Have you tried playing classical music in the classroom? Many teachers have. I, for one, was bombarded with the idea that there had been many studies done to show that playing classical music for your students supposedly raised their IQs and helped them to better focus. Does it, though? I have no idea.
So this week’s post is NOT about how music will make your students smarter. While I completely believe that exposing students to a variety of music absolutely helps them become more well-rounded people, I truly do not have the foggiest idea as to whether or not it will improve their test scores.
All this being said, I do want to share with you three reasons why I feel playing music (classical or otherwise) is beneficial to your students, the classroom environment, and well…you! Stick around at the end to grab my list of favorite artists, albums, and songs to play for your kids!
1 – The Right Music Can Bring Calm to a Wound-Up Class
Okay, so this is where classical music comes into play. When my kiddos are feeling especially…energetic…some gentle Mozart or Chopin really brings a calm mood to the class. I have noticed over the years that this does help settle most kids and brings them to a place where they can focus and get some work or silent reading accomplished.
2 – The Right Music Can Bring Energy to a Sleepy Class
When my class is feeling sleepy, classical or quiet music is NOT the way to go. I have had an affinity for the Beatles for years and love introducing my students who may have not have had the opportunity to hear them before to the Fab Four. Most of their early music is classroom safe and my students end up really enjoying them!
3 – Music is One of Life’s Greatest Joys
I have certain songs I play for my class just because I love them and other songs I play because I’m trying to relay a message in a humorous way – for example, N’Sync’s “Bye Bye Bye,” when I am working with a small group and students continue approaching my table for trivial matters or “You Talk Too Much” by Joe Jones when the entire class just cannot stop with the chit chat.
Broadway musicals are a great passion of mine, so I have played different songs from different shows to provide some exposure to the genre. We discussed Rita Moreno recently as our person of the week and we listened to some selections from West Side Story as part of that study.
My general musical tastes have always run a bit eclectic and lean heavily towards indie (independent record labels) post-punk, riot grrl, rockabilly, and sugar pop, so I will even drag some of those tracks out now and then (after carefully reviewing the lyrics, of course)!
Hopefully, one or more of these ideas have resonated with you and you will try playing some music in your classroom (if you haven’t already). Need some suggestions? Sign up for my favorite playlists freebie below!
Have a great week, teacher friends!
Until next time!
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