Incorporating Music into Core Classes

by Kayla Weekley

Introduction

Have you ever considered ways to create a more enjoyable classroom for your students? Traditionally teachers may consider ways to incorporate interactive activities such as games and concrete learning devices, but many may not consider how music can enhance student's learning experiences in the core subjects.

Learning Targets:

Describe how music creates a classroom culture.
Explain the steps to manage a musical core classroom.
Explain how to use music to teach.

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A Musical Classroom Culture

According to James DiDomenico (2017), music is a universal language that brings people together despite their differences. Music brings people from all cultures and backgrounds together to create a community. In a school classroom, a sense of community means belonging to a group of people who share common interests, experiences, and equitable opportunities. So how does music create a classroom community? In a classroom community, students feel represented and respected and act as democratic citizens who are kind, respectful, and participate. Classroom communities can be enhanced by creating classroom songs and incorporating music into activities; whether its creating a song or listening to music which pertains to the current topics.

Managing a Musical Class

By incorporating classroom routines and predictable music or songs for activities we allow students to feel they have autonomy in their education because it becomes predictable and we allow them to feel they have a choice in how they are represented as individuals and a class. Creating a classroom routine provides students with a predictable schedule which allows them to feel autonomy in their education. "Music can provide structure; it has a beginning, middle, and end" (DiDomenico, 2017). By incorporating predictable music into our classrooms our students begin to follow instructions without having to be instructed to do so. Similarly to a bell tune in middle or high school which signifies the start or end of a class, these sounds become a part of our routines and without them we can be thrown off our schedules.

In the video below YouTuber Mooncake English demonstrates easy transition songs (2020).

Using Music to Teach

According to Doreen Pacini (2019), students become more creative, better critical thinkers, and more motivated when music is incorporated into other subjects. Music also offers methods of differentiated instruction for students with physical or mental disabilities. According to Maria Alegria (2017), this can include playing calming music for students with trouble controlling their movement or adapting memorable songs to create a version with classroom rules as lyrics so that students can sing to remember rules or calming techniques.

According to Pros & Cons of Music in Schools, "As far as educational standards are concerned, music in schools has more pros than cons."

Cons

Musical equipment can be costly and students may break it.
Some music is not safe for school, teachers should review the material and ensure it is appropriate.
Music can distract students from the material being covered.
Having music playing can cause students to become louder by trying to talk over it or singing and humming along.

Pros

There are many cheap instruments for purchase and items to use instead.
Music is a universal language and can also be used to represent various cultures.
Having music playing in the background can help students concentrate on their work.
Music can be played to alter mood, such as soft and calm music creating a calmer atmosphere.
Children involved with music often have better language skills.

Conclusion

A quiet classroom is often thought of as the ideal classroom, but often times noise is good too. We ask students to be quiet when class starts, when the teacher or a fellow student is speaking, while completing assignments, or while walking in the hall; and while quietness has it's perks in education, we cannot ignore the benefits of a classroom the encourages the appropriate amount of noise. A calm song in the background can help students focus, a predictable tone tells students time is up and it's time to move on to the next activity, and even certain songs can help students remember course material or school rules. While we should respect that individual students each have their own needs, we cannot ignore the benefits of a well planning classroom that incorporates music.

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Questions

Which of the following is not a benefit of incorporating music into the core classes?

a. Having music playing can cause students to become louder by trying to talk over it or singing and humming along.

b. Having music playing in the background can help students concentrate on their work.

c. Music can be played to alter mood, such as soft and calm music creating a calmer atmosphere.

d. Music is a universal language and can also be used to represent various cultures.

2. Mr. Corwin's class is having trouble settling down between activities. He has handed out classroom schedules but, his students have not achieved fluency in reading time. What method can Mr. Corwin use to help his students?

a. Begin using transition songs for specific activities to gain student attention when ending or starting new activities.

b. Create a classroom song to help students in developing their classroom community.

c. Play calm music to help them focus while they read.

d. Take away recess time for time loss during class.

Answers:

References

Alegria, M., (2017 June, 7). Music as a teaching tool. Edutopia. https://www.edutopia.org/blog/music-teaching-tool-maria-alegria

DiDomenico, J. (2017). Effective integration of music in the elementary school classroom. Inquiry in Education, 9(2), pages. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1171782.pdf

Mooncake English. (2020 September, 20). Kindergarten Transition Songs [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19st83NSNGg&ab_channel=MooncakeEnglish

Pacini, D. (2019). Effects of music education on the academic achievement of elementary school students. Capstone Projects and Master’s Thesis. https://digitalcommons.csumb.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1520&context=caps_thes_all

Pros & cons of music in schools. (n.d.). Classroom. Retrieved October 18, 2021, from https://classroom.synonym.com/pros-cons-music-schools-8000796.html

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