan Faith Development, UUA
Boston, MA

“Singing together is one of our sources of nourishment. Simply put, music is a direct way to show love.”
–Sarah Pirtle

Sarah Pirtle believes that music can be the connecting thread between peaceable learning environments for young children. In Linking Up! she welcomes all of us who work with young children – singers and non-singers alike – into the fold of music and connection. Pirtle weaves a philosophy of being “held” compassionately together in a shared community that we in our faith might call a “beloved community.” This resource is both a pragmatic guide to the use of music with young children and a how-to model of peaceable practice.

Pirtle offers forty-six appropriate, easy-to-learn songs that can be integrated into any Unitarian Universalist religious education program for young children. Music, lyrics, and instructions for movement are provided for all songs. A CD comes with the book, providing “sing-along” instruction. Permission to copy the materials for use with children is offered. Each song, many in both English and Spanish, has its own chapter complete with activities and discussion starters. The book is arranged thematically around the songs.

Part One: Songs for Circle Time

Starting Songs: Gathering the Group
Friendship Songs

Part Two: Songs for Social Skills Curriculum

Appreciating Diversity
Conflict Resolution Songs

Part Three: Songs for Movement Games

Nature Exploration Songs
Collaboration Songs
Linking Up Songs

Most of the songs are original. I particularly like, “Speak Up,” a song the urges us to seek our truths and speak our minds, as well as “Two Hands Hold the Earth/ Mis Dos Manos,” a song that recognizes the interdependent web of life on our planet. Although this resource was not specifically created for Unitarian Universalist environments, links between the songs and our UU Principles are self-evident. The forty-six chapters built around the songs can be used to provide supplementary materials for other curricula. In particular, this resource could be used to support two UUA programs: Rainbow Children: A Racial Justice Diversity Program for Ages 5 to 8 and In Our Hands: A Peace and Social Justice Program for Grades 1-3.

Pirtle offers a way to create a full music- and peace-centered curriculum for young children, through lessons structured through a sequence of songs. Fourteen lesson-based “song sequences” are suggested, with lesson titles such as “Unity and Inclusion,” “Empathy and Community,” “Solving Problems,” and “Exploring Peace.” Each lesson contains five songs that serve five functions: to unify, anchor in the present, build a skill, expand their involvement, and end time together. These wonderful lessons could be further enriched by added and explicit reference to UU Principles.

In addition to the programmatic uses for this resource, Linking Up offers guidance for working with children in a way that nurtures social responsibility and peace. Steps developed by Educators for Social Responsibility for teaching children to express feelings and solve social problems are outlined in this book. Ways to reframe “misbehaviors” and direct all children’s energies towards mutual empowerment are well described. Snapshots of lived experiences make the plans accessible.

Pirtle writes with a reassuring and inspiring tone. Her messages are simple. Follow me! Peace is possible. Singing is for everyone. We’re linked together.

Available from Educators for Social Responsibility www.esrnational.org , phone: 800-370-2515.