Whistle While You Work: Let Music Run Your Classroom

Music is one of the best tools I have in my classroom management tool belt. It is great not only for work time but transitions, brain breaks, class building, and learning new content. Sometimes I stream straight from YouTube, but mostly I use files on my computer that is connected to my Smartboard.

Think about it... how often do we have music going in our lives? In the car, working out, grading papers {ok so that's typically Netflix, but you get the idea}. It can change our mood, help our focus, relieve anxiety, and boost productivity. Here are some ways I use music in my classroom.

1. Calm Work Time

The most obvious way music helps in a classroom is supporting focus. We've all used calm, peaceful music during quite work time. It is soothing and creates a great backdrop to help kids focus.  Research shows music around 60 beats per minute is beneficial as that's a typical resting heartbeat. I tend to prefer piano or guitar. Here are a few of my favorites.

                            The Best Of YIRUMA | Yiruma's Greatest Hits    {My favorite}

                            Morning Guitar Instrumental Music to Wake Up Without Coffee

                                                   Happy Relaxing Guitar Music For Children

Aquarium

Want to sneak in some of your favorite songs? Search for strings or piano versions of your favorite songs or check out the YouTube channel Rockabye Baby for lullaby-sounding favorites like Michael Jackson and Queen!

2.  Upbeat Work Time

Sometimes, you don't want such calm and quiet in your room {what?!?!}. You want your kiddos to be pumped up and groove while they work. For those times, you need music to bounce to. My favorite strategy is to find instrumental versions of songs I like. Lyrics can sometimes distract from being able to focus on work, so having the beat keeps them going. Haven't you noticed you run farther and clean faster when you have a great song to pace with? Same concept. Here are some of my favorite upbeat work songs:

Smooth Criminal- Michael Jackson

My House- Flo Rida

Star Wars on Piano  {she has lots of videos available!}

You Should Be Dancing- Bee Gees

Take On Me- A-Ha

3. Transitions & Signals

Nothing works as well for signals in my room as music does. I have a song for everything we do all day long. It works so well because I don't have to try to get their attention and they know they have until the end of the song to be ready. There are some great classroom songs out there that sing about "Come to the carpet" or "Clean Up", but I like to use real songs. It's more fun and keeps me sane. Sometimes, I use the whole song, sometimes just part of it. Here are some of the songs I use for transitions in my classroom:

Clean Up Song:  Help-The Beatles  {"If you're finished, go help someone clean up!"}

Line-Up Song: Na Na Na Na, Hey Hey Hey Goodbye

Morning Greeting Song: Happy- Pharrell Williams

Family Meeting Song: We Are Family- Sister Sledge

School-wide Intervention Time: Try Everything- Shakira

Spelling Time: FunkyTown

Writing Time: Best Day of My Life- American Authors

Math Time: Eye of the Tiger

Shared Reading: ABC- Jackson 5

Rotate Stations: I use the first 75 seconds of Seven Nation Army

Mystery Skype Time: Final Countdown

Pack-Up Time: Can't Stop This Feeling- Trolls

Bucket Filler Cards {Read how I use those here}   One Day-Matisyahu

This song and video is SO moving. It sparks the importance of kindness going around and my class watched it at least once a week.

For anything else, there's always Kidz Bop!

These are just some of the examples of music I use all day in my room. Sometimes, I switch it up, but it's so helpful to have the same consistent songs. My kiddos know what is happening next when the song signals begin. They know exactly how long they have to transition and get any materials they need. Plus, music is a great relaxer and can reduce anxiety.

Obviously, as any good teacher does, be cognizant of your students and how they learn best. Not all students can work with music. Always offer work space alternatives or adjust if you notice that certain music is having the opposite effect you are going for.

I also strongly suggest using a website like ViewPure or SafeShare if you are going to stream your music. It blocks out ads and suggested videos. No one wants a loud commercial to cut through calm, peaceful working. You can find more of the music links I use on my classroom website.

What music do you like to use in your classroom? Feel free to share below!