Classroom Tips - from the Professional Development Department
Submitted by Paula Mellinger
Professional Dev. Coor.
ESU 10
Environments for Learning -- Music
Everyone can learn under the right circumstances. We each have our own preferred way of learning. The brain wants to learn and is learning all the time. When learning is varied and interesting, it is appealing. With this in mind, think about the physical environment of your classroom and the impact music can have on learning.
Specific tunes affect your mood. The same is true for your students. Playing music in the classroom can be inspiring, motivating, and/or calming. When music is playing, students may be more willing to speak in small groups, but others won’t be able to hear over the music so you need to know how to best arrange your classroom and utilize music. (R. Allen, Impact Teaching, 2002)
Music is also a great way to manage the classroom. Music can signal the end of a session, cleanup time, or a celebration. For example:
- Have music playing as students enter your room. Choose music that motivates you. If you are motivated, you will more likely motivate your students.
- Try playing baroque music during testing. Find baroque music that is marked “adagio.” This provides 40 to 60 beats a minute and is calming.
- Try playing music when the students are working in groups. Let them know that when the music stops, it is time for them to stop talking.
For more information on utilizing music in your classroom, check out these books:
Green, J. (2002) The Green Book of Songs by Subject: Thematic Guide to Popular Music, Nashville, TN
Jensen, E (2000). Music with the Brain in Mind. Alexandria, VA: ASCD
Jensen, E (2002). Environments for Learning. San Diego, CA: The Brain Store.
Sprenger, M. (2003). Differentiation through Learning Styles and Memory: Corwin Press
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