3 Ways Music Brings Libraries to Life

January 19, 2017

 

By Shannon McClintock Miller

I want you to picture this: the first graders are learning all about seeds during the plant unit in the fall. To help them understand and remember the information, the teacher introduces Little Seeds from Cantata Learning by reading and singing with the students.  

Give seeds warmth. Give them water. A plant could grow from everyone. Not only does the song help them remember the facts about seeds, the music gets them moving and interacting with others.

As Heather Wolpert-Gawron states in 8 Ways To Use Music In The Language Arts Classroom, “Music opens up neurons, opens doors in your brain that create a kind of loft space receptive to learning.” This is exactly what is happening in this classroom as the science concepts come to life with music. Bringing music to the classroom is something everyone can do, and here are three easy ways music can bring your classroom to life too!  

Move to Focus

Music is a meaningful way to expend energy and get students focused on learning. “Singing encourages oral language skills, physical development, and an understanding of concepts such as sequence and patterning.” (Connors, 2016). You can make music part of the daily routine such as lining up, taking turns and even finding books in the library. By completing these tasks to songs and movement, children will learn and enjoy them so much more.  

Work That Brain Muscle

Music helps children with retention and memorization. “Music helps many children break information down into easily remembered pieces or associate it with previously known information, such a familiar song” (Ringgenberg, 2016). I remember how helpful it was for me to learn and memorize with music. Now it is easy to tie music into every subject area in a meaningful way with the books and songs from Cantata Learning. These are essential and bring life to learning in any classroom.  

Build a Classroom Community

Music is a very special way to build community within the classroom. As you incorporate music throughout the curriculum, students will enjoy what they are learning even more and will be excited to have a way to remember the facts and information through music. They will love to see how much you, as the teacher, love learning, listening, and singing along to music too. It sets a tone and celebrates a universal language we all love.

For example, I love sharing the Fairy Tale Tunes series from Cantata Learning with children because I have a passion for different versions of classic fairy tales. These titles, such as Little Red Riding Hood and Jack and the Beanstalk will bring happiness with their playful illustrations, fun songs, and meaningful stories.

Cantata Learning brings classrooms to life by empowering children through literacy and song. These three ways are just a start in making a difference and bringing your classroom to life with music!  

References:

Higgins, Nadia. (2017). Little Seeds. Cantata Learning.

Peale, Jonathan. (2017). Jack and the Beanstalk. Cantata Learning.

Peale, Jonathan. (2017).  Little Red Riding Hood. Cantata Learning.

Ringgenberg, S. (2004). Singing as a teaching tool. Retrieved from https://oldweb.naeyc.org/ece/2004/01.asp

Wolpert-Gawron, H. (2014). 8 Ways to Use Music in the Language Arts Classroom. Retrieved from https://www.edutopia.org/blog/using-music-strategies-language-arts-classroom-heather-wolpert-gawron

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