Music & SEL

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Creating a supportive and engaging learning environment that nurtures students' musical, social, and emotional development. 

• Emotional Vocabulary Building

Helping students understand the emotion of music so they can articulate their own feelings beyond “fine” helps students develop their ability to accurately articulate their own emotions while finding examples in musical performance and repertoire. 

The National Association for Music Education (NAfME) 

Movement & Music

The Orff-Schulwerk approach is a music education methodology, naturally integrating Social Emotional Learning by fostering emotional expression, collaboration, and creative development through music and movement. It is a multisensory, child-centered approach that encourages playfulness, exploration, and improvisation, making learning engaging and enjoyable. 

Creating Songs

An essential component to the Orff approach is improvisation; Carl Orff believed in allowing the children to be the composers. The teacher sets up parameters in which the child can successfully create his or her own rhythm, melody, or movement/dance. Orff begins with rhythm because it is the most basic of all the elements.

Collaborating On Songs

The Orff approach to music education with its emphasis on collaboration and active participation, can effectively enhance social-emotional learning. By engaging in music-making through body percussion, singing, and movement, students naturally develop skills like self-awareness, self-regulation, and social skills. approach also fosters creativity, communication, and empathy, all crucial components of SEL.

How the Orff Approach Supports SEL:

• Collaboration and Communication:
  Orff activities inherently require students to work together, communicate, and listen to one another. This fosters teamwork, respect, and social skills. 

• Emotional Expression and Regulation:
  Music provides a safe space for students to express their emotions and develop emotional literacy. Body percussion, singing, and movement can help students process and manage their emotions. 

• SAwareness and Self-Efficacy:
  Participating in music-making allows students to explore their own musical talents and abilities, boosting their self-esteem and sense of accomplishment. 

• Creativity and Imagination:

The Orff approach encourages creative exploration and improvisation, which can enhance students' cognitive flexibility and problem-solving skills.

• Empathy and Social Awareness:
  By listening to and collaborating with their peers, students develop empathy and an understanding of different perspectives. 

• Focus on the Process:
  Instead of solely focusing on performance, Orff lessons can emphasize the process of music-making, encouraging students to reflect on their experiences and the emotions they feel. 

• Use of Body Percussion and Movement:
  Incorporating body percussion and movement activities can help students connect with their emotions and build self-awareness. 

• Encourage Improvisation and Creativity:
  Allowing students to improvise and explore musical ideas can foster their creativity and problem-solving skills. 

• Promote Collaborative Activities:
  Design activities that require students to work together, communicate, and take turns, such as creating musical stories or composing music together. 

• Reflect on the Experience:
  After activities, take time to reflect on the emotions and experiences that students felt, encouraging them to share their thoughts and feelings with the class. 

Click on the following links to hear some of the SEL related songs from this school year: 

True Colors Camden Voices (self-isolation/virtual choir cover)

 You Can Count On Me, Bruno Mars

You Can Count On Us, Main Street Spring 2020

Rainbow Connection, Kermit The Frog

L-O-V-E,  Linda Arnold 

Butterfly, Linda Arnold 

You've Got A Friend In Me, Randy Newman