March is National Music in Our Schools Month, so why not mix in some music while you’re on the move! Walk, listen, learn (and maybe even hum along!) with a little help from The Walking Classroom!
Pick from A Patriotic Playlist
Looking to link a song to a social studies lesson? Familiar songs with some history (pun intended!) behind them can create some cross-curricular fun!
- “Yankee Doodle” (4-#57, Complete-#68)
- “The Star-Spangled Banner” (5-#64, Complete-#74)
Lesson plans will help you discover how “Yankee Doodle” has changed over time or how it is connected to George Washington! Follow up with an activity that includes some opportunity for self-expression!
Ideas are in abundance for “The Star-Spangled Banner” as well! Journey back in time to the War of 1812 to get some background on the origin of our national anthem. Then explore some classroom activity ideas. Incorporate video clips, or mix in some math, poetry, or art.
And if your crew is looking to extend their patriotic playlist, there are other ideas for slipping in even more music!
. . . or Travel Further Back in Time!
Introduce your students to some music from the Renaissance era and then explore other creative pursuits from the time with these podcasts.
- Madrigals (5-#27)
- Renaissance Artists (5-#25, Complete-#52)
- Leonardo da Vinci (5-#26)
First, provide background about the era, and let your students explore Renaissance art, music and dance. Check their knowledge with a crossword puzzle or online quiz! Next, build a unit on Renaissance music. Share more about specific styles of music, their features, and composers. Find some fun facts about madrigals or investigate the instruments of the time.
Mix in some art, with lesson plans about Renaissance artists. Or focus on the quintessential Renaissance man, Leonardo da Vinci. Add in a video introduction, and support your studies with an activity or two! Mix art, invention, and music, and mount your own invention convention, as you challenge your students to create an instrument of their own!
There’s No Striking Out!
Well, at least there’s not with this popular pick! Celebrate the fact that baseball season is right around the corner by enjoying a podcast all about the unofficial anthem of baseball, “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” (5-#6, Complete-#30). This is destined to be a hit with your “team”!
Written by Jack Norworth and Albert Von Tilzer in 1908, this song has been going strong for 110 years. In fact, its chorus is still sung during the seventh inning of many a baseball game! Focus on the narrative elements of the song, or go further afield!
For instance, you can use this song to span curricular areas with an array of activities. Or keep the focus in language arts as you incorporate other poems or songs about baseball (yes, there are quite a few!). Look for literary elements – you’ll find loads of figurative language in these selections!
The fun doesn’t end here. Be on the lookout for more ideas and learn about other timely topics in future posts.
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