If you want to read more about why we should use music in all areas of teaching, read this article by Kathryn Masterson.  She writes about the growing body of research that links music to learning.  Did you know that responding physically to a beat has been linked to reading and writing skills?

I often hear teachers say that they don’t want to do something silly because their class will get too riled up.  I sometimes wonder why we worry so much about that.  What about the power of an excited crowd at a football game?  All the chanting and clapping does not lead to rioting in the [...]

I remember one of the first times I felt the power of rhythm in learning.  Some of you “older” ESL teachers may remember Carolyn Graham’s book Jazz Chants for Children.  You were supposed to teach your students English phrases set to jazz rhythms.  I actually saw Carolyn Graham perform at a workshop.  It was awesome.  I [...]