You may hear from your children that they "watched a video" in Music class.
Yes! Videos are and additional resource that I find very helpful in my curriculum. Why?
Well, first of all, not all students have the opportunity to see live performances, and through my own library of educational music videos and through You Tube, I am able to bring music and musical theater to life for my classes.
Second, I do not play all instruments ( I wish I could) so being able to show talented children and adults playing a variety of instruments is so beneficial to opening them up to not only the world of music but the possibilities out there for them.
Third, whether we like it or not, children are very geared to be focused in on technology. When I use lyric videos as a way to reinforce songs they are learning, it provides another way to reach their memory. Children learn in different ways and this is one of them
Fourth, Music involves History, Math, Science, Social Studies and Reading. Sometimes I do show short videos which relate directly to those subjects or to enhance something teachers are doing in their academics. I feel music can and does play an important role in connecting students to a broader curriculum.
Last, but not least, as a Global School, I am thrilled that I have at my fingertips, access to the amazing videos which show music and dance being performed by people all over the world, as well as information about music used in celebrations in various cultures.
Unfortunately, most of my substitutes are not trained musicians, and I often have to leave music videos for them. However, I do my best to make them connected to units we are working one i.e. videos about composers, instruments, American music and or elements of music.
Feel free to contact me if you ever have a question about something your child says they have seen in class!