How to Incorporate Music in Classroom Activities
Many schools have discontinued their music programs because of budget cuts. This is a shame because children respond very well to music. Teachers may not be able to set aside time each day for a music class, but they can incorporate it in to their daily classroom activities. All it takes is a little creativity and willingness to change a few lesson plans around.
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Instructions
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Play a CD each morning to let the children know it is time to put their belongings away and get seated at their desks. Use the CD to also let children know when it is time to clean up and gather their belongings for their return home. The CD is fun, and the children will enjoying beginning and ending their day with it.
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Have the class make up a song to memorize information for a test. Not only is this a fun way to study, but it will help the children remember what they have learned. If you think about it, how do we teach our children their ABCs?
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Use art class to make musical instruments. Children can easily make rain sticks and tambourines. The art part of the class is decorating the outside of their new instruments in a unique way. Then have the class play a song with their instruments when they are completed.
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Use classical music as a background for test taking. Playing soft classical music helps children concentrate on their tests. This may be extremely useful during the school's yearly achievement tests.
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Play more upbeat music during gym class. This should be used during their stretching exercises before each sport is played. The upbeat music makes the kids want to work out and enjoy getting some physical exercise. You can even get them involved in a few games of musical chairs.
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Choose a different type of music to play each day when you have the older children practice journaling. Notice how the different beats lead children to create more unique stories. The music does contribute to their creativity.
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Use music as a study technique. Set up a slide projector or PowerPoint presentation. Put the study questions on them and have children study them silently as the music is playing. You will find that the children retain more information this way, and as a result, they will do better on their tests.
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Play background music as you go over the students' spelling and vocabulary words. You will want to use a classical tape for this exercise. Make sure you go over the words in a calm and even tone of voice.
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Tips & Warnings
Ask the children what some of their favorite songs are and use those songs to motivate them.
Make sure the music you choose is age appropriate, or you will have complaining parents on your doorstep.
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- Photo Credit Yejun Kim
