Seriously, let's talk classroom music. This has been on my mind for the past several weeks. When it comes to teaching I have absolutely no shame dressing up as Alexis Texas (Hannah Montana's cousin, circa 2008) to teach second graders how to edit. C'mon, "Nobody's Perfect, You Gotta Edit!" Or getting down with my bad self to remind third graders their vowel rules. It's all about finding the right song.
So, I've been going back and forth with several songs, artists, and genres deciding what to use in my classroom this year. The last time I was teaching first grade, I had a whole line up of music for transitions. Love, love, loved it! I wish I could remember all our jams but, let's face it, I'm not a spring chicken! Here are a few I remember:
Handwriting: Crazy Frog (the previous year in 2nd grade I used Eye of the Tiger. Classic!)
Word Sorts: You've Got It- Right Stuff (New Kids on the Block- for real!)
Math: Get Your Head in the Game-High School Musical 2
End of the Day: Lean on Me Remix (with hand motions, oh yeah!)
Now, I feel a little anxious releasing our 2011-2012 playlist. I know the moment I press "Publish Post" I'll change my mind about one of my choices. Just know, I use these songs as transitions/clean up. Or, in the case of handwriting, they are used for warm ups. That being said, we do not listen to the song in it's entirety. I usually clip it to about 45 seconds or as needed. Here goes nothing...
Morning/Greeting: What I Am- Will I Am & Sesame Street
Handwriting: Jump- Van Halen
Daily 5: Beautiful Day-U2, The Final Countdown-Europe, Under Pressure- David Bowie & Queen, Get Ready- Temptations
Science/Social Studies: Think-Aretha Franklin
Math: I Like to Move It-Madagascar Soundtrack
Writing: Ain't No Mountain High Enough-Marvin Gaye
Goodbye: We are the World 25- Artists for Haiti (Hooray for Miley and Justin B!)
I'm not gonna lie, I was totally disappointed that Ricky Martin's "Shake Your Bon-Bon" was so scandalous. That was a shame. Here are some songs I strongly considered and will probably find some sort of use for in my classroom. The honorable mentions are...
Don't Worry Be Happy, Can't Get Next to You, anything Elvis, Ice Ice Baby, Stayin' Alive, La Macarena, and Respect.
What's on your soundtrack this year?
