In order for guided music reading to be successful in the elementary music classroom, lessons must be carefully sequenced. Students should only encounter one new element at a time and students must be “prepared” and ready for the element to be presented.
The Kodály method provides a sound structure with three essential elements – Prepare, Present, and Practice. During the preparation phase, students are introduced to musical concepts aurally first. Moving, singing, chanting, games, and developing repertoire all play an important role in the preparation phase. The present phase is when the musical element is named and introduced in standard notation. The practice phase, of course, is the longest phase.