Are there some CDs that you recommend? Some that your students love and you love? I know about Raffi. I am talking more soothing music, like background music and some fun music. Not really kinder age but 3rd and up? Thanks.
When my fourth grade students come in from recess, we turn on the "New Age" channel on Pandora. Very calming.
Enya is very enjoyable. In addition, my 6th grade students beg me to play Josh Grobin's "You Are Loved" after I played it one time and dedicated it to them, telling them they are loved by many people including their teachers. I will say, however, that it doesn't necessarily calm them down.
I use Pandora.com -- you can type in a song, genre, or artist and it plays things that are similar to what you typed in.
I like the "Pure Moods"cds and Enya for relaxing music. I also like nature sounds ...ones that combine water or birds with music. Itunes has radio stations for everything including calming music and bird songs (just birds singing and singing and singing). For more upbeat music I like Smart Shorties (math facts set to a rap beats) and Hip Hop Instrumentals (all the coolness of the songs on the radio without the inappropriate or suggestive lyrics).
I teach science and frequently use these cheesy songs in lessons. Some classes will even sing along! http://www.acme.com/jef/singing_science/ Otherwise when we are doing practical work (I think you call it 'lab') I plug my mp3 into the computer and the kids play it like a juke box. However it is mainly full of 50s and 60s pop music but they choose the songs and thanks to the power of TV advertisiang they actually know many of the tunes as they are used as jingles.
Usually classical (czacza - Mozart is my fav!). Opera makes them giggle, so I don't play that anymore; occasionally I'll play a show (they love South Pacific and Wicked); and right now, their favorite is Louis Armstrong. If they've had a really great day, done everything I asked, worked hard, and been (relatively) quiet, I'll let them pick a song for the last 3 minutes of class. Invariably, they go with The Jackson 5 :lol:
One of my classroom jobs is the music director, and they choose from my CD's during the day. They're favorites are Jim Brickman, Enya, and George Winston. I also have one called 'Positive Thinking' that is just piano, but very calming and makes you feel good!
Chebrutta, what grade is this? Likes South Pacific? I wouldn't have thought of playing Showtunes. CMW, the smart shorties, are these on CDs or on a station? I am not sure we can get a radio station or Itunes in our room due to firewalls on the computers. They block out so much good stuff along with the bad...
7th grade - I was kind of surprised the first time, too. I play my iPod through the speaker wire on my computer.
When I was in grade three, I brought in my stereo, and we listened to a special CD that I burned... it started with a few morning songs, including "Good morning" from Singin' in the Rain, and "Let's Go" by Suzie McNeill... there's another one too... I forget what it is though. That was my music for when they first came in in the morning. I had a short science song that I would play when it was time to get their science stuff out. I also had a few upbeat songs, and stretching songs for use on rainy days when they'd been inside all day and needed to get rid of some energy (YMCA, Macarena and others). I also had the Barenaked Ladies CD "Snacktime" which was great to use (especially during snacktime). While they were working, I had a Pachelbel's Canon CD that was wonderful.
Greg and Steve! I have quite a few of their CDs. http://www.amazon.com/Kids-Action-G...=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1272827205&sr=8-2
My favorite is Yo Yo Ma Plays Vivaldi. The kids love his name and I figure, Bonus! I'm teaching them a bit about classical music!
iI am looking for an Instrumental for Nellie the elephant and I wanna be like you for a school show. Unfortunatley Pandora.com is restricted to within the USA ONLY. Can you recommend any suitable website?
Currently we are loving Miles Davis, Curious George soundtrack, and a relaxation CD I picked up at Target. I also have a couple of piano instrumental CD's I put on now and then.
During "homework in class time" I play "big band" music (the instrumental versions) softly as background music. I play the same 4 cds all year. My hope is that they will hear this music so often that years from now, when they hear the songs, they'll know them, and be able to make a neat connection with an older person!
I have some instrumental piano music and a few soundtracks (the Narnia ones are very good). I'm in a Lutheran school, so I can turn on a Christian radio station during indoor recess or other times like that and not have to worry about what songs are playing.
Sghelly, You can download the science songs, they will play better from your hard drive or flash drive rather than through the net. I beleive you just right click on the song and downlaod.
Not that I have a chance to play music often for kids, but I love to play classical, especially piano & maybe some nice instrumental music.
I sometimes theme the music to the topic (I teach science). So when we are doing geology I play Black sabbath, metallica etc (Rock music). When we are doing space or gravity then Bowie's Life on Mars, Space oddity and Starman togther with the Police and walking on the moon, Telstar by the Tornadoes (for those old enough to remember) when we do satellites.
My kids love all the science songs on the Here Comes Science album by They Might Be Giants (they're PERFECT for 4th-6th grade... everything from states of matter to photosynthesis and the planets and sun). A lot of them also like the rap math/science songs by Mr. Duey, but those drive me crazy after awhile. For writing/quiet work time, I'll play instrumental versions of 80s and 90s songs by the Vitamin String Quartet. Our fun songs include Alvin & the Chipmunks, the Beatles, a small selection of current pop that is school appropriate (since so much of it ISN'T), and a lot of upbeat 80s songs that they know thanks to Shrek and Guitar Hero/Rock Band.
