Submitted by Lena Williams, Summit Elementary School
Boyd County Public Schools
Grades K-5
Each January, students in grades 2–5 bring their Chromebooks and headphones to the music room for a special technology-based music lesson. (No headphones? No problem. I always have extras.) During class, I introduce students to online music-creation websites and show them how to navigate them. Students then spend time exploring independently before having the opportunity to sit with a classmate and share what they’ve created.
These lessons are always a student favorite. They allow students to use technology creatively, encourage both independent and collaborative thinking, and help students understand a bit of what a music producer does. Many of the websites we use: Incredibox, Chrome Music Lab, Groove Pizza, Isle of Tune, Buttonbass, Typatone, and BeepBox, are also accessible at home.
Not every child connects with music in the same way, which is why offering a variety of musical experiences is so important. Technology-based exploration allows students to engage creatively while developing confidence and curiosity. When students have positive experiences in elementary music, they are more likely to continue participating in band, choir, or other musical opportunities in the future.
