5 Ways to Teach Music in Low Income Schools

Imagine this. You graduate from college with your degree in hand excited to teach music to kids. Then, you get your first teaching job at a low income school, and walk in the first day where a majority of the kids don’t act interested in what you are teaching.  For so many music teachers, this is the reality.  The students want to learn, but music may just be unfamiliar territory for them.  This exact situation was my experience at my first teaching job.

The lessons and curriculum that are taught in some schools don’t work for low income or inner city schools.   Through trial and lots of error, I figured out what worked for my students and developed a music program that the kids enjoyed.  Teaching your students, no matter what demographic they are, doesn’t have to be a struggle.  You can teach music in low income schools and can be excellent at it.  I teach about this exact topic in The Elementary Music Teacher podcast.

 

1. Do What Works

You know your students better than anyone.  Other music teachers, or even former professors, will come at you left and right with what they think you should teach.  So, of course being the rule follower you are, you decide to try out these lessons.  What happens? It’s an epic disaster!  The kids make fun of the song, say the words sound funny, or say things like “it’s too country” and you leave school feeling defeated.  Trust me, I get it.  I’ve been there done that and it’s just straight up hard.

What do you do?  You do what works.  Go back to the drawing board and find what works best for your students.  If your students are predominately black, use a recorder rap series or find relevant music they are listening to and add movement to it.  If your students are predominately Hispanic, teach them about the history of mariachi and create instrument activities around that.  You will be able to create lessons that your students love, and through gaining their trust and them being able to find you relatable, you will be able to teach other content too.  After doing what they love, you can start introducing folk songs, Orff and Kodaly (with a twist), and solfege.

 

2.  Gain Their Trust

That same school I mentioned that was my first teaching job was 90% black students.  These students hadn’t had a music program in 7 years and really didn’t understand what music class was.  Yikes!  To say my work was cut out for me was an understatement.  The students looked at me like I had stumbled into the wrong building.

Using humor, getting to know them, and showing them love and understanding, slowly but surely walls started to come down.  Kids who pushed back against everything I taught developed into my strongest singers.  Those students who had discipline issues in other classes became some of my top students.  Kids who hated school and had family problems developed a love for music like nothing I’ve ever seen because music class was their safe place.

Be real and authentic with your students.  A lot of these kids live such hard lives outside of school, and music class should be fun and an escape from reality if only for 30 minutes.  Once you develop a relationship with them, you’ll see their interest in learning music go way up.

 

3. Teach With What You Have

Maybe you’re like me, and your classroom has little to no resources.  You feel lost and confused and have no idea where to start.  Teach with what you have.  If all you have are outdated music books, then use those.  Or, if all you have are two sets of rhythm sticks, then rotate those rhythm sticks so each child has a turn.  Eventually, you can have fundraisers or earn grant money to buy some things for your classroom.  But until then, just get those kids singing and moving and make music enjoyable for them!

 

4. Bring Real World Experiences to Them

Your school may not have a budget for you to bring a group of kids to see an orchestra concert, so bring it to them.  Go on YouTube and show them what each instrument sounds like and what an orchestra looks like. Then, play games after the “field trip” to make it relevant to them.  These 2 interactive instrument of the orchestra games are so much fun.  You see, learning can come alive in your classroom even if you don’t go anywhere.

When learning about composers (new and old) performers, instruments, or time periods, find creative ways to make these concepts fun for these kids.  Explaining the hard times Beethoven went through and allowing them to relate to these “presidents” (as my students called the composers) will have them asking you so many questions and excited to learn more.  This composer of the month printable will help you get started.

 

5.  Some Days Don’t Teach Music

I know you are thinking…what?! You’re saying to not teach music in a music class?  Here’s what I mean.  So many days, some of your students will come to school hungry, have just dealt with drive by shootings the night before, or are tired from watching their siblings so their mom could go to work.  Then, from that conversation, you will have many other students wanting to talk about their lives.

You’ve probably heard before that teachers are teachers, counselors, nurses, moms, and so much more.  This is so true.  Of course, you can’t stop teaching music all the time, but some days even though our job is to teach music in lower income schools, we just can’t.  If the issues are too much, of course the school counselor is always there for the students to talk to also.  So, take a class period off from teaching if needed, and jump back in with curriculum the next time.

 

What is it like for you to teach music in a lower income school?  Can you relate to my experiences?  I’d love to hear all about it in the comments below or share your thoughts on social media as you share this post.   

Also, I’d love for you to share this post or any of the resources on my website with a friend or colleague who you know NEEDS to see it.

P.S.  Are you feeling frustrated or stuck as an elementary music teacher?  Check out these free resources to help you teach elementary music with confidence!

Also…I wrote a book called “Make A Note: What You Really Need To Know About Teaching Elementary Music” to help music teachers move forward in your teaching career.  You can get your copy here.