Music IN Education....Things to Think About

1.  How do you use music in YOUR life?  

I use music as therapy or to relax or to feel better. I have a lot of go to bands and composers that I go to in certain times of my life. I also am in a band so I also use music to perform for others as well. 

2. What musical activities and interests did you have as a child?  

I was really interested in all sorts of music when I was a kid. I was really into Bach, and Mozart, and other classic composers but also into lots of modern music as well. Then I was in band in junior high and high school as well. I always wanted to be in a band and would dream of it, and finally got into one a few years ago. 

3.  Have you observed children at musical play?  

Yes I have a lot of times. I actually just sat in on a orchestra concert at an elementary school here in Sioux City last week. It was very neat to see children learning to play instruments and read music at such a young age. 

4.  Are there some musical skills you are able to teach to children more easily than others?  

I could teach children how to read music, and the nuances of it. I could also teach a child how to play guitar as well. I think woodwind instruments would be tough for me to teach. 

5.  What do you think that all children should be able to do, musically, as a result of a MUSICAL  

education?  

I think an essential thing would be to learn how to read music and have good knowledge of notation. I think at the elementary age it is important for the teacher to get the students excited about playing music and to sew the seeds of a lifelong want to play music. 

6.  Have you ever observed a teacher integrating music into the classroom?  Cite examples.  

Yes I have. I work in a kindergarten classroom where the teacher loves to use songs to help the students learn different things. The students really enjoy doing these songs as well. In a 5th grade classroom that I work in the teacher will play classical music during the lit. block time of class. 

7.  How do you think music can be integrated into the elementary classroom?  

For younger students the kids love sing songs and do actions with them. I think that this is a great way to both incorporate music into a classroom as well as it being a valuable tool to teach different lessons to students. 

8.  How do you think music can be used as an interdisciplinary tool in the elementary classroom? 

I believe that orchestra, or concert band helps teach students discipline and dedication to something.