How to Use Classical Music in the Classroom
Contents
A blog post discussing how to use classical music in the classroom to benefit students.
Introduction
Many people believe that classical music is only for “highbrow” occasions or for people with a lot of money. However, classical music can actually be a great tool for teaching in the classroom. It can help children focus, retain information, and even calm down when they are feeling stressed.
If you are thinking about using classical music in your classroom, there are a few things you should keep in mind. First, it is important to make sure that the music you choose is appropriate for the age group you are teaching. Second, you will need to find a way to incorporate the music into your lessons. Here are some ideas to get you started:
-Play instrumental pieces during independent work time. This can help students focus on their tasks and block out distractions.
-Use pieces with a slow tempo to help kids calm down when they are feeling overwhelmed or frustrated.
-Introduce a new piece of classical music each week and have kids brainstorm ways it could be used in different subject areas.
-Have students create their own compositions based on classical pieces they have heard.
The Benefits of Classical Music
Classical music has been shown to have a positive effect on students in the classroom. It can improve focus, concentration, and memory. It can also reduce stress and anxiety. Let’s take a closer look at how to use classical music in the classroom and the benefits it can provide.
Improved focus and concentration
Many studies have shown that classical music can help improve focus and concentration. One study found that students who listened to classical music while studying improved their test scores. Other studies have found that classical music can help people with ADHD focus better.
Some teachers use classical music in the classroom to help students focus and concentrate. There is no one type of music that works best for all students, so you may need to try a few different pieces before you find one that works for your class. If you’re not sure where to start, try some of the following pieces:
-Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5
-Mozart’s Symphony No. 40
-Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 3
-Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons
Improved memory and recall
Listening to classical music has been found to improve memory and recall. In one study, college students who listened to a Mozart sonata while studying were able to remember more information and recall it more accurately than those who studied in silence or listened to other types of music.
This effect has also been seen in young children. In one study, preschoolers who listened to a story accompanied by classical music were better able to remember the details of the story than those who heard the story without music or with other types of music.
There are several possible explanations for why classical music may improve memory and recall. One theory is that the rhythmic structure of classical music helps to organize information in the brain and make it easier to remember. Another possibility is that listening to classical music activates both sides of the brain, which may lead to improved communication between the two hemispheres and a better ability to remember information.
Enhanced creativity
Most people think of classical music as calming and relaxing. But did you know that it can also enhance creativity? A number of studies have shown that classical music can improve problem-solving ability and originality, and it can also help people to come up with new ideas.
One study found that exposure to classical music increased the ability of eighth-grade students to come up with creative ideas. The students who were exposed to the music came up with more original solutions to problems than those who were not exposed to the music.
Another study found that college students who listened to classical music before working on a creative task were more likely to come up with original ideas than those who did not listen to the music.
So if you’re looking for a way to increase your creativity, consider listening to some classical music!
Decreased stress and anxiety
There are a number of documented benefits of classical music, including decreased stress and anxiety, improved sleep quality, increased focus and concentration, and even enhanced physical performance. While many of these benefits have been demonstrated in scientific studies, there is also a growing body of anecdotal evidence from teachers and students who have used classical music in the classroom.
One of the most well-known benefits of classical music is its ability to reduce stress and anxiety. A recent study from the University of Houston found that listening to classical music significantly reduced stress levels in a group of pregnant women. Other studies have shown that classical music can help relieve anxiety in patients undergoing MRI scans, and that it can even help reduce stress in prison inmates.
While the exact mechanisms behind the stress-relieving effects of classical music are not fully understood, it is thought that the slow, repetitive nature of much classical music helps to trigger the release of dopamine, a “feel good” chemical in the brain. Classical music has also been shown to slow heart rate and breathing, both of which are hallmarks of relaxation.
How to Use Classical Music in the Classroom
Classical music has been shown to have positive effects on the brain and can be used to improve focus and concentration. It can also be used to calm and relax students who are feeling stressed. If you’re looking for ways to incorporate classical music into your classroom, here are a few ideas.
As background music
Background music can be used in a number of ways in the classroom. It can help to set the tone for a lesson, provide a backdrop for independent work, or simply help to create a calm and relaxed atmosphere.
There are a few things to consider when using background music in the classroom:
-The volume should be low enough that it doesn’t interfere with the teacher’s voice or student concentration.
-The piece should be appropriate for the age group and subject matter.
-If possible, choose a piece with little or no lyrics, as lyrics can be distracting.
Here are a few ideas for using background music in the classroom:
-Play calm, classical music during independent work or when students are completing tasks that require concentration.
-Choose upbeat classical pieces for active activities such as movement breaks or group work.
-Use classical music from different periods and cultures to introduce new topics or themes.
-Create a playlist of your students’ favorite classical pieces to use during transition times or at the end of the day.
As a focus tool
When you want your students to really focus on their work, classical music can be a great tool. The steady beat and lack of lyrics can help pupils to concentrate, and there are even some studies that suggest that certain types of classical music can actually help to improve memory retention. Of course, not all students will react in the same way to music, so it’s important to experiment a little bit to see what works best in your classroom. You might want to try playing different pieces of music at different times of the day, or on different days of the week, to see what has the most positive effect on your students’ focus.
As a memory aid
Research has shown that classical music can improve memory, concentration and focus. One study showed that students who listened to classical music while studying scored higher on tests than those who didn’t listen to music at all.
There are a few theories about why this happens. One is that the rhythm of classical music is similar to the rhythm of the brainwaves associated with peak concentration. Another theory is that the structure of classical music — its repetition of themes and motifs — makes it easier for the brain to process and remember information.
Whatever the reason, there’s no doubt that classical music can be a valuable tool in the classroom. If you’re looking for ways to incorporate it into your lesson plans, here are a few ideas:
-Use classical music as background ambiance while students are working on individual or group projects.
-Play a piece of classical music before a test or quiz to help students focus and calm their nerves.
-Create a “memory walk” around the school or neighborhood, stopping at different locations to listen to a different piece of classical music each time. As you listen, brainstorm things that you associate with each piece (e.g., feelings, images, colors, etc.). This activity can be done individually, in small groups or as a class.
-Have students create their own pieces of “background ambiance” by composing short pieces of instrumental music using only one or two instruments.
Conclusion
The use of classical music in the classroom can be a powerful tool to help students concentrate, focus and feel calm. It can also be used to provide a positive and relaxed learning environment. As with any type of music, it is important to select the right pieces tomatch the mood and needs of the students.
