LEAven Blog

Let’s face it: we’ve all had a song stuck in our heads before. Sometimes, it stays for days! Why not use the staying power of music to help us in the classroom? Music is a fantastic way to reinforce Biblical concepts and aid memorization. I’ve heard precious preschoolers recite not only “The ABCs” and “The Wheels on the Bus” but also entire Bible verses set to music! Their little voices filled with joy and understanding are some of the most precious things in the world to me. Giving students music to accompany the lesson is like giving them a spiritual earworm that will stay with them long after the lesson ends.

Chapel

Just as with adults, musical preference varies among kids. Some may yearn for traditional hymns, while others might find their groove in contemporary worship songs. You can embrace this variety of interests by introducing different songs. At my school, we have a schedule for when to use traditional hymns, contemporary worship songs, and blended services for chapel. No matter the week, it’s amazing to hear hundreds of kids sing out when a favorite is played. It’s also gratifying to observe students listening to songs new to them to learn them. All of the songs our music department chooses point to God’s power and saving grace.

Developing students’ musical gifts as a form of worship and service nurtures a garden of praise. Whether through school choirs, bands, orchestras, handbells, or other music classes, we help students find their unique voice in the grand symphony of believers. I’m blessed to be at a school that invites students to share their musical gifts at church and chapel regularly. In addition to having student groups participate, consider inviting your students to join the church orchestra and choir. It was helpful for me as a student to play in the church orchestra, and now, as an adult, I am especially grateful to have students play with us.

Devotions

In addition to singing songs and listening to them, you can help children understand the music. I remember doing hymn studies in middle school, where my teacher explained the history and theology behind hymns. Years later, finding my old worksheets from those studies felt like opening a treasure chest of faith stories. Each song was a living testament to God’s work.

If starting a hymn study feels overwhelming, try adding a hymn to your classroom devotion. Listen to it together, ponder its meaning, look up Bible references, and discuss it. These conversations can have a lifelong impact on your students, so embrace opportunities to share rich hymns with depth and complexity alongside simple songs that convey clear good news.

Incorporating music into daily classroom devotionals enhances the experience and makes it more memorable. It creates a rhythm of worship that becomes second nature for students, helping them start and end their days with a focus on faith. The songs you repeat might be what your students remember more than anything else, so sing “Jesus Loves Me” and other childhood favorites often. You never know when a student will think of that song later in life at a pivotal moment and be reminded of the simple truth that God loves them.

Core Subjects

In addition to using music to enhance our worship life, it is also important for you to incorporate music across all subjects. For example, I like to use a song to teach my fourth graders about the Scientific Method. Playing it before each investigation helps them remember the steps—at least more steps than they might otherwise recall! Multiplication songs help students remember their facts, and the states song is always a favorite. Using songs helps engage and teach students in every subject; it makes learning more fun and memorable.

You can also use chants in your classroom. Just like songs, chants help students remember key concepts. Consider using chants to memorize the order of operations or layers of the rainforest—any important facts! For early readers and multilingual learners, chants are particularly useful for reaching language rhythm, stress, and pronunciation. Repetition through chanting makes learning feel less tedious and more enjoyable, which can lead to better retention over time.

I also use chants for classroom routines. When students get a paper, they put their “name, date, and number” on it while mimicking my slight pitch change as I say it aloud. This helps them remember what to add while adding an element of fun! You can create a chant for any routine you want—like lining up! Start the chant when you want students to line up and remind them that they need to be quiet and in line before the chant ends.

You can even add movement! For instance, have students clap their hands or perform specific actions while chanting to reinforce directions or content being taught. In high school, I made up a chant with friends to memorize the Bill of Rights; we rapped it while using actions—and I still remember it today!

Whole Brain Teaching has some examples of classroom chants using motions. The Total Physical Response (TPR) method also encourages movements that match words. This method is especially beneficial for students learning a new language. I’ve used a sing-song voice with each of these methods, and my students responded very well.

I challenge you to add a chant to your classroom this week! You can create one yourself, find one online, or even have a student come up with one! See how engaging it is for yourself!

Conclusion

Embrace the power of music in your classroom! Use it to connect your students with God, each other, and the joy of learning. Whether through traditional hymns, contemporary worship songs, educational jingles, or simple chants, music has the potential to transform your educational practices and leave a lasting impact on your students’ hearts and minds.