General Education Meets Music Education

Although it's easy to regard music as isolated from the general classroom, don't do it! Especially in an age when emphasis is placed on math, reading, and writing, music teachers can do their part to support the work that takes place in the general classroom. Actually, this work enhances the music experience. In my classroom we use Venn Diagrams to compare and contrast pieces of music (usually in a discussion of dynamics, instrumentation, tempo, and tonality). For another assignment, students listened to two versions of the same song and wrote a critique of their favorite versions (using complete sentences, of course). Incorporating different questioning techniques is also a wonderful way to encourage critical thinking. Have students perform a piece, or part of a piece, two times and decide which was better and why. Always ask WHY. Students won't expect the question at first, but they will learn to consider it before raising their hands. So don't be afraid to try different techniques, because you can help your students become better musicians and readers.