FIGURE 16.1 Advantages of using music in the classroom
o Embeds the learning faster, on a deeper level, like the "Alphabet Song"
o Provides relaxation after stress or disoouragement
o Collects and brings the whole group together
o Motivates the group to get up and get going
o Builds rapport and encourages bonding
o Energizes and brings new life to the group
o Appeals to the particular cultural values of the group
o Comforts the soul during painful times
o Lets students have fun when they need a change of mind-set
o Boosts achievement by activating the thinking portion of the brain
o Harmonizes situations when the group seems to be on edge
o Calms down hyper students
o Stimulates the right-brain hemisphere, activating more of the brain
o Increases attentiveness and concentration
o Stimulates and focuses creativity
o Takes some pressure off the teacher
o Creates sound curtains to isolate classes or groups from distracting noise
Music's Role in the Classroom
Kids relate to music. And most classrooms do not use music as an integral or emotional learning tool. The first thing most kids (and many adults) do when the get out of class. get in a car, or arrive home is listen to music to relax, energize, change moods, feel good. So, why don't schools incorporate it more? We decorate the walls visually; why not appeal to and utilize the other senses, such as audio and kinesthetic? To make your learning environment much more student friendly and build rapport with kids, enhance the learning process with music.
How to Use Music
No one needs to tell you your favorite songs. Here, we walk through some smart rules for using music. Many questioning techniques go through my head when I decide which music to play
What's ask/ac y that's coming up?
What's optimal emotional/physical reaction I need from students (eg y, focused, relaxed)?
Will students need to talk during the task? Use instrumental pieces during concentrated, quiet work and vocalized music for group work.
What are the primary cultures in my classroom?
what are the music and movies of my students' generation?
Which music selection will likely accomplish my task?
First and foremost all music has some sort of pace. When selecting music for the classroom, consider its tempo (ie beats per minute). The beat of the music affects both heart rate and breathing the two most important determiners of mood, feelings. and state. general, should be instrumental. Exceptions will include some popular music, but these may be reserved for breaks or special events outside of lecture time (e.g., birthdays, celebrations, a quick reward for a job well done
Learning to maximize the use of music in the classroom is an ongoing process. Match the specific music the teachable task. Prepare ahead of time so you're calmer in the moment when you use the music. Here is an example of types of music that you could use:
• baroquel classical (for seat work, discussion time)
• callbacks (classic songs for coming back to the classroom after recess, a fire drill, or lunch or just to start the day)
• classic R&B (for fun sing-along)
• classic rock (gets things done fast)
• closing good-bye (send them home with these)
• high-tempo vocals (current pop songs for activities with no talking needed)
• high-tempo instrumental (fast for movement)
• mellow New Age (to play in the background during seatwork)
• upbeat New Age (for focused, conversational work)
• oldies (for sing-alongs, and to get things done)
• slow instrumental (for stretching, to wake up the body)
• themes from TV shows (such as the Mission hmpossible theme for a challen- ging assignment or the Jeopardy theme for a student-organized quiz show
• world music (for transition, cultural studies)