Music Education
Curriculum
Opinion
Does Everyone Get to Be on Stage in Student Performances?
Teachers are not always good at deciding who gets the spotlight and who is benched (or forced to stay home) when trying to present their best face to the public. Often, students rise to a special occasion. Can what's best for a difficult child also be good for his classmates, as they learn about getting along, performing and making music--a community activity? Could this be a teachable moment?
Social Studies
'Hamilton' Musical Will Make Appearances in N.Y.C. Classrooms
New York City public schools will use a curriculum based on Lin-Manuel Miranda's musical about the Founding Father.
Teaching
Opinion
In Praise of the Field Trip
What is a field trip's ultimate purpose? How will the students apply what they have learned? What are their takeaways? And--because these are the questions we hear most often in national policy discussion--was this content standards-based? Could it be delivered (and measured) more efficiently and effectively? Say, in a video or interactive computer game? I'm going to go ahead and answer that question: No.
Every Student Succeeds Act
Arts Learning Keeps Toehold in ESSA
Unlike earlier proposals in Congress, the new law includes language that cements states' obligation to support arts education.
Curriculum
Testing, Math, and Music: Top 10 Curriculum Matters Posts for 2015
Each year, we take a look at Curriculum Matters' most-read blog posts, and in 2015 it seems two major themes got readers clicking: common-core testing and math instruction.
Curriculum
Music Instruction Lacks Diversity, Study Finds
More than 90 percent of music teacher-candidates are white, according to a new study.
Curriculum
Nearly 9 in 10 Music Teacher Candidates Are White, Research Shows
Music teacher licensure candidates are even less likely to share their prospective students' demographic backgrounds than other teachers.
Teaching
Opinion
Four Tips for Teachers on Holiday Performances
School leaders can serve as models of inclusive and respectful citizenship—a more admirable goal than majority domination.
Curriculum
Grammy Awards Name 25 Semifinalists for Top Music Educator
Both public and private music teachers are spotlighted for this year's honor.
School & District Management
Opinion
Four Questions for New Teachers
Wherever you are tonight-- aspiring educator, in the field teaching, studying the field as researcher or teacher educator--it's really easy to push big philosophical questions away. There are hundreds of other things to worry about. But-- if you don't get in the habit of keeping Big Questions like these bubbling on the back burners of your mind, the magic and moral purpose of teaching will fade or even be lost. Here are four questions for you to consider.
Curriculum
Keeping Music in New Orleans Schools
In New Orleans, a state takeover of most schools ten years ago raised questions about how to preserve the city's strong musical heritage.
Curriculum
Music Class May Help Students' Language Skills, Study Finds
Students who took music classes developed improved and lasting phonological skills that can translate to language abilities, new research finds.
Curriculum
Opinion
Whiplash: Worst Teacher Movie Ever
Here's the thing: you can be a superb, meticulous, demanding music teacher without being a hostile jerk. You can also be a driven, determined, even obsessed music student, bent on creative brilliance and perfection, without being inhuman or ruthless. In a movie supposedly about "what it takes" to achieve true excellence in performance, we never saw Fletcher teach, or drummer Miles Teller's ambitious character, Nieman, learn anything about music via guidance, example or instruction. Everything that was accomplished happened via psychological manipulation: Terror. Lies. Tricks. Bodily abuse. Even, God help us, suicide.
Budget & Finance
EdWeek Commentary Weighs Value of Football vs. Arts Programs for Schools
John R. Gerdy, the founder of the nonprofit educational organization Music for Everyone, argued arts programs provide more educational value than football for schools in a recent Education Week Commentary.