Musically Aligned is committed to providing valuable instructional resources that improve academic stimulation and achievement through the use of music. Co-creators Kenny and Carolyn Hood combined their passions for music and learning to create Musically Aligned, a standards-based educational music production and resource company that aligns original songs and materials to state academic standards.
This venture sparked from a ‘what if’ conversation between a musician and an educator. One evening, while a recent brain-based research class was at the tip of her brain, the teacher asked the musician to share his expertise and create a song that she could use in her life science unit. After discussing the standards, big ideas, and key vocabulary, he went to work on an engaging and information-filled song about a food chain gang. It was so catchy that her students were on-task, took ownership of the content, and begged for more. What began as an experiment turned into a key classroom tool! Through personal experience, student engagement, and research they found instructional music strengthens and enhances learning.
The techniques were designed as tools to scaffold learning and support teacher instruction to meet high state standards and accountability assessments. Although Musically Aligned resources are specifically aligned to California State Standards, you will find that the content included connects to national and state standards implemented in classrooms across America. [view standards from across the nation]
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Carolyn, an experienced teacher, literacy coach, and professional development trainer since 1997, has spent most of her time teaching strategies for and working with socio-economically disadvantaged, inner-city K-6 students with diverse, multilingual backgrounds. Carolyn is currently a Master Trainer and curriculum developer for Learning Headquarters where she has successfully presented a standards-based writing system at numerous California and national conferences, and for thousands of teachers at schools and districts across the nation.
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Carolyn Hood
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As a life-long learner, Carolyn pursues professional growth through many avenues. In addition to a CLAD, Professional Clear Multiple Subject California Teaching Credential, Carolyn holds a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction, is a Fellow and Teacher Consultant for the San Diego Area Writing Project (SDAWP), and earned Middle Childhood Generalist National Board Certification (NBCT). She has been trained in Accelerated Literacy (AL), Guided Language Acquisition Design (GLAD), Robert Marzano’s What Works in Schools: Translating Research into Action, Marilyn Tabor’s Coaching for Excellence, and standards-based instruction at Douglas Reeves’ Center for Performance Assessment to name a few.
Since 2004, Carolyn has presented techniques to actively engage learners by incorporating standards-based music into the curriculum. She has provided training at schools, districts, and educational conferences in various states. California Association for Bilingual Educators (CABE), California Association of Gifted Educators (CAG), California Science Teachers Association (CSTA), California Teachers Association Good Teaching Conference (CTA-GTC), Science Teachers Association New York Schools (STANYS), Louisiana Science Teachers Association (LSTA), Science Education Council of Ohio (SECO), are a few highlighted conferences where Carolyn has presented for Musically Aligned.
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Kenny, an entrepreneurial thinker, uses innovative skills, visionary images, and business-savvy ideas in a number of capacities for Musically Aligned and other businesses. From song writing to engineering, mixing, and producing albums, from accounting to marketing, customer service to event coordination, and graphic design to web development, Kenny wears many hats. Prior to completing his Bachelor of Arts Degree, Kenny toured throughout the western United States as the bass player for Bulletproof Buddha.
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Kenny Hood
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During his time with the band, he shared a stage with bands such as P.O.D., CAKE, and Local H. Their songwriting and performance abilities were also highlighted on several live radio shows and the FOX television network. Kenny continues to record, play, and collaborate with himself and other musicians.
Since 2002, Kenny has been developing musical material implemented in classrooms all over the world. He has written and produced more than 5 educational albums, including over 80 standards-based science and classroom management songs. Kenny helped Musically Aligned earn a contract with the city of Laredo Environmental Services Department to create a preschool environmental education storybook and musical accompaniment in both English and Spanish.
Kenny’s musical drive and creativity are apparent in the projects he develops and records. He provides a funky, pop rock quirkiness that makes his songs enjoyable, relatable, and memorable for students and teachers alike.
[song snippets]
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In addition to their Musically Aligned endeavor, Kenny and Carolyn have also experienced the power of music and learning with their two boys. As active parents, they bring their classroom techniques, brain-based research, and musical application to everyday learning at home.
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