Title: Celebrating International Women in Music Day in the Classroom
Greetings to all dedicated primary school teachers! Today we’re marking a unique and inspiring day – International Women in Music Day. This day is dedicated to celebrating the wonderful accomplishments and contributions of women in the music industry, and it’s a fantastic opportunity to introduce our students to the rich tapestry of music created by women.
Here are five teaching ideas to help you weave the theme of International Women in Music Day into your lessons:
1. **History Tunes:** Begin the day with a short presentation on the history of women in music. Highlight prominent figures like Clara Schumann, Billie Holiday, and Aretha Franklin. Include modern role models like Beyoncé and Taylor Swift. Discuss their contributions and the challenges they overcame.
2. **Listening Party:** Play a selection of songs by women artists from different genres and eras. After each song, encourage students to talk about the music – the melody, rhythm, lyrics, and how it makes them feel.
3. **Lyric Poetry:** Choose a song by a woman songwriter. Read the lyrics aloud and discuss as a class what the song might be about. How does the songwriter express her feelings through words? This can be a great language arts lesson!
4. **Artistic Portraits:** Let the students choose their favourite female musician and create a portrait of her. They can use any medium of their choice – drawing, painting, collage. Display these in your classroom.
5. **Music Makers:** Invite a local female musician to visit your class (either physically or virtually). She can talk about her experiences, perform a song, and answer student questions. This will provide a real-life example of a woman making a career in music.
For book recommendations, I suggest “Girls Rock: Amazing Tales of Women in Music” by Hannah Ewens. Spanning different music genres, eras and world regions, this book is a fantastic way to introduce students to a diverse range of women in music.
For a song recommendation, consider playing “Brave” by Sara Bareilles. It’s an empowering song with a positive message that can spark an engaging discussion among the students.
In conclusion, International Women in Music Day is a wonderful opportunity for us to teach our students about the rich history and inspiring achievements of women in music. Let’s use this day to encourage our students to appreciate a variety of music genres, explore their own musical interests, and learn about the strength and resilience of women who have paved the way in the music industry. Happy teaching and happy International Women in Music Day!