Music in the Classroom is Important
Music is a saving grace for many people, including our students. For many reasons.
It can take you back in time. It can make you forget everything going on around you for those 3 minutes. It can make you emotional, in good and bad ways. It can bring you to your feet and make you dance.
That’s the best kind of music. The kind of music that is so good it just makes you want to dance.
Kids love music. They love to dance and sing. And then dance some more.
And it’s been proven that movement, which can be easily integrated with music, helps children reinvigorate their brains during the school day. Music is a powerful tool!
Too often, teachers assume that there is no need to incorporate music into lesson plans. And I’ve been there, I get it. If the students have a specials class with a music teacher or they are have music therapy appointments, why worry about using music in your classroom?
No matter the classroom setting, your students are missing out on the benefits of incorporating music into your daily classroom routine if you aren’t currently embedding music into your instruction.
On the other hand, teachers are short on time as it is, and when we go home we want to be with our families. When is there time to find songs that are appropriate for school, and songs that the students will enjoy and know?
Lucky for you, I have taken the guess work out of it. No worrying about profanity or inappropriate lyric-repeating in public (that would be a fun teacher-parent conversation, right?). These songs are safe, and I want you and your students to feel the benefits of music in the classroom, well… like yesterday.
Below is a curated list of 18 songs that your students know and love, that are not KidzBop (which is a great starting place as well, but there’s only so much an adult can take #realtalk), and are ready to be played in your classroom!
18 Brain Break Songs
Justin Timberlake – Can’t Stop the Feeling
Anna Kendrick – Get Back Up Again
Black Eyed Peas – I’ve Gotta Feeling
Randy Newman – You’ve Got a Friend in Me
Ylvis – What Does the Fox Say?
Miley Cyrus – Party in the USA
Lukas Graham – Take the World By Storm
Ryan Shupe & The Rubberband – Dream Big
As the teacher, you are the facilitator of using music in your classroom. Experiment a little bit to find the combination of music that works best for your students. Ask them what they want to hear and make them a part of the musical decisions. Incorporate this one change in your classroom, and you will notice big benefits for you and your students.
How are you incorporating music? What songs do your students enjoy listening to in your classroom?
[…] Choose Appropriate Songs: Listen to the lyrics and the songs before you play them in the classroom. Make sure the songs you choose are appropriate. Here is a curated list of 18 songs perfect for any classroom. […]