Lesson 6

The topic of this week's lesson got me excited! I am a trained musician. I spent several years teaching private music lessons and taught music in a private school. The idea that music gives students an academic boost is something I have always observed. It makes perfect sense. It is exciting to see all the research to back up this notion. It was interesting to see that the benefits of music are often associated with stress relief, not just an increase in achievement or IQ. I have always viewed learning to read music as learning a new language. It makes sense that the same part of the brain is associated with language skills. The connection with math does not surprise me either. Music is half notes and half rhythm. Rhythm is very mathematical. Music theory follows very specific and difficult patters, which are mathematical in nature. Incidentally, my husband switched his major from math to music. He was one of the only music student in the department excelling in the advanced music theory class. Since we are both musical, we have given all of our kids piano lessons. All of my kids have done well in school. My youngest son is particularly gifted in the theory aspect of music. Not surprisingly, he excels in math. I've also seen that my two most creative daughters are gifted at playing music by ear. They seem to be tapping into the language and creativity side of music. It is a tragedy that music is not taught more in school. In my class, it will always have a place, thanks to my musical training. We sing a lot. It makes school more fun and helps with recall when used to teach concepts.