Incorporating Music into Lessons

Whether you're a teacher looking to incorporate more music into your instruction, or you're a music teacher (like me) who's supposed to be focusing on other subjects, there are many levels of incorporation that may suit you depending on the circumstances.

I am a CLIL English teacher at Yi-Xian Elementary. CLIL stands for Content and Language Integrated Learning. One way to think of it is this: I don't teach students English; I teach students about the world in English. Naturally I have to introduce new vocabulary to them regularly, yet the activities and learning goals of each lesson are not the English itself. The idea is that students are exposed to English phonetics, practical sentences and context, and overall immersion from the many English-speaking teachers they encounter throughout their elementary education, while the focus is on life and science topics.

So I can't teach music specifically? No problem. Christmas and holiday songs are as popular around the world as Mickey Mouse and Pokémon. I can get on the piano and play some tunes like Jingle Bells and We Wish You a Merry Christmas. The kids are instantly engaged and sing along. And a video playlist of holiday music works wonders if I'm I'm focused on an activity in one area of the classroom while students are waiting in another.

Sometimes if there's a story I have to read to them, I'll try to find a musical version or incorporate a song or two that will get them physically involved. The Three Little Pigs, shown above, has repetitive material which makes it a good choice for setting to music. The kids were really happy to scare the wolf away. (Hurray!)

I was a co-teacher for the 4th grade music classes one year and was able to include some music appreciation and history into their learning. I introduced them to the composers of many of their favorite classical pieces, such as Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, and Chopin, while also learning about symphonies, concertos, operas, and piano works. In the end, they were very good at being able to tell one composer's style from another and differentiate between the genres. This was taught in English, but certainly music education!

Students also learned the fundamentals of music theory and were given rehearsal instructions in English. Often times after reviewing the terms, I'd pick up the recorder and join along with them in the back.

Hundreds of students have taken a lesson I created called "Going to a Concert." After they learn about different types of concerts and the proper etiquette when attending, students have the chance to learn a piece using a cup (while speaking the movements in English). Then, they star in their own concert and perform for each other! Rhythm is innate and universal, so there are no qualms about giving it a try. They jump right in, have fun, and learn some English and music.

Teaching vocabulary through song is nothing new; I'd venture all teachers have done it, directly or indirectly. For my particular situation, rather than finding ways to incorporate music into my language instruction, I've been trying to find ways to justify my music instruction using language goals. No matter how you look at it, combining music and language is mutually beneficial and worth exploring deeper.