Using music to enhance a fifth-grade classroom community

This Capstone addresses the desire to incorporate more music into a fifth-grade classroom. The author describes the importance of music in her life, and wishes to share her love of music with her students. The literature review examines current research regarding the effects music has on the brain. It also examines the concepts of incorporating music with literacy, mathematics science, and social science lessons. Following analysis of the research regarding the use of music to enhance self-esteem with students at-risk, the author discovers a connection between using music to build a community of learners and the character education program entitled Responsive Classroom. Upon noticing a lack of music exampled within the Responsive Classroom curriculum, the author compiles a list of age-appropriate music greetings, songs, and games to be used within the Morning Meeting design