03/1/2011:
"I teach music in an elementary school. It is the joy of my life. My school
is stocked full of all kinds of instruments from xylophones to thunder
tubes; melody makers to sound makers. The kids and I have a blast everyday
with these sophisticated toys. However, I never forget the significance of
the one instrument we all possess, our bodies. In addition to instruments,
my students and I enjoy singing and creating body percussions (snapping,
clapping, etc.)When we sing and add body sounds first, we play our
instruments and read music better later. It takes concentration to do it
all well, but kids grasp music easily when it is unfolded to them in a
comprehensive way that appeals to their nature. It is wonderful to behold
something as academic as music proving to be rewarding and fun at the same
time! Motivation is a huge factor in helping children learn, and a
teacher's pedagogy chops and creative practices go a long way in making
any subject fun and relative. "
05/14/2009:
"As a music teacher at an elementary school, I believe that music education
is an essential part of a well-rounded education. I think that we must
keep in mind that while a quality music program does improve student
performance in other subject areas, that shouldn't be the sole reason for
wanting to teach kids (or learn) about music. At the risk of speaking in
cliche's, music really is a universal language. Music can be found in
every culture, during every time in histroy. It gives humans the ability
to express what words cannot. While we may not always realize it, music
is as much a part of our daily lives as any other subject, so we should
want to explore it as much as possible. Don't misunderstand me, the
research supporting the 'benefits' to other subject areas is wonderful
news, but I think that if this is the ONLY reason to support a music
program, it diminishes the artisitic and academic qualities of music
itself."
05/13/2009:
"As a music teacher at an elementary school, I believe that music education
is an essential part of a well-rounded education. I think that we must
keep in mind that while a quality music program does improve student
performance in other subject areas, that shouldn't be the sole reason for
wanting to teach kids (or learn) about music. At the risk of speaking in
cliche's, music really is a universal language. Music can be found in
every culture, during every time in histroy. It gives humans the ability
to express what words cannot. While we may not always realize it, music
is as much a part of our daily lives as any other subject, so we should
want to explore it as much as possible. Don't misunderstand me, the
research supporting the 'benefits' to other subject areas is wonderful
news, but I think that if this is the ONLY reason to support a music
program, it diminishes the artisitic and academic qualities of music
itself."
04/22/2009:
"Music and Art is part of every culture and should not be optional in
schools. I believe that children who learn through the arts make better
rounded individuals. My son who is a 3rd grader is fortunate enough to go
to a magnet school in Delaware, where the Arts are a very important part
of the curriculum. There is one hour of some form of art each day (dance,
vocal music, instrumental music, drama and art), and the arts are
incorporated into all the learning they do. I feel the children who
attend this school thrive through this form of learning while also being
prepared academically. "
11/26/2007:
"many schools in northern CA don't have music or art programs/teachers at all. i hardly have time to teach them to read & write in English & understand how to read word problems in math so they will hopefully do OK on the STAR tests."
11/1/2007:
"If over 50% of the schools in So Cal don't have a music program, who is teaching this to them? Also, if teachers are being squeezed for time already in the core-subject areas, when would an average third grade teacher have time to teach music?"
04/12/2007:
"Thank you for such an informative article. I am considering piano lessons for my granddaughter, just about to turn nine. Your article reassured me that the timing is right.
"
04/12/2007:
"I have custody of my granddaughter who is a third grader and she loves the school choir. A couple of months ago, I started her in piano lessons. I felt that she should know what notes she is singing. It is too early to tell whether this has improved her scholastically.
I believe that music is a great foundation for any child to build their self-esteem and confidence.
Surprisingly, she likes listening to classical music because she states it is relaxing. "
