Reflection #8 Music

Note: I missed class last week because of my illness, and was disappointed because music is my favorite arts subject.

The textbook's definition of music is "sound patterns over time intended to express moods, ideas, or feelings". (Creating Meaning Through Literature and the Arts) Music can be used as a valuable tool in teaching students in the classroom. I plan to use music in helping my students memorize facts and concepts, as background sound to help stimulate thinking, for brain boosters, for exercise activities, and to have an enjoyable experience in learning.

It is important to teach students musical elements and concepts, how music has developed and how it defines different cultures. Music has always played an important part of history and I think students should be taught about the influence of it. Also, students and teachers need to know that they don't have to be professionals in music. They just need the desire to learn a new skill.

I want to be able to integrate music in my classroom. First of all, this is going to require some research in finding songs and activities that will increase learning and that will match the core. Starting at preschool age, children learn their abc's by music. It is much easier to learn by lyrics and melody and students will be able to retain their knowledge better if facts are taught by music. I would like to incorporate music in behavior reminders, classroom rules, helping with self-esteem, and physical exercise. I have used music in kindergarten (as a substitute) as a teaching tool for learning colors, rhymes, abc's, and as substitute for physical education activities when outside recess was not allowed. I have also used classical music to help students concentrate on math problems. I have seen it's positive influence in these situations. Music will help me teach Math, Science, Language Arts, and will also help to create a RAD classroom. My students will definitely be exposed to music in our classroom.