Incorporating science in your elementary music lessons can be a fun and effective way to engage and inspire students. By combining music with science, you can help students connect what they’re learning in your room to their classroom. I take any chance I can to make cross-curricular connections, and it doesn’t need to take a lot of time! It really helps the students see music as something relevant outside of just your classroom. Here are some ideas on how to incorporate science and nature in the K-5 elementary music classroom.
Integrate Animal Sounds into Your Lessons
Children love animals, and incorporating animal sounds into your lessons can be a great way to capture their attention. Consider starting with some simple animal sounds, such as the chirping of birds or the growl of a lion. Then, use those sounds as the basis for a song or rhythm. You could also use animal sounds to teach dynamics, such as a soft purr for piano and a loud roar for forte.
An easy way to extend this is by talking about the animals’ habits, what they eat, whether they are nocturnal or diurnal, etc. These are all discussions that the classroom teachers would be having with their students as well, and it only needs to take a few minutes of your class. This can apply to plants, too! When we sing the song Apple Tree, we talk about the life cycle of the tree!
Explore the Science of Sound
Music is all about sound, so exploring the science of sound can be a natural fit for the classroom. You can use simple experiments to help students understand the properties of sound waves and how they travel. For example, you could use a rubber band to demonstrate how vibrations create sound, or a tuning fork to show how sound waves move through the air. You could also use visual aids, such as oscilloscopes, to help students visualize sound waves.
Connect Music to the Seasons
The changing of the seasons provides an excellent opportunity to incorporate science in elementary music lessons. You could create a playlist of songs that relate to each season to talk about genre and mood. Some examples could be “Four Seasons” by Antonio Vivaldi, “Autumn Leaves” by Chet Baker, or “Here Comes the Sun” by The Beatles. Alternatively, you could compose your own songs that reflect the changing of the seasons. Encourage students to listen for the sounds of nature outside, such as the rustling of leaves or the chirping of crickets, and use those sounds as inspiration for their own compositions.
If you’re looking for more ideas for having students create their own songs, check out these blog posts for composition for grades lower, upper, and songwriting in elementary music.
Use Music to Explore Environmental Issues
Music can be a powerful tool for raising awareness about environmental issues. Consider selecting songs that address topics such as climate change, pollution, or conservation. Discuss the messages in the songs with your students and encourage them to think about how they can make a positive impact on the environment.
Take Your Classroom Outside
Finally, don’t be afraid to take your classroom outside to learn more about science in elementary music. Students will love the opportunity to learn and create in an outdoor environment. You could organize a nature walk and ask students to listen for sounds they could incorporate into their compositions. Alternatively, you could take your instruments outside and have a jam session at the playground!
Incorporating science and nature into your elementary music classroom can be a fun and effective way to engage your students. By exploring the natural world through music, you can help students develop a deeper appreciation for the beauty and complexity of the world around them. So why not give it a try? Your students are sure to love it!
