You mentioned incorporating music into the curriculum, I was thinking of ways to use music to learn curriculum. That is a great way to learn. Songs about the states, history, alphabets, phonics, arithmetic, really help those things stick in a fun way. Some fun sources might be bands like Trout Fishing in America ("Six", "Wheels on a Big Rig"), They Might Be Giants had some good songs, and even the old Schoolhouse Rock videos.
Have them sing rounds, it's an effective way to pay attention to the music and leads to singing harmony.
