Using Music to Enhance Student Learning: A Practical Guide for Elementary Classroom Teachers

Integrating musical activities in the elementary school classroom can assist in effectively teaching and engaging students in Language Arts, Science, Math, and Social Studies, while also boosting mental, emotional and social development. However, many elementary education majors fear they lack the needed musical skills to use music successfully. Future elementary school teachers need usable, practical musical strategies to easily infuse into their curriculum. Written for both current and future teachers with little or no previous experience in music, Using Music to Enhance Student Learning offers strategies that are not heavily dependent on musical skills. While most textbooks are devoted to teaching music theory skills, this textbook is dedicated to the pedagogical aspect of music. The ultimate goal is for elementary school children to leave the classroom with an introductory appreciation of music in a joyful, creative environment, and perhaps wanting to broaden their understanding.

SPECIAL FEATURES

• Listening Maps help listeners focus on music selections through a clear visual representation of sound.
• Group Activities reinforce the social aspects of music-making, as well as the benefits of collaborative teaching and learning.
• Thorough integration of music establishes that music is essential in a child’s development, and that the integration of music will significantly enhance all other subjects/activities in the classroom.
• Learning Aids including Tantalizing Tidbits of Research, Teaching Tips, Thinking It Through activities, Suggestions for Further Study, and a list of Recommended Student Books provide useful resources at the end of each chapter.

THE USING MUSIC PACKAGE

There are several special resources for both students and teachers:

• An Audio CD with listening selections from the Baroque, Classical, Romantic and Contemporary Periods.
• Get America Singing…Again! Volume 1 contains 43 songs that represent America’s varied music heritage of folksongs, traditional songs and patriotic songs.
• The Appendices:

• A songbook with an emphasis on Hispanic folksongs
• A recorder music songbook
• Samples of key assignments and lists of music-related books for children and for teachers
• The Companion Web site

• Links to education resources
• Instructors’ resources, including sample syllabi, quizzes, student handouts, and assignment rubrics

Dr. Jana R. Fallin is Professor of Music and Division Chair of Music Education at Kansas State University, serves as Coordinator for the Faculty Exchange for Teaching Excellence (FETE) at Kansas State.

Mollie Gregory Tower taught elementary music and served twenty-one years as a Music Supervisor for Austin ISD. She now teaches in the School of Music, Texas State University-San Marcos,