So I brought an old stereo into the classroom and I have had great results playing some soft music to students while they work. Everyone was on task and working quietly the day coming back from spring break. Anyone else ever play any music to help focus students?
I do on occasion and as a treat let the kids choose the songs (from a pre-approved list- lots of 80s songs). The kids really like being about to choose even if its not the "in" music.
ReplyDeleteI have used soft classical music for students based on research. I had one student to complain about the music. She was in the orchastra and played the violin. I think she merely wanted to be a pain. We no longer had the music because she used it as an excuse for not working in class.
ReplyDeleteI have seen other teachers who have used more contemporary music. They have used R & B or even allowed students to use ipods or MPS players in class to listen to their own personal music. Students were also allowed to go to a radio internet site while doing research while using headphones. I am not a fan of these techniques, but if seemed to keep the students quiet. Were they learning? Was there an increase in test scores? Now at at all. The students were quiet and seemed to be on task, but I did see a lot of time spent searching for the "right station."