Math Songs Rule!

Math is full of rules. If you do not follow the rules, then your answer is wrong. Students cannot "get creative" with how they solve all number problems. I will concede that sometime creativeness is needed in a math problem. The foundation of any lesson includes time for the teacher to teach the concept. When I am teaching a math concept, like finding coordinates on a grid, I will show them first. Showing coordinates generally involves a large grid on the smart board with marked points and me running and jumping. It is very active, and I must jump funny because the kids laugh at me. Then we will find coordinates together on the board, usually with matching papers for them to follow along with. Next, I will have them put their toe in the water and have them find some on their own. Generally at this point there needs to be a shorter repeat of the process.  

What step do I take next? This is where I look for another way to look at the math concept to help all students understand. Some of them may be able to do it on their own at this point, but it is tenacious knowledge. They need a firmer grasp to be able to go home and complete these problems in total independence. Now it is time to bring in another approach. Howard Gardner states that topics need to be approached in multiple ways for students to have a full understanding as they work on having a disciplined way of thinking about a topic, such as math. (2008)

To help my students with these rules, I use songs in math. I am presenting a SOS, Spotlight On Strategy, for song use in math. YouTube has been an outlet for creative teachers and other educators to share their math songs. I prefer the songs on YouTube because they offer many aspects to understanding the concept, where some other songs are only the lyrics. YouTube songs are often catchy and matched to current popular songs the students know. This helps make it acceptable to like the songs, and students will share the joy of learning with each other. They have repetition of the rules built into the songs. The images match the rules, and to tie it all together, there are examples of problem solving built into the lyrics. So, linking this to Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences, the songs are reaching musical, visual, verbal, logical, and interpersonal learners. Clearly, songs reach a wider audience than just numbers on a board reaching the logical thinkers alone.

See my new Smore below, or follow the link for the full effect of what Smores look like. 

Or Go HERE for the final product. 

Gardner, H. (2008). Five minds for the future (Pbk. ed.). Boston, Mass.: Harvard Business Press.

Theory of multiple intelligences. (2014, July 17). Wikipedia. Retrieved July 20, 2014, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theory_of_multiple_intelligences