“I do not believe it is possible to teach any subject in isolation.Genuine learning has no walls, & everything touches everything.” – @mamacita
The #MusEdChat held on July 19th, 2010 discussed multiple ways that teachers could incorporate other subjects into the music curriculum.
Teaching Music Across the Curriculum
Participants began this chat by defining what was meant by the phrase “teaching music across the curriculum.” To some, this meant to get the students writing about music in essay form. Others thought that it meant using information students are learning in other classes to teach music, thus drawing connections between all subjects. @JenOwen stated that teaching music across the curriculum means that,”Teachers throughout the school are using music throughout their curriculum.” Despite how it is incorporated, teachers recognized the importance of incorporating other subjects into those they are teaching. Music educators in this chat also discussed the need for music teachers to take the initiative in talking with other teachers in hope of collaborating on curriculum.
Subjects to Incorporate
Teachers discussed possible subjects that could easily be incorporated into music curriculum and vice versa. @ColinTGraham suggested, “History: Pythagoras, physics of sound, tempered tuning systems.” Math was another option. While music is usually incorporated into math through counting, fractions, and writing songs to memorize formulas, many participants looked for ideas to further incorporate music into math curriculum. For example, @MrSteigerwalt suggested that notating music is one way of teaching graphing. Foreign languages are generally taught in music classes. Students must translate words of expression that are generally written in Italian. In some choral works, students must sing in other languages such as German, Latin, Italian, and French. Computer tech can even be taught in the music classroom through software like Garage Band, Finale, and Sibelius. In addition to these, literature and geography were suggested as easily- incorporated subjects.
Potential Problems
Some educators expressed potential problems to incorporating music into other subjects and incorporating other subjects into music. Many stated that it would be difficult to get other teachers on board to cross-curricular collaboration. Time is generally an issue when teachers attempt to collaborate. Teachers felt the need for schools to schedule time for them to collaborate with each other. Many also cautioned that when incorporating other subjects into music, it is essential for educators to still be teaching music. As stated by @MrSteigerwelt, “If we spend all our time justifying ourselves as “cross-curricular”, aren’t we lessening music’s inherant necessity?” @jaydorf offered a great solution to this problem when he said,”A big problem with CC teaching is that music is rarely at the core. We can make that happen when we take the lead in design.” Other subjects can certainly enhance what is being done in the music classroom, as long as music is the ultimate lesson.
Visiting
Participants also discussed visiting other classrooms in order to collaborate. @brandtschneider stated,”We would learn so much by just visiting other classes consistently. Its not MORE work, just more efficient.” He also went on to say that not only do we get to see how and what other educators teach, but our students see us taking interest in the other things they are doing.
Show the Connection!
A point that was illustrated throughout the entire chat was the necessity to show students the connection between subjects. Music is connected to virtually every subject, but it is not enough to simply incorporate other subjects into the curriculum. Educators must show the students how the subjects are related. When this is done, students learn all subjects in-context and are able to retain the information better.
Please be sure to check out the transcript for this chat! In it are many great ideas from educators on how to teach across the curriculum.
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