Harmonizing Music with Core Subjects

This session will explore how a teacher can effectively integrate any of the core subjects (math, writing, reading, social studies, and the sciences) into a music curriculum. For example, a teacher could have math-centered music assignments (or even entire semester-long classes) that use algebra to analyze popular music trends, allow students to practice calculating pitches and intervals, or explore mathematical curiosities like the Golden Ratio and Shepard tones. Another music teacher might have students create Spotify playlists of favorite songs and analyze their connections to various social issues through paragraph writing. Through looking at these real-world examples and a number of others, participants will learn practical strategies for incorporating core subjects into music lesson plans in creative and surprising ways. By the end of this presentation, participants will gain a better understanding of how to use these approaches to increase student engagement, improve memory retention, and enhance creativity. The session will also include a discussion on how to collaborate with other teachers and school administrators to ensure that these strategies are implemented successfully.

In this session, participants will:

  • know how to blend academic content areas into music curriculum. By exploring real-world classroom examples, participants will learn practical strategies for integrating core subjects into music lesson plans.

  • gain an understanding of how to design and implement music curriculum that is aligned to the standards and expectations of core subjects across the disciplines. Participants will also learn how to create lesson plans that effectively incorporate math, English language arts, social studies, and the sciences.

  • gain a deeper understanding of how music can be used to promote learning, collaboration, and engagement. Through looking at best practices and strategies, participants will learn how to use music to enhance student interaction with the content of other disciplines.

Daphne Wright