Music in the Classroom
MUSIC! Everywhere I went throughout the last week I heard music! I heard teachers using "classic" a.k.a. "the kids don't know these songs from my time period" songs. I heard teachers incorporating their key words and vocabulary into lyrics to make it meaningful for students. I saw teachers finding resources online that incorporated music and song to help students learn content. I heard teachers playing popular music on their speakers as they welcomed students into their classrooms. I heard teachers using music in tandem with a bellringer or timer. I saw teachers turn the music up, or ease it on down to indicate to students that they are transitioning. I heard oldies, I heard pop, I heard rap, and I heard some classics.
Most importantly of all, I saw students smiling, dancing, and engaging with their classmates and teachers around lyrics or a great beat! My favorite was when a student said "Who are the Beatles?" and the teacher said, I'll be sure to play them tomorrow so you can experience it.
The feeling, the climate, the culture in these classrooms, was welcoming. I WANTED to be in that class, and I didn't even have to be. What a great way to welcome students, and get yourself pumped up to teach, or calmed down between classes. What a fabulous way to help manage transitions in your classroom. Not only can you use music and song to engage students and help them learn content, but what else does it make you feel? What does it make you remember? How does it help you connect?
Comment below to share how you use music in the classroom, or ways you might try using it. Do you have a favorite radio station or youtube link that is school appropriate?
Most importantly of all, I saw students smiling, dancing, and engaging with their classmates and teachers around lyrics or a great beat! My favorite was when a student said "Who are the Beatles?" and the teacher said, I'll be sure to play them tomorrow so you can experience it.
The feeling, the climate, the culture in these classrooms, was welcoming. I WANTED to be in that class, and I didn't even have to be. What a great way to welcome students, and get yourself pumped up to teach, or calmed down between classes. What a fabulous way to help manage transitions in your classroom. Not only can you use music and song to engage students and help them learn content, but what else does it make you feel? What does it make you remember? How does it help you connect?
- Check out these articles highlighting HOW to use music in the classroom:
- Check out this article for reasons WHY students should be IN music - talk to your music teacher(s):
Comment below to share how you use music in the classroom, or ways you might try using it. Do you have a favorite radio station or youtube link that is school appropriate?