Children Love Music!

Today I taught a music lesson that I was truly proud of.

In the year 4 class I am on Professional Practice on, I decided to incorporate the concept of using 'junk' or every day materials into instruments for making music. I used the video of Tarzan's 'Trashin' the Camp' video to demonstrate to the children just how many ordinary items can be used to make a magnificent piece of music. We watched the video through multiple times and each time the children were able to focus on different elements of listening to pick up different sounds from the music, and they were able to identify and record what they could hear and what object was being used for what sounds.

Next, we discussed as a class what sort of classroom items we could use to make a piece of music of our own. Having this discussion I found that all of the class were eager to participate and give answers such as using desks as drums, the Velcro on shoes, clicking pens, ripping paper and many other suggestions. What was the most significant and interesting part for me however was the involvement of ALL the children.

- children of all abilities, and all levels of musical interest were itching to put forward their answers, and upon reflection I realise it is because of this new way of making music accessible to the children that they felt so confident to answer: because there was no wrong answer! In so many other subjects, the class were so caught up with having the right answer, or answering in the right way; and even myself I missed the point of really having a discussion with the pupils, and allowing myself to learn and be surprised with them. The activity allowed the children to be fully creative in their thinking after being released to find their own object I was happy to see mixed abilities helping each other; and especially children who usually do not use their voice in class or are very shy when answering questions.

I feel that I saw a very different, POSITIVE view of the class today, and I really want to carry this atmosphere on into my remaining days with the children; but also with the next classes that I teach. I feel that music brought a new side that even the children did not realise, and it was a great pleasure to see them engaging in the curriculum in such a positive, inclusive way.

JACKBAUER137, 2015. Tarzan- Trashin' the Camp (1080p) [online video]. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-VqEnvDKbw