How to make learning music fun for young school children
By Admin on November 13th, 2007
By Kevin Tuck
One very important thing that every teacher is taught is that you always need to be prepared for every lesson you teach. Of course, that is if you want to end the day in a stress free fashion!
A lesson plan can be very simple, and teachers who have been in the game a while can do it almost without thinking, however they always have to be prepared with something ready to do in their lessons.
In our area of music there are a few tips that make elementary classes much more fun, both for the students and the teacher.
1. Mix up the activities
There is a saying that goes “Too much of a good thing….”, and in teaching is is very apt! Even if the children love a particular game or song they will eventually lose interest in it, so make sure you stop while they are still liking it and move onto a new one.
2. Keep the activities short and sweet
Depending on the nature of the lesson it it always best to structure your lesson into short 5-10 minute segments. In a general music/singing lesson at elementary level you would normally start with a song or two, break it up with some percussion or rhythm work and them move onto another song and maybe a game at the end.
3. Break up the routine with something unexpected!
Its definitely a good thing to keep the students guessing about what they might expect next! You should always keep some stability of course, but you may wish to break it up by heading out to the playground for a lesson with some games, or visiting another class to sing them a song. Do something unexpected and you’ll suddenly find that some students really love coming to your class!
4. Have a surprise around every corner
Young children especially love getting a surprise! Get your students inspired by having a reward for the best singer one class, then the most well behaved the next! Incentive schemes always work, but mix it with surprises and you’ll find they’ll respond even better.
Don’t call it “work” – its a “game”!
Any activity will be more fun if you approach it like you would approach playing a game! So for example if you’re going to do some theory, just say: “Lets go and do some games on the board over here.” One small change to your expressions and what you say will make a huge difference!
Always have plenty of “spares” up your sleeve!
Whenever you’re lesson planning make sure that you keep plenty of material in reserve, and always have far more than you need for each lesson. You can always have a bunch of simple music theory worksheets copied and ready if you need them, and learn a couple of songs that you know will work every time.
Your music lesson plans will be much more fun and enjoyable for your students with a couple of these simple ideas.
Kevin Tuck is an experienced music teacher, having taught music both in schools and in his own music school business. Kevin is now editor of music teaching materials for the Fun Music Company.
