Teacher to Teacher
IN MY HUMBLE OPINION
Beyond words How do you incorporate music into your lessons?
Every day in kindergarten we sing a song for the days of the week and months of the year. At the beginning of the year, we sing a song called “Good Morning” to set the tone. I also have a fun partner song called “Hello Everybody,” which is
I often go out on supervision with my small speaker and take requests in the area I’m supervising. The kids flock over and wind up doing the chicken dance or freeze dancing. It’s an instant mood booster. – Lorrianne Lynn Pearce
Consider using music as a prompt to set the tone of your class. Use it to calm, engage, inspire, energize— all by using different music. Give concepts a “theme song” and watch how, by simply playing that music, the students’ recall improves. It works! – Chris Herard
great for learning how to find a partner and learn names in class. – Michelle Fatica
As a French teacher, every year I’ve participated in Manie Musicale, a worldwide March Madness–themed francophone music tournament. I’ve also done lessons on Métis jigging and playing spoons—practicing in class, of course. – Danielle Black
If the class needs a movement break, sometimes I do desk drumming . – Melissa Henke-Lambert
I worked with a very wise Grade 2 teacher in a high-needs school who started every morning with the students on yoga mats listening to at least 10 minutes of classical music. – Anne Elizabeth
In junior high ELA, I begin every class with a song. The kids listen and follow along with the lyrics. Once the song is finished, they get up and walk to either the “jam” or “no jam” side of the room. We take a few minutes to listen to five or six students explain their choice. By the end of the week, everyone will have had a chance to share their opinion. It’s a low-risk way to practice sharing their thoughts and practice speaking in front of the class. – Melissa Morton
During snack time, I did a musical March Madness: Battle of the Decades, where I taught my Grade 5s about the variation of music from decade to decade, and they voted on two songs each day. I also spotlight a different song every day during clean-up time. I use the song as a timer. Students have until the end of the song to finish cleaning. – Kate Finlay
After the last recess each day, I put on a musical mapping video. The kids follow along and it creates a much calmer learning atmosphere. – Ashley Lang
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THE ALBERTA TEACHERS’ ASSOCIATION
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