Supporting English Language Arts Standards Within the Context of Early Singing Experiences

Abstract

Music teachers may integrate a variety of English language arts content standards into their curriculum to enhance students' music experiences while also supporting their language development. John M. Feierabend and Melanie Champagne's picture book adaptation of "My Aunt Came Back" lends itself to multiple singing and discussion activities that build children's phonological awareness, understanding of language conventions, and knowledge of word relationships.

Using English Language Arts to Teach a Song

“…Many music teachers feel overwhelmed in trying to meet these expectations of teaching another content area. Scholars have suggested ways to address these language standards in general music classrooms (Cardany, 2013; Darrow, 2014; Nordquist, 2015; Smith, 2014). ELAs consist of four language skills (i.e., listening, speaking, reading, writing) that share commonalities with the music processes (i.e., creating, performing, responding) outlined in the newly adopted National Common Core Music Standards (NAfME, 2016).…”