Music In Education

• What problems are teachers encountering with integrating music in the classroom?

• How can music help a child academically?• How can music help a child socially?• Should music be a part of the curriculum?

According to an article posted on TES, the main problem teachers face in integrating music in the curriculum is that they are poorly prepared. (Bloom, 2009)

“Lack of training and confidence among staff means many children are denied opportunities to sing and learn instruments.” (Bloom, 2009)

The problemThe article in TES also blamed the lack of funding and supplies

for music for the difficulty of integrating music in the curriculum.

In a survey conducted in England “a third of teachers said that their school’s annual music budget was less than Pounds 400. And 15 per cent reported that their school had no budget for music.” (Bloom, 2009)

Thoughts on the Problem

• It was frustrating to read this article and realize what a problem it is for teachers to get funding for music and the training required for integration.

• I think that this problem could easily be remedied if teachers were given more musical training and if there were more seminars promoting the integration of music in the curriculum that showed teachers how to link music to other subjects.

• Another way to help fix this problem is to create a fund for musical supplies.

Music can be linked to a number of subjects such as:- mathematics- logic- verbal/linguistics

It can also be linked to spatial relationships, improvisation, and conceptualization.

Music can be broken down into singing, listening, moving, and playing instruments.

The lyrics can be linked to development of verbal and linguistic skills.

The beat can be linked to mathematical and logical development.

An article posted by PR Newswire in 2009 stated that music also has the innate ability to serve as a behavioral control in children. Using music in the classroom would be a good way to placate angry children or children who acted out in inappropriate manners.

Academic AssistThe rhythm of a song can teach children to recognize

patterns. Movement teaches children the importance of spatial

relationships.Learning simple songs can lead to a child conceptualizing

their own songs. This can lead to improved improvisation skills and increased confidence in spelling.

For example, “For example, [Susan Stackhouse’s] version of “Hokey Pokey” starts with a word like train. She sings: You take the “t” out and put a “g” in, you take the “r” out, and look at what you have.You put the sounds together and you try to sound it out. (Kids clap.) What is the new word? Kids: Gain! (Prescott, 2005)

Thoughts on Music and Academia• I think it’s really interesting how music can be

linked to the subjects that make up the core of elementary curriculum.

• There are dozens of ways to relate music to the curriculum.

• I plan to integrate music in the classroom so my students aren’t only exposed to music once a week in a haphazard music class. I know first hand the importance of music in the classroom and know the potential it has for getting children interested and involved.

Music has always had the ability to bring people together or draw a line between people.

Children who are exposed to different genres of music at an early age are me likely to be open minded and form their own opinions on the music they hear. This can lead them to form bonds with other students over a shared interest in a particular type of music. It can also lead students to discuss any differences in opinions they may have. (Prescott, 2005)

Social AssistAs stated in the academic portion of this presentation music can also teach children the importance of spatial relationships and can educate them on the importance of personal space. It also makes the ‘keep your hands to yourself’ concept more understandable. (Prescott, 2005)

Thoughts on the Social Affect of Music

• As if the academic benefits of music weren’t enough incentive to integrate music into the daily classroom routine, music can also have an impact on a student’s social interaction with her peers. It can help them bond or talk out their differences, which assists them in forming friendships that are important to form at a young age. and can help them realize the importance of spatial relationships.

• Music should absolutely be a part of the curriculum in elementary schools.

• It can help make learning a more enjoyable experience for the students and the teachers subsequently.

• Music can be linked to a number of subjects that form the core of curriculum.

• It can help them forge social connections and develop an awareness of space and themselves in relationship to others.

• The real question here is not ‘should music be a part of the curriculum?’ but ‘what reason do we have to keep music from the curriculum?’

Resources

• Bloom, Adi. 2009, February 6. Teacher skills out of tune with music curriculum. TES Connect. Retrieved from the TES database.

• Prescott, Jennifer O. 2005, January/February. Music in the Classroom: Instructor's handy guide for bringing music into your classroom. Scholastic Instructor. Retrieved from the Scholastic database.

• 2009, June. New Research Reveals How Playing Music Results in Breakthroughs for Inner City Youth. PR Newswire. Retrieved from the Bing database.