Music in the Classroom (for Non-Music Teachers)

We all know how music can affect the way we feel. Subconsciously, we play music to uplift our mood, dance, or help us relax. Music can invoke powerful memories and help “set the scene” for our life experiences. Research supports the concept that – “Music can greatly enhance our learning and living.”

Why is it that teachers use music in their personal lives but fail to realize the importance it can have in the classroom?

The intentional use of music in the classroom can set the scene for learning and also make it more fun and interesting.

My suggestion for you to get started is to incorporate one technique that makes you say, “I can do that!” The enthusiasm and response from your students will be a guideline and incentive to try more.

Side effects of using music:

As you begin to use music, you may find that students want to share parts of their life triggered by the music. When this happens, notice and celebrate the connections to real life experiences. Expect and enjoy the miracles that will occur!

Reasons to use music for learning:

ü      Music establishes a positive learning state.

ü      Music creates a desired atmosphere.

ü      Music can help build a sense of anticipation.

ü      Music can add energy to activities.

ü      Music can change brain wave states.

ü      Music can help focus concentration.

ü      Music can increase attention.

ü      Music can improve memory.

ü      Music adds another sensory dimension.

ü      Music can help release tension.

ü      Music can release imagination.

ü      Music can be used to form groups.

ü      Music can improve community spirit.

ü      Music can inspire and motivate.

ü      Music adds the element of fun.

ü      Music can add a layer to theme-based units.

There are many ways, each with a repertoire of classroom techniques, that can be used easily by anyone. You don’t need to be a musician and all ages and levels will experience an increase in the joy of learning by adding music to your lessons.

Try this:

Write or find a poem that you can say to a steady beat of 1-2-3-4.

Example (from The Power of Rap by Barbara Feuring) :

emphasize the underlined words

There are many ways that we are smart

To teach these ways is indeed an art

But if you want to reach ev’ry lad and lass

You’ll use these ways as you teach your class.

Have students clap, step, snap or pat the steady beat while saying the poem. Students can write their own alone or in groups and perform for the rest of the class. It can be about something you are learning in class.

Each student or group can teach their “rap” to the rest of the class. If the students want to add mouth sounds, then someone else can say the words. Most important – keep a steady beat of 1-2-3-4.

For more ideas on how to use music in the classroom you may download my free book (in PDF format) titled The “Sound” Classroom -- Introduction to Whole Brain Learning and Using Sound and Music to Enhance Learning in the Classroom.

Introduction to the "Sound" Classroom

The future is here already.  Education has to make dramatic changes to the way students’ experience “school”, compared to the classrooms we know of yesterday and today.

By reading and using the information in this book, your students will get a chance to use ‘whole brain’ learning, a method which recognizes that teaching to both hemispheres of the brain is equal and necessary for a complete education. Your vision, like mine, can enable us to make a difference and make our schools better than our wildest dreams.

I hope this book adds a new dimension to your present knowledge of music, Imagine holding a prism to the sun and watching the colors change as you move it. The “SOUND” CLASSROOM will encourage you to view the use of music from a different angle, to improve your teaching and, more importantly, your students’ learning. We have always known the power that music has over our physical and mental states - from improving digestion to getting our heart pumping through aerobic exercise. There is NO substitute for well-chosen music to affect our state of being.

I plan to discuss how you can use music in the classroom both as a relaxant and a stimulant to achieve greater results - for focus and concentration, for controlling physical and mental energy, for increased coordination, performance ability and more.

Music is all around us but in general, our knowledge of its connections to our lives is at an all-time low!

As I work with young children and have used some of the techniques I have been amazed at how their focus and enjoyment has increased over a short period of time. I invite you to try some of the ideas suggested in the following pages and to share your findings.

I do not pretend to be an expert, only a teacher who realizes that music and creative thinking is the key to giving our children and future leaders the edge they will need to shape fulfilling lives.

I urge you to become familiar with such innovative artists as Vangelis, Yanni, Medwyn Goodall, and Stephen Halpern, who give us music that is stimulating, uplifting and in tune with heart and soul.

WELCOME TO THE “SOUND” CLASSROOM!