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For many years, arts education has been on the chopping block during budget cuts in our public school systems. What those in charge fail to see is how important the arts, such as music in the classroom, truly is. As someone who had a rich upbringing around music, theatre, and art, I can attest to their necessity. Enough research has been completed on the subject that the question of its validity should not remain. Various studies have been done on the effects of music on brain development. It is not simply about playing music in the background while another activity is taking place, but the actual participation in singing or playing an instrument. Utilizing songs in lesson planning can also instill the love of the arts in a child or bring a child’s talent to the surface. Not only that, but music can be the focal point for so many different subject areas such as history, language arts, and reading skills. By introducing a song into the classroom, a discussion could be had on its historical content, the origin of its language, and the rhythm of the piece which can also be found in poetry. Songs in the classroom can be used as a memorization tool by following that rhythm and understanding how it flows. The songs can also be used as a lead-in for a larger activity, or simply used to engage the attention of the pupils. The possible benefits of music in the classroom are endless, and they’re even more so in a language classroom. The language contained in songs is typically authentic, and a great representation of what an ESL educator should be trying to communicate, and they can greatly expand a student’s vocabulary. The students learn to mimic the words and sounds that they hear which make it easier for them to retain pronunciation. The Alphabet Song is a perfect example of how music heightens the learning environment. It is repetitive, fun, and necessary for those students who are learning English as a second language. The song gives the students a great foundation in language learning. The songs can be used in conjunction with a gap fill, word search, or bingo activity, or a small group discussion about the theme. Lyrics to songs are easily interchangeable in the classroom setting and can be customized based on the lesson that is currently being taught. At this point, it cannot just be about including music in the classroom but using that music as a relevant teaching tool. The variety of songs that exist make it easy for an educator to fit a song into a required activity time during the lesson. The television program Sesame Street has been using music to engage young minds for decades. Music is fun, vibrant, exciting, and it can engage students who may have been harder to reach before. Learning a new language can be difficult at any age. Music can be a tool that allows a student to excel in that area. A simple song can afford them the opportunity to shine.
