Sweet Melody in Life and Learning

     Music is happiness.  Plain and simple.  If professionals "play music to jump-start creative problem solving", and it is known to "kindle emotional responses while firing up cognition"... if it makes "time seem to speed by", and helps make "exercise palatable"... Then why not use it in the classroom.  The classroom is in need of all of these benefits.  It is where formal education blooms and flourishes and music should be a part of this daily.  A teacher who uses music in the classroom might feel that they are doing so for the benefit of the students, but may I submit, that music will be just as much a benefit to the teacher. 

     Patterns are pleasing.  Children love rhythm and repetition in melody.  The patterns in music stimulate the brain.   Music and rhythm are both a natural part of life.  Music helps keep attention and triggers memory.  A familiar melody helps maintain memory long-term.  Music is a great resource in every culture and is key in many traditions.  Music is also for everyone.  There are many types and genres.  Everyone loves and is benefitted by music.

     As a teacher I will incorporate music in my classroom everyday.  I plan to use it in presentations, classroom management, and for memorization.  I will use it in drama lessons, math learning, and other subjects.  I will play classical music when students are in the creative mode for artistic projects.  I will use it in times of celebration, for patriotism, and to unify our class.  I will sing the school song with our students to promote school pride.  I plan to use different instruments, such as the recorder, piano (I better practice!) and drums.  I plan to use it more so with technology.  We have such an abundance of resources to use music in the classroom.  I know that it will be a big help to my teaching experiences.

     

Importance of Arts in the Classroom

    I have always loved the arts.  The arts can be the most challenging classes a person can take.  The arts require skills that other subjects don't necessarily.  They require you to trust.  I think classes in the arts sometimes are more difficult for a person who comes in with the expectation that these are fun and easy classes.  Classes in the arts are fun but they require hard work in a different way then say a math class.  If your expectation is to work hard and put yourself out there, whatever it takes...then a person will have fun.  

     So what is it about the arts that is so addicting?  If artistic classes are so challenging why do so many people indulge their schedules with classes in the arts?  Art classes teach students in a way that requires a person to learn by active experiences.  To pull ourselves out of our comfort zone and trust our fellow classmates to an incredible degree.  This will bond students and teachers like no other class.  You become more than just friends you become a class family.  

     Children who have positive artistic experiences when they are young, will have more confidence in the arts as adults.  It allows a student to let go and be free from worries even if it is only for the duration of the project.  When the endorphins are released because of a pleasurable activity, the child will associate a happy memory because they let go of their worries even if it was only for a moment.  

     I have always thought the arts were important because I enjoy them so much, but I later learned that it is more than enjoyment for a short time.  The discipline that is required to perform artistically, is admirable for all who are lucky enough to witness it and a fantastic memory for a lifetime. 

Drama in the Classroom

     A few years ago I remember admiring teachers who used drama in the classroom and felt very intimidated by the thought of using it in my future classroom.  I was very nervous to take the class Theatre for Elem. Ed. Teachers, but had I known how much I would have learned, I would have taken it long before I did.  That class sparked something in me that I hope never dies.  In addition to learning about the resources available and the skill of teaching and incorporating Drama in the classroom, we learned concentration, focus, and gained an immense amount of confidence.  These are a few of the things children gain when they are taught drama in the classroom.

     The techniques and strategies that I plan on using will be, to develop trust with my students so that they know that our class is a safe environment.  I will use many focus games and exercises to develop concentration.  I will use drama vocabulary such as upstage and center-stage etc. I will allow for creative role playing and puppet making lessons.  I will have a class play, even if I don't teach 3rd or 5th grade, when it is commonly done.  

     I would love to pull lessons from other subjects and tie drama into them.  I can see myself having students act as mad scientists as they present their science project.  I would encourage students to dress up in appropriate costumes and come as the person they chose for their Presidents report or Explorer.  I would like to dress up as the author or characters of books we read in class and have fun with reading.  Drama can be a memorable tool for children that can last a lifetime.