Music and Learning in the Classroom

Music & Learning in the Classroom:

Music & Learning in the Classroom Robert Kennedy Regis University April 16, 2011

Our Objectives:

Our Objectives Background on sound and the brain How can sound affect students? What types of music are good for the classroom? How can we use music in the classroom? Discussion / Q&A

What is sound?:

What is sound? All sound/all music comes from vibrations in the air Sound is the actual wave, the actual ripple of vibrating air The difference between one sound and another (clapping vs. a tone) is the nature of the vibration, the details of the vibration A musical note is a vibration that is very regular and repeats in an orderly pattern (“The Music Instinct” 6:13-7:28 mins )

How do our bodies receive sound?:

How do our bodies receive sound? “The Music Instinct” 10:11-12:27 Scientists no longer believe in one central music center There are many music centers in the human brain Pitch, tempo, loudness, timbre (voice or trombone) are house in different areas In hospitals, music is used to steady the heartbeats of premature babies and cardiac patients “Scary” or otherwise emotional reactions Scientists believe the body absorbs different frequencies We feel the effects mentally, physically

“Music plays the brain like an instrument…”:

“Music plays the brain like an instrument…” Daniel Levitin , “The Music Instinct”

Sound vs. Music:

Sound vs. Music How do we react to certain sounds? Variations in pitch, tempo, timbre Major (happy) vs. Minor (sad) is a learned cultural response to music In the Middle East, many happy songs are in a minor key At birth, our neurons are connected as we hear and associate music with certain emotions

Albert and His Violin:

Albert and His Violin “If I were not a physicist, I would probably be a musician. I often think in music. I live my daydreams in music. I see my life in terms of music. ... I get most joy in life out of music .” – Albert Einstein

When could you use music in your classroom?:

When could you use music in your classroom? Baroque/Classical (60 b.p.m .) Before a test for relaxation With memorization activities (along with visualization strategies) During writing activities Pop/Dance Music During a brain break Rap/Rhyming To help teach memorization State Capitols Multiplication, etc.

What types of music are good while students are working?:

What types of music are good while students are working? R esearch shows… Baroque classical music Played at 60 beats per minute Induces alpha brain waves that are ideal for learning, creativity and relaxation Baroque has unity of mood – happy stays happy Continuity of melody, tempo and mood Be careful of music with a high tempo Be aware of the emotional impact of music Other soft music (such as jazz) played around 60 bpm will work “The human mind shuts down after three or four repetitions of a rhythm, or a melody, or a harmonic progression .“

Background Music/Sounds:

Background Music/Sounds Themed Lessons Writing Play before writing begins Include visual aids to help stimulate creativity Flickr Storm Winter stories – Charlie Brown Christmas Creative stories – Thelonious Monk (jazz) Science Fiction – Star Wars theme music Personal Narrative about the rain – play sounds of rainfall Science During hypothesis and conclusion/summary Social Studies Rainforest Unit – played animal sounds Cultural studies Historical pieces

iTunes/iPod Music Centers:

iTunes/iPod Music Centers Compile songs that students like Ask them to bring in their favorite CD’s Find music on iTunes/beemp3 CD’s from local library Kids Bop / Disney Music Flocabulary.com Poetry / Shel Silverstein Small-group reading centers One student at a time Ask for iPod donations from families Add songs to your website or blog Find song lyrics online ( www.azlyrics.com )

Writing Songs/Recording Music:

Writing Songs/Recording Music Give students a brief history of musical genres Blues, Jazz, Pop, Rap, R&B, Rock, Classical, Dance… Have students make their own songs or beats Garage Band (Mac) Audacity (PC) Have them write their own lyrics Verse, Chorus, etc. Have them rewrite the lyrics to a favorite song i.e. “Frankie B. Goode” for Frankenstein instead of “Johnny B. Goode” Do freestyle Blues/Rap in class!

Class Sing-a-long:

Class Sing-a-long Easy Steps: Find a song you would all like Post the lyrics on chart paper, PowerPoint, or hand to students Sing along with a CD, guitar, keyboard… Ask the music teach to use their room Keep drums in the classroom? Some songs we have used: http:// mrkennedysclass.com/teachers/music.html Sing-a-long to Math songs “Songs of 10” Multiplication Rap songs Ron Clark Rap

Brain Breaks:

Brain Breaks “My Bonnie Lies over the Ocean” Jumping Beans Play mariachi or other Spanish music When the song stops – they have to stop jumping or they are out! Music stop-and-start Musical Chairs Stop and Start Guitar Music Responsive Classroom ( http:// www.youtube.com/user/responsiveclassroom ) People to People My Favorite Sport Solar System Rap Robot Rap and MUCH MORE!

Tech Resources:

Tech Resources Pandora Radio (pandora.com) Baroque station Youtube song search iTunes Flocabulary (flocabulary.com) Songs for Teaching ( songsforteaching.com ) CD’s and sheet music for the classroom Guitar Baroque Classical Music (at 60 beats/minute) http://www.nqnet.com/learn / Programs that calculate beat per minute of a song http:// www.mmartins.com/mmartins/bpmdetection/bpmdetection.asp Responsive Classroom Energizers & Brain Breaks http://www.youtube.com/user/responsiveclassroom

Important Things to Remember:

Important Things to Remember There is a STRONG link between music and culture Try to learn more about your students and families by asking them about their favorite styles of music Incorporate movement with music Styles of music should remain the same during learning and then testing activities Music affects different people in different ways Always try to offer the option for no music

References:

References “This is Your Brain on Music” by Daniel J. Levitin “The Music Instinct: Science and Song” directed by Elena Mannes www.musicintheclassroom.com www.cerebromente.org.br/n15/mente/musica.html

What did we discuss?:

What did we discuss? Background on music and the brain What types of music are good How to use music in the classroom Questions? Ideas?