Why is it that when it comes to remembering every U.S. president or the elements of the periodic table I usually fall short, but when asked what the lyrics of any number of Disney song are, I could easily recall every word? Why is it that if you asked me to name all 50 states, it would probably take quite a few minutes and a pen & paper, but when one asks this young girl to name all 50 states she can recall them confidently in 34.5 seconds?
...Music
Music is a powerful thing. Just ponder for a minute how many songs lyrics you have hidden away somewhere in your mind. How many songs would you estimate you've memorized...50, 100, 500, maybe 1000? Sometimes while driving down the road listening to the radio, I will shock myself when I realize that I'm singing along to a song I haven't heard in years. It seems to me that music and memory can go hand in hand. I'm a hopeful teacher always looking for good ideas for the classroom...soooo...if music can help us remember lyrics that we'd almost rather forget (The Macarena, The Song that Never Ends, etc) then why couldn't it also help students learn content? (Oh, by the way, here is a link to an interesting article on songs getting "stuck in your head".)
I was taught by a teacher in 10th grade that had many of these same ideas. She was a short, fiery, redheaded English teacher. Each year she would assign a group project to help her students learn grammar rules. The project was to pick a commonly known theme song of a popular television show and change the lyrics to teach a grammar rule. We then had to present the song to the class and be judged. Every member of the winning group won a candy bar. My group was determined to win that candy, and we did. In fact to this day, I still remember (about 8 years later) our song on indirect objects and object complements. I've even included some of the lyrics for those interested in learning some grammar. Just imagine they are being sung to the tune of the Cheer's theme song...
I was taught by a teacher in 10th grade that had many of these same ideas. She was a short, fiery, redheaded English teacher. Each year she would assign a group project to help her students learn grammar rules. The project was to pick a commonly known theme song of a popular television show and change the lyrics to teach a grammar rule. We then had to present the song to the class and be judged. Every member of the winning group won a candy bar. My group was determined to win that candy, and we did. In fact to this day, I still remember (about 8 years later) our song on indirect objects and object complements. I've even included some of the lyrics for those interested in learning some grammar. Just imagine they are being sung to the tune of the Cheer's theme song...
"The indirect object tells to or for whom the actions being done
and when it's in a sentence you know it's the only one,
because there won't be an O.C.
'He painted me the house blue.' won't ever be true,
because the poor O.C. doesn't have a clue
so take out the O.C. or I.O.
...(now here comes the chorus)...
The O.C. wants to go
where the sentence wants it there
When there's an I.O. he can't be there,
because the object complement and indirect object
and when it's in a sentence you know it's the only one,
because there won't be an O.C.
'He painted me the house blue.' won't ever be true,
because the poor O.C. doesn't have a clue
so take out the O.C. or I.O.
...(now here comes the chorus)...
The O.C. wants to go
where the sentence wants it there
When there's an I.O. he can't be there,
because the object complement and indirect object
the two they never make a pair."
The activity was cooperative, social, interesting, creative, and obviously effective.
So that is where the idea for this M&M blog came about. I wanted to see what other teachers & researchers had to say about music in schools and classrooms. I wanted to know whether studies agreed with my theory that music could be a powerful tool for students. I wanted to learn how teachers could use this tool.
My research confirmed many of the things I was thinking. It showed me that I'm certainly not the only one to see a need for using music in the class. An article I read on Joan Munro, a reading specialist at Worcester Elementary School, explained how the use of music really made content come alive to students. "Music helps lift reading off the paper...[and is] almost an anchor to hold on to," says Munro. The author further explained, "the same way a song sticks in the memory long after facts have faded, the words connected to melodies stayed with the young readers." And music doesn't just help with reading comprehension. "[Munro's] research joins a growing body of work that in recent years has linked music to math scores, reasoning skills, brain development and intelligence." That is exactly what I want to delve into in this blog. In the next few weeks, I'll mainly be discussing...
My research confirmed many of the things I was thinking. It showed me that I'm certainly not the only one to see a need for using music in the class. An article I read on Joan Munro, a reading specialist at Worcester Elementary School, explained how the use of music really made content come alive to students. "Music helps lift reading off the paper...[and is] almost an anchor to hold on to," says Munro. The author further explained, "the same way a song sticks in the memory long after facts have faded, the words connected to melodies stayed with the young readers." And music doesn't just help with reading comprehension. "[Munro's] research joins a growing body of work that in recent years has linked music to math scores, reasoning skills, brain development and intelligence." That is exactly what I want to delve into in this blog. In the next few weeks, I'll mainly be discussing...
- The advantages & disadvantages of using music in the class room
- The science behind this topic
- Practical ways to incorporate music in a variety of different subjects
This topic is so interesting. I can totally relate to what you describe about not hearing songs for years and then the lyrics suddenly pop into your head. I'm looking forward to reading your discussion of the science behind music as a memory booster.
ReplyDeleteLove this post! In the 10th grade, my chemistry teacher had us memorize the periodic table with a song, and it really did work! I remember singing it in the shower, on my way to school, etc. and without realizing it, I was studying for chemistry. I would be curious to learn more about how music can be incorporated into lesson plans throughout all subject areas. Can't wait for your next post!
ReplyDeleteI wonder if music has an effect beyond its use as a mnemonic. that is, does a childs involvement in a choir, band or orchestra influence,or even increase his or her cognitive facultites? I remember hearing that if you play music for an infant, he or she will grow up smarter, but what about the brain exercise of creating music? I have both memorized popsongs as well as band arrangements from nearly a decade ago. Are these things connected at all?
ReplyDeleteThat is a really good point Parker. I found a lot of studies supporting the link between outside/extracurricular involvement with music (especially learning an instrument) and higher test scores. I'm actually going to devote a chunk of one of my later posts to this topic. I think you'll like it especially with your musical background.
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy that you are covering this topic in your blog. Music's hold over my brain has always shocked me. Like you I find myself singing along to songs that I haven't heard in years, and with an amazing ability to name all of the US Presidents thanks to an Animanics cartoon episode (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vvy0wRLD5s8). Seriously, without that song about the presidents I would have not gotten such a good grade on my US History final (to list the major presidents and major events in order) the song saved my grade! You have also hit upon a target that I plan to use in our class Friday in 303. I have (am in the process) of writing a song to the tune of "Billionare" by Travis McCoy for remembering how to find the slope of a line. It is amazing the ability that music has over us and the inability that some teachers have with "putting themselves out there" and singing a goofy song at the top of their lungs to teach their students. It all goes back to leading through demonstrating: If we can't show our students our creative side, how can we expect to see creativity in their work?
ReplyDeleteI was right there with JS. The first thing I thought of when I listened to the girl singing was Wacko and the capitals of the states. When I think about it, I learned more about geography and historical dates from "Animaniacs" and "Hysteria" than any other place; those were our generation's School House Rock. What I think this phenomenon says about learning is the importance of making the information relevant and/or taking the information out of its preconceived context which in this case refers to "amelodic" facts. I'm intersted to see what you uncover about the disadvantages of music in the classroom, cause from where I stand, I can't see any.
ReplyDelete