Music

Chapter 12 Core Questions

Why should music be integrated into science, social studies, math, and ELA?

Music is valuable to learning for many reasons. Music is a part of everyday life and students are familiar and comfortable with it; so when integrating it into other subjects it makes even difficult concepts friendly and inviting. It also helps with memory and keeps students focused. Music can give students the ability to engage in learning using multiple intelligence. Music can also be used to understand the culture and history in social studies. In science music can help teach measuring and patterns, just to start; not to mention all the songs about science! Counting and fractions can be reinforced with songs and music in math. 

What do teachers need to know to meaningfully integrate music?

 Teachers need to understand every facet of music to truly integrate it into their teaching. They need to understand the terms used in music and the elements used to create it. Teachers need to understand the different forms, styles, and genres of music. In other words, teachers need to know everything about music, they need to be music experts!

How can classroom teachers collaborate with arts specialists and musical artists to plan and implement music integration?

Teachers can reach out to local artists and music teachers to come into the classroom and help create lessons and activities with students that are meaningful and exciting. By bringing live music to the students and giving them the ability to interact with the pieces and instruments involved in making music.

Research Update

I do agree with the power of music and learning. I have been a preschool teacher for the better part of 8 years and I have seen how well children can learn with the aid of music. As we saw in the video Teaching Music, music can make a huge difference in children's ability to see and understand complicated subjects as well as increase self-esteem.

Resources 

Lesson planning: EducationCloset

Game and/or activity based (or app): Online Music Games

What I really liked about this site was that it collected the different online games into grade groups. I also really liked that all the games were fun and easy to use. I could see myself using these games as extended learning opportunities for my students.
Professional music site with an education department (such as SFS Kids - but do not use this one specifically): DSO Kids

YouTube/Video: Quaver's Marvelous World of Music

Seed Strategies (Chapter 13)

I really enjoy the idea of Energizers and Warm Ups. Music is a way I help my students transition from one activity to the next. They are also natural ways of engaging with students and giving them brain breaks that they need to continue. I hope to use Energizers and Warm Ups to get my students read for new and exciting challenges in the classroom and help them shake out those outside world worries so they are ready to learn in the classroom.