The Value Of Music The Value Of Music In Our SchoolsIn Our Schools

Music is the common language of the world.Music is the common language of the world. It transcends the cultures. It transcends the ages. It transcends the cultures. It transcends the ages.

It’s the way in which we understand, It’s the way in which we understand, communicate and share our emotions. communicate and share our emotions.

As with all subjects; math, science, languages, art, As with all subjects; math, science, languages, art, the greater the study, the more profound the the greater the study, the more profound the

understanding.understanding.Music connects us and promotes empathy among Music connects us and promotes empathy among

people of all cultures, genders and ages in our people of all cultures, genders and ages in our increasingly shrinking world.increasingly shrinking world.

IMPORTANCE OF MUSIC EDUCATION

Music Education Helps Develop:•Hand-Eye Coordination•Memory Skills•Concentration•Problem Solving Skills•Teamwork•Self-Confidence/Self Esteem•Standards of Excellence•Time Management Skills

4 Categories of Benefits for Music Education

1. Success in Society2. Success in School3. Success in Developing Intelligence4. Success in Life

What Can Parents Do?

Listen to music with your child from little on nursery rhymes, folk songs, children’s songs

Sing and play music with your child Go to concerts or watch concerts on television Encourage your child to participate in musical

activities at school and home Listen and show enthusiasm for your child’s

musical achievements Attend your child’s school music programs Be active in your child’s everyday life Engage in musical activities with your child on

the internet. There are many interactive sites.

How Music Connects to the Core Subject Areas

Research & Ideas Used in the Research & Ideas Used in the Music Music

ClassroomClassroom

Music and Math

Spatial/temporal relationships in music exist as pitch and rhythm patterns

The cognitive skills used to process music are used in math as well

When singing on pitch: “Do” is less than “re”, and “re” is less than “mi”. As students develop these skills, it can help students understand math concepts such as number lines

Gardiner, 1996

Music and Math

2nd and 3rd graders were taught fractions using concept of rhythmic notation-relationships between different note values

Peers received traditional fraction instruction

Students taught fractions using music concept scored 100% higher on fractions tests than those who learned using the traditional method

Rauscher, 1999

Music and Math

Musical notation-notes and rhythms-are sets of graphs

Students use addition and subtraction skills when working with measures and beats: Creating and/or completing measures using quarter, half, eighth notes and their respective number of counts.

Music and Science Instruments and Science

Size and Pitch: Large instruments have low sounds Small instruments have high sounds Using Boomwhackers (plastic tubes that are pitched

to certain notes), you can build a pyramid to visually show the students that to support the pyramid, the large tube must be on the bottom (and it makes the lowest sound). The smallest tube must be on the top of the pyramid (it makes the highest sound)

Music and ScienceOther interesting ideas:

Glasses filled with different amounts of water-have the students put them in order from the lowest to the highest (the lowest will be the one with the least amount of water; the highest will be the one with the most water-the instrument is actually the air column created by the space not filled up with water: smaller air space = more water = higher sound larger air space = less water = lower sound

There are numerous songs and movement activities that have a science focus to them.

The opportunities to connect music to science are ENDLESS!!!

Music and…..

Music and Social Studies

Happens often when teaching/learning songs about:

Countries Continents States Game songs from

other cultures Folk dances from

around the world

While learning these songs, we also learn:

Games Dances Instruments-both

American and foreign Rhythms Songs in native

languages History of American

music and world music

Music and…..

Music and Reading

Both music and reading rely on the discrimination of sounds from each other

When learning to read, we learn how to relate letters to their spoken sounds

Endless Possibilities!!!

Music is constantly connected to the core subjects of education

By it’s nature, music education naturally addresses all subject areas!

In the Music Room Your Child Has the Opportunity to:

Learn how to sing Learn how to read

music Learn how to play

instruments Learn musical

games Learn dances Learn important

musical terms

Perform for others Create rhythms,

melodies, and dances

Listen to music from many cultures and time periods

Make instruments Show musical

expression And much, much

more!

Music Is… Science~it is exact, specific, and demands

acoustics. Music scores are graphs which indicate frequencies, volume changes, melody, harmony, and intensities all at once with exact control of time

Mathematical~it is rhythmically based on subdivisions of time into fractions

Foreign Language~terms are often in Italian, German, or French. Notation is a set of symbols used to represent ideas that everyone, regardless of language can understand

Music Is…• History~ reflects the times,

country, and origin of it’s creation

• Physical Education~ coordination of eyes, hands, fingers, lips, voice, facial, and diaphragm muscles in response to the sounds heard and interpreted

• Art~ Use all of the technical aspects of music to create emotion and beauty

The Value Of Music The Value Of Music

In Our SchoolsIn Our Schools

Edited by Yolanda Martinez-Music SpecialistEdited by Yolanda Martinez-Music SpecialistSuncoast Elementary Fine Arts DepartmentSuncoast Elementary Fine Arts Department

For more information visit our website atFor more information visit our website at

http://www.sesmusic.orgIn collaboration with Wendy SchlenkerIn collaboration with Wendy Schlenker

For Plank Road PublishingFor Plank Road Publishing©2005©2005