1) Focuses specifically on middle-schoolers 2) Offers a framework and structure for a Methods course, which places the student at the center rather than the musical genre or philosophy, precisely fitting with current thinking about teaching in music education 3) Features an integrated approach to research, not relying on any one philosophy and practical classroom applications 4) Includes practical applications in the form of lesson sequences, absent from the few books focused on middle-school education

1) Focuses specifically on middle-schoolers 2) Offers a framework and structure for a Methods course, which places the student at the center rather than the musical genre or philosophy, precisely fitting with current thinking about teaching in music education 3) Features an integrated approach to research, not relying on any one philosophy and practical classroom applications 4) Includes practical applications in the form of lesson sequences, absent from the few books focused on middle-school education