My daughter loves that her teacher plays music in the classroom. She plays kids bop (and the like) throughout the day. I can see how it increases the students energy level and enjoyment of school work in general. I wanted to play music in my classroom but I knew my principal would NEVER go for popular music so I proposed classical. He shot it down immediately saying that kids become distracted by the music and it detracts from the learning. He said I could use it as a reward but not as an everyday thing. I'm honestly a little annoyed by this. I've seen studies that say that when classical music is played, it actually stimulates brain activity. Classical music can also be very soothing which can help with behavior management. And as I said previously, I do think it leads to more enjoyment of the school day in general. I'm curious as to what you think. If the consensus is that music is a detractor, then maybe I'll be less annoyed by the fact that I'm not allowed to play it in my classroom.
Why did you ask your Principal. I play music at times in my classroom, many other teachers I have worked with have done the same, our choice. Soem teachers play classical music (I do on occasion), sometimes it is just music that I like and want to hear. Sometimes it is for the kids, sometimes it is just for me.
A lot of teachers at my school play classical music while the kids are doing independent work- especially writing. I do remember hearing in college that it was supposed to increase brain activity. However, I will say from personal experience that one of those same professors would try to play classical music or "nature sounds" cds during our tests, and it drove me up the wall- I needed absolute silence to really concentrate and all I could focus on was that (to me) irritating music- and I was never a student that had attention problems normally. At one point, she'd asked if anyone had a problem with the music and I said yes, but was the only one who spoke up. She then told me if it was really, really bothering me I was welcome to just come up and turn it off later during the test. I felt too embarrassed to do that so never did. If I use it in my classroom, it's only when students are already allowed to talk or a time when there is already a certain amount of noise- not during times when it would normally be totally quiet otherwise.
In my school, no one would dare do anything without asking the principal - especially some first-year, non-tenured teacher like me. I can see your point waterfall about needing absolute silence but I would only play it during independent work and, honestly, it's rarely absolutely silent then anyway. For me personally, classical music helps drown out noises that shouldn't be there or are otherwise unavoidable.
I'm sorry to hear that. When I was a first year teacher I remember being taught 2 things. 1. You were hired because you are intelligent and have the skills, if you have an idea, go with it, if it doesn't work, trying something else. 2. Ask for forgiveness, not permission.
I've thought of playing music in my room, my P doesn't really care one way or another what we do as long as we get the curriculum covered and the kids are learning/safe. I just always forget about it and never have classical on my ipod. Classical music definitely helps me focus. I used to listen to that while I studied for my certification exams and other exams in college. I loved it.
I play classical during quiet independent work times, and I play other music during end of the day cleaning, etc. The kids love both. I had a teacher who played (classical) music during quizzes and tests and it drove me CRAZY!
I play classic music as well. Sometimes I just play piano music. I have several stations saved on Pandora for this specific purpose.
My son is an avid music lover, he is a singer and a dancer and loves to combine them in musical theater. In K, 1st and 2nd his teachers played music during seat work as well as to cue a transition. He was fine with it as a cue, he was first to move. However, as something that played during seat work it caused him to dance and sing.....during seat work! This was NOT a good thing. Many, Many behavior issues for this.......so please even if you do......keep in mind that what helps one person may not help another.
My principal loves my soft, relaxing classical music! I reserve popular music for Kagan activities. Sorry.
I try to keep a balance of music and quiet times. It's hard, though, because I'm one of those learners that has to have noise. For example, I've been in my room working for over an hour, but the tv is on in the living room and the radio is on in here. Both are low enough that I can't really tell what they are playing, it's just about the noise. I play a lot of instrumentals. I've posted the link on here before, but I have several of the Kagan cds and love them.
In my classroom, I have found that playing solo piano music (from Pandora) during silent work times keeps my room a whole lot quieter than if I have them "silent" working. It is definitely a lifesaver for me!
I would play music...usually something that went along with the holidays when we were working on a craft type activity where we were cutting and pasting or something like that. I agree with the couple people who have said that in college the profs played music. I HATED it in college our prof only did it during our tests (which was annoying) but the REALLY bad part is she would play music like Phantom of the Opera...for those who know the music it was so ANNOYING!!! It was hard to focus because my mind would try to sing along with the music!!! I would say if you play something play something that no one knows...
I play music in my lab when the kids are working independently. I often use it as a timer such as 'you have until the end of this tune to complete the exercise'. I have a 4Gb flash drive full of music (of my choice) Some of it is modern pop/rock and the rest is 50s/60s/70s stuff. Sometimes I let the kids choose from it like a juke box. Other times I may theme the tunes to the activity eg When doing 'Space' I will have things like David Bowie's Starman and Space Oddity playing or 'Walking on the Moon' by the Police. If we are doing geology then obviously 'Rock' music is on. The periodic table lessons may end up with Spandau Ballet and 'Gold' or Jeff Beck and 'Hi Ho Silver lining' Or The Sweet and 'Oxygen' etc. The kids really like the 50s stuff like The Chordettes etc. Don't know why that is but they often know the words as well!
My iPod is on shuffle playing every type of music you can imagine just about every time my students are working independently. It's not loud or overbearing, but there's almost always sound.
