Teachers who incorporate Orff techniques into their teaching may wish to make use of some of the materials found in this selection. The Orff approach encompasses a variety of techniques developed by the late German composer Carl Orff and his followers. These techniques center on the child's natural speech rhythms, rhythmic movements, and chants. Orff believed that music should be treated as a natural extension of the child's own environment and of his or her own creative faculties. This collection includes several song settings. These are not simply performance pieces, but are also intended to be models for exploration of rhythm, melody, harmony, and timbre. The orchestrations should be altered to mirror the resources available and the abilities and interests of the students. The lessons given for these settings present teaching procedures that emphasize exploration and improvisation. Encourage your students to develop their own ideas based on the songs and settings provided.