Music & Movement in STR2EAM Learning

    Music and movement are two components that elevate a lesson plan by getting children and teachers moving and expressing themselves in a healthy and engaging way. These techniques to introduce STR2EAM (science, technology, reading, religion, engineering, art, and mathematics) concepts help children comprehend information and master new skills. 

    The STR2EAM article, Music, Movement, and Make-Believe in the Preschool Classroom, offers information on children's attraction to the performing arts and ways teachers can provide and expand on these experiences. This article is a great reference- it suggests fun and unique ways to incorporate music into the classroom, like singing while zipping up coats or making up a silly song while passing out snacks. I rate Music, Movement, and Make Believe in the Preschool Classroom a five out of five stars for the thoughtful and age-appropriate extension activities and musical events suggested in the article. This is a great place to start when planning or introducing music and movement into the preschool classroom. One of my favorite activities suggested in the article is "Take your cues from the children. Listen to the songs they are creating or humming from familiar tunes. Reflect these in your choice of new songs to introduce." Teachers can also ask children to help write lyrics using the tune they are humming. 

    Another way to introduce musical concepts and movement into your STR2EAM lesson is with Natures Jam's Preschool Prodigies Pilot- Sweet Beets- Rhythm Lesson and Song for Kids. The video clearly explains new terms and offers examples of beats, rhythm, and call-and-response. The age-appropriate terminology, visuals, and actions help children understand the vocabulary and comprehend the skills presented. Because teachers can explore a variety of learning domains and concepts through this video, I am rating this video a five out of five stars. Teachers can extend this activity by creat new beat patterns, hand gestures, and dance moves to coordinate with the song. 

    Music and movement are all around us and can be authentically integrated into all learning domains. Violet's Music by Angela Johnson is a children's book exploring a young girl's journey to finding her own sound and friends to share it with. She investigates various items and pretends they are musical instruments. Teachers could offer similar found objects into the classroom and encourage the children to make believe they are members of a band. This inspirational book is getting a rating of five out of five for its illustrations, engaging plot, and literary techniques such as onomatopoeia. You can purchase the book here. 

STR2EAM EXTENSION ACTIVITIES:

Music and movement are great ways to introduce STR2EAM Learning concepts. 

Science: Science can be included by exploring sound. Children can be encouraged to manipulate different materials and discuss the sounds they create. Ask questions like "Why do you think the sound changed?"

Technology: Children are exploring technology by watching the above videos and working with instruments. Instruments are a great form of technology because they enhance human abilities to create new forms of sound and music.  

Reading: The children's book Violet's Music by Angela Johnson includes the reading component of STR2EAM. This book explores rhyming, rhythm, onomatopoeia, and other literary techniques.

Religion: Religion can be incorporated through the introduction of character development traits like perseverance. Children must work through challenges and overcome difficulties to achieve a new skill, like playing an instrument or learning a new song. 

Engineering: An engineering extension activity that includes music and movement is creating an instrument from found and recycled items. Children can plan, create, test, and modify different materials to create the desired sound.

Art: Children will be asked to sketch out their plans for their instrument. After the instrument is complete, children will be exploring more creative art concepts by performing and playing their handmade instruments. 

Mathematics: Children will be exploring mathematics concepts like patterns using rhythm. Children can make their own patterns using beads and assign actions to the colors. (For example, a blue is pat your lap and red is clap your hands. After making a blue, red, blue, red, blue children will pat, clap, pat, clap, pat.) 

References and Resources

• Music, Movement, and Make-Believe in the Preschool Classroom

https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/articles/teaching-content/music-movement-and-make-believe/

• Natures Jam's Preschool Prodigies Pilot- Sweet Beets- Rhythm Lesson and Song for Kids

https://youtu.be/jz6yP5r0e0A 

• Where to buy Violet's Music

Musichttps://www.amazon.com/Violets-Music-Angela-Johnson/dp/0803727402/ref=asc_df_0803727402/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312087669297&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2368270029313471719&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9008494&hvtargid=pla-539881771082&psc=1

• Five Benefits of Music and Dancing for Preschoolers

https://www.nvrc.ca/notices-events-blog/active-living-blog/5-benefits-music-and-dancing-preschoolers

• Instruments to Include in a Preschool Classroom

https://www.amazon.com/TAIMASI-Instruments-Percussion-Tambourine-Xylophone/dp/B07W4H8N39/ref=asc_df_B07W4H8N39/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=366431065118&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=9031183403129268429&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9008494&hvtargid=pla-816412648518&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=77371437798&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=366431065118&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=9031183403129268429&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9008494&hvtargid=pla-816412648518