Schoolhouse Rock

Just because it is summer and school is out doesn’t mean the learning has to stop. What I loved most as a child was spending the days with my Grandma, which my brother and I now fondly call ‘Camp Viola.’ As a former school teacher, she made learning accessible and fun throughout those summer days so that when we returned to school in the fall we were ready to go.

Have you ever noticed that some of the things you remember most from your K-12 years were because they were paired with music? According to Darrow, Standley & Swedberg (2007), “It is widely believed that music learning, music reading, and/or music participation enhance academic achievement, especially reading and math.” I recently read an article which cited another study stating that children have the potential to be more engaged when listening to a steady and rhythmic beat vs. verbal instructions only.

It’s amazing the impact that music truly has!

Below, I’ve provided some fun songs/tools that you can use throughout the summer that are not only catchy, but fun for the whole family – they may even take you back to your own childhood.

Math

3 is A Magic Number – Schoolhouse Rock: https://youtu.be/aU4pyiB-kq0

History

Constitution Preamble – Schoolhouse Rock: https://youtu.be/30OyU4O80i4

English

Conjunction Junction – Schoolhouse Rock: https://youtu.be/8zFS7TFzlro

Geography

Fifty Nifty States: https://youtu.be/cE2RFiaf7Xc

Fun fact (I learned this song back when I was a little one and can still name off all the states in alphabetical order thanks to it!)

Resources

Darrow, A., Standley, J. & Swedberg, O. (2007). The use of music to enhance reading skills of second grade students and students with reading disabilities. Journal of Music Therapy, 44, 23-37.

Geist, E.A., Geist, K. & Kuznik, K. (2012). The patterns of music: Young children learning mathematics through beat, rhythm, and melody. Young Children, 67, 74-79.