Promoting Sophisticated Word Use in the Elementary Music Classroom

2019 ◽  
Vol 105 (4) ◽  
pp. 28-36
Author(s):  
Ayah Rifai
Keyword(s):  
Elementary Schools ◽  
Music Teachers ◽  
Academic Language ◽  
Elementary Music ◽  
Instructional Setting ◽  
Word Use ◽  
Music Classroom ◽  
Grade Levels ◽  
Word Consciousness ◽  
Language Sample

Because acquisition of vocabulary has been shown to affect reading comprehension and verbal capacity, one initiative that has gained momentum in elementary schools is the promotion of sophisticated words across grade levels. Music teachers, like other educators, should provide a vocabulary-rich environment to encourage the use of academic language by all students. This article presents reasons for increasing children’s lexicons in any instructional setting and then offers strategies for inspiring word consciousness and integrating academic terms during instruction so that they become part of students’ quotidian language. Sample lists of terms are included.

Toward a New Vision of Equality: Perspectives of Male Teachers in the Elementary Music Classroom

2016 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 20-27
Author(s):  
Andrew Lesser
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Elementary School ◽  
Music Teachers ◽  
School Level ◽  
Elementary Music ◽  
Northeastern United States ◽  
Music Classroom ◽  
Geographical Regions ◽  
New Vision ◽  
Predominantly Female

Research concerning men working in predominantly female environments has suggested that stereotyping can occur when gender norms are violated, such as men teaching at the elementary school level. The present study investigated the presence and perspectives of male elementary school music teachers in specific geographical regions of the Northeastern United States. A qualitative analysis of six public school districts representing multiple states in the Northeastern United States revealed that women still hold a majority among elementary music teachers. Interviews were then conducted with three selected male elementary music teachers to determine if any of them felt discriminated or marginalized among their female colleagues. While these men did claim that their masculinity indeed caused various issues relating to male discrimination, all three felt content with their positions regardless of their gender identification.

scholarly journals Elementary Music Teachers’ Experiences Training and Collaborating With Paraprofessionals

2020 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-37
Author(s):  
Claire Majerus ◽  
Donald M. Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Special Education ◽  
Music Education ◽  
Special Education Teachers ◽  
Music Teachers ◽  
National Association ◽  
Elementary Music ◽  
Teachers Perceptions ◽  
Music Classroom ◽  
Teachers Experiences ◽  
Strongly Agree

The purpose of this study was to investigate elementary music teachers’ perceptions of paraprofessional participation in the classroom and to examine the extent to which instructors provided preparation for their paraprofessional colleagues. Five hundred and four members of the National Association for Music Education completed a 32-item survey utilizing a 3-point Likert-type scale ( strongly agree = 3, neither agree nor disagree = 2, strongly disagree = 1). Music teachers indicated that they need help with behavioral reinforcements and transitions in the classroom (e.g., entering, exiting, and moving between activities). They also needed paraprofessionals to adapt music activities for students spontaneously during class, but they provided little to no guidance or training for their colleagues. Out of 504 participants, only 8 (1.6%) indicated any kind of regular meetings with paraprofessionals and special education teachers outside the music classroom to discuss goals and strategies.

Elementary Student Attending Behavior as a Function of Classroom Activities

1977 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 228-239 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jere L. Forsythe
Keyword(s):  
Music Teachers ◽  
Elementary Music ◽  
Elementary Student ◽  
Classroom Activities ◽  
Grade Levels ◽  
Task Behavior ◽  
Teachers And Students ◽  
Attending Behavior ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Academic Year

This study investigated the extent to which attending behavior (on-task participation) of students in elementary music classes is a function of the activities in which students engage. On-task behavior also was examined for possible relationships with teachers and curriculum. A total of 262 in-class observations of 10 to 20 minutes each were conducted at all grade levels (K-6) taught by 11 elementary music teachers during one academic year. An interval recording technique was used to record the number of students judged to be off-task during a series of 15-second intervals. Symbols representing 11 different activities were placed on the form. Factor analysis produced significantly different levels of off-task behavior relating to activity, teacher, and curriculum. Such activities as playing instruments and singing yielded low levels of off-task behavior; students showed higher off-task levels during periods of “getting ready” for activities and during periods in which teachers and students were interacting verbally. A significant interaction occurred between teacher and activity only when the “getting ready” activity was included in the analysis. Off-task levels did not correlate significantly with the amount of time spent on the various activities. These results suggest that attending behavior is, in part, a function of the nature of the activity in which students participate.

Teachers’ Perceptions on Current Piano Use in the Elementary General Music Classroom

2016 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 23-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valerie A. Baker
Keyword(s):  
Music Teachers ◽  
Elementary Music ◽  
Future Research ◽  
General Music ◽  
Teachers Perceptions ◽  
Music Classroom ◽  
Teacher Opinion ◽  
Younger Age ◽  
Piano Lessons ◽  
Elementary General Music

The purpose of this study was to identify teacher opinion of piano use, the amount of piano use, and current purposes for pianos in elementary general music classrooms. A geographically diverse sample of general music teachers ( N = 189) completed a piano use survey. The data indicated that teachers felt piano was an important part of elementary music and that the piano should be used for accompaniment more than any other purpose. Pianos were most commonly used on a weekly basis. Teachers who began piano lessons at a younger age also tended to use more piano in their classrooms. Qualitative statements made about piano use were positive and enthusiastic. This study provides direction for future research in the investigation of relationships between amount of piano use and teacher variables, and the amount of a cappella singing in the elementary classroom.

Elementary General Music Performances and Teachers’ Perceptions of Stress

2021 ◽  
pp. 875512332110104
Author(s):  
Jennifer Potter
Keyword(s):  
Time Management ◽  
Music Teachers ◽  
Management Control ◽  
Elementary Music ◽  
General Music ◽  
Teachers Perceptions ◽  
Time Control ◽  
Elementary General Music ◽  
And Performance ◽  
The Impact

The purpose of investigation was to examine the perceptions of elementary music teachers concerning the preparation of elementary music performances and the impact on their perceived stress. Participants were practicing elementary general music teachers ( N = 3) representing three different elementary schools from a metropolitan area in the Midwest. All participants were interviewed twice over a period of two months via Zoom. Data were analyzed through an open coding process (Gibbs, 2007), which yielded three themes: time management, control, and isolation. Facets of time management included strategic planning, organizational techniques, and instructional time; control concerned scheduling, repertoire selection, equipment, and performance venues; and isolation pertained to relationships with colleagues and administrators and an overwhelming amount of responsibility. These findings indicate the importance of acknowledging various stressors affecting music educators and how those might positively and negatively affect teachers and students.

Perceived Factors Impacting School Music Programs

2014 ◽  
Vol 62 (4) ◽  
pp. 344-361 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos R. Abril ◽  
Julie K. Bannerman
Keyword(s):  
School District ◽  
Music Teachers ◽  
Music Programs ◽  
Elementary Music ◽  
Substantial Impact ◽  
Teachers Perceptions ◽  
Or Groups ◽  
School Music ◽  
Micro Level ◽  
Teaching Positions

The purpose of this study was to examine elementary music teachers’ perceptions of factors impacting their music programs and teaching positions as well as the actions these teachers take in response to those factors. The following research questions guided the study: (1) What factors are perceived to impact music programs and teaching positions? (2) What is the nature of these factors? (3) How and within what socioecological levels do teachers act on behalf of their programs or positions? (4) To what degree are specific actions, people, and/or groups thought effective in impacting music programs? U.S. music teachers ( N = 432) responded to a survey designed to answer these questions. A socioecological framework was used in the design of the survey and analysis of the data. Results suggest that teachers perceive micro-level factors (school) to have a substantial impact on their programs. Teachers’ actions were mostly focused on the micro level although many teachers considered meso-level (school district) engagement to be vital for maintaining or improving music programs in a given school district. Besides music-specific policies, macro-level issues (state and national) were not viewed as impacting programs in substantive ways. The further removed a factor from the micro level, the less impact was felt and the fewer actions were taken.

Music and Social Justice

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cathy Benedict
Keyword(s):  
Social Justice ◽  
Music Education ◽  
Elementary Students ◽  
Music Teachers ◽  
Elementary Music ◽  
Elementary Student ◽  
Teachers And Students ◽  
The Voice ◽  
Elementary Music Education ◽  
The Way

This book challenges and reframes traditional ways of addressing many of the topics we have come to think of as social justice. Offering practical suggestions for helping both teachers and students think philosophically (and thus critically) about the world around them, each chapter engages with important themes through music making and learning as it presents scenarios, examples of dialogue with students, unit ideas, and lesson plans geared toward elementary students (ages 6–14). Taken-for-granted subjects often considered sacrosanct or beyond the understanding of elementary students, such as friendship, racism, poverty, religion, and class, are addressed and interrogated in a way that honors the voice and critical thinking of the elementary student. Suggestions are given that help both teachers and students to pause, reflect, and redirect dialogue with questions that uncover bias, misinformation, and misunderstandings that too often stand in the way of coming to know and embracing difference. Guiding questions, which anchor many curricular mandates, are used throughout in order to scaffold critical and reflective thinking beginning in the earliest grades of elementary music education. Where does social justice reside? Whose voice is being heard, and whose is being silenced? How do we come to think of and construct poverty? How is it that musics become used the way they are used? What happens to songs initially intended for socially driven purposes when their significance is undermined? These questions and more are explored, encouraging music teachers to embrace a path toward socially just engagements at the elementary level.

Using New Technologies to Engage and Support English Language Learners in Mathematics Classrooms

2019 ◽  
pp. 549-563
Author(s):  
Robert Pritchard ◽  
Susan O'Hara ◽  
Jeff Zwiers
Keyword(s):  
English Language Learners ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
English Language ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Academic Language ◽  
Mathematical Practice ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Mathematics Classrooms ◽  
Grade Levels ◽  
Definition Of

An emerging body of research is demonstrating the potential of new technologies such as iPad and phone apps, wikis, blogs, podcasts and web-based editing tools for significantly improving the academic language development of English language learners. The authors of this chapter present an expanded definition of academic language, explain why these new technologies are important, and discuss how they can be used to provide effective and innovative mathematics instruction to English language learners. Three classroom vignettes demonstrate specific ways in which a variety of technologies can be implemented across grade levels to meet the Common Core State Standards for Mathematical Practice and Content.

Project-Based Learning

2020 ◽  
pp. 173-206
Author(s):  
Amy M. Burns
Keyword(s):  
Problem Solving ◽  
Learning Process ◽  
Design Thinking ◽  
Elementary Classrooms ◽  
Project Based Learning ◽  
Elementary Music ◽  
Music Classroom ◽  
The Core ◽  
Essential Questions ◽  
Problem Solve

Amy M. Burns presents the approach of Project-Based Learning (PBL) in the elementary music classroom. The PBL approach focuses on the students learning the skills of research and problem-solving by answering essential questions over a period of time. Burns and Cherie Herring contributed to the PBL activities. In addition, they also address the process of Design Thinking, where students problem-solve solutions using the method of empathizing, defining, ideating, creating a prototype, testing, and going through the process again to redefine and improve. Burns and Herring demonstrate how PBL and DT can span across the curriculum, while still keeping music at the core of the learning process in the music classroom. The projects are versatile and can be used in young to older elementary classrooms from one device in the classroom to a 1:1 classroom.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document