Music and Movement

I am a firm believer that movement is an essential part of learning for kids (and adults!).  When we move, we are activating and engaging a very important part of our brain.  The primary motor cortex is known as the main area of the brain that controls motor function.  Adding movement to a lesson is a natural way to instantly amp up the learning process.  

In our music classroom at AGS, we come by it naturally.  This week, movement will be the "glue" that will make my lessons "stick."  

To begin learning about dynamics and tempo (not to mention the ever-important steady beat), our students danced with scarves.  I carefully selected pieces that had a variety of tempos and dynamic changes.  As we moved, I told the students to use the scarf to show the music.  When we did this, the pressure of moving our bodies in space was instantly removed and re-focused into "making the scarf dance".  This little trick gets the most reluctant movers going right away!   

This week, we were also activating our muscles (and brains) as we performed partner hand clapping songs...again, with carefully selected songs containing dynamic and tempo variety. Below, you can see, our 3rd graders were trying to "keep up" with John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt!  The children had to work together in order to maintain the steady beat at increasing tempos.  Our quick movements made for some great "hands-on" learning.  As a side note, you may notice that in this class, the majority of partnerships were boy/girl.  It was interesting to see the level of focus and determination they had with one another.  #worktogether #nomatterwhat

Whatever your lesson might be, try to add movement in some shape or form.  Get those ideas to stick...  At the very least, you will have a lot of fun along the way :)