Before I storm in and complain, do ALL primary school teachers ...

[Spidermama]

... play music in the classroom when the kids are working?

My dd has complained of having to listen to crap music (eg - Heartbeat, why do you miss when my baby kisses me etc) when she's trying to get on with her literacy worksheets.

My ds then said his teacher also puts on music. (Different teacher, different school).

Also my ds who's 7 told me today his class didn't get their French lesson because instead they watched the end of A Bugs Life.

WTF?

I think it's along the same lines as using a TV as a bribe or a babysitter.

Greensleeves - How is it 'lazy practice' to use a non verbal cue to let the children know their time is up? It doesn't really take much effort to say 'time's up'! From the kids' point of view, the teacher talking can be a distraction.

I sometimes use music when my (secondary) pupils are doing extended writing - always instrumental, and always at a low level. It seems to work.

I'm not up for another night of slugging it out with the die-hards on here

I've given my opinion, without insulting anybody personally, which is what discussion forums are for as far as I am aware.

iirc (and its about 15 years since I studied this) some kids are proven to study better with music on- obv. not drivel, and not all so i would think a mix of quiet and music would be an educational bonus?

If I'd had music on in class I'd have been too busy singing!...I assume some children would lose concentration.

Not annoyed, just battleworn

You forgot to add "IMO", Malory. In your opinion my comment was way off the mark. I'm still entitled to post it, no?

I think I'll play the sixth form some Chopin when we study TB next week. Cross curricular and so dramatic with the thought of Poor Little Chopin coughing blood over the keyboard

Dh sometimes uses music in the classroom (primary school) but his use of it largely depends on what children he has at the time and what he hopes to achieve.

Sometimes an upbeat piece of classical or instrumental music for tidy up time, sometimes something more chilled out as background music when they're doing art or something that it won't distract them from too much.

I don't see it as lazy or bad practice. When used sensibly it's simply adding another medium to classroom life for a bit of variety and enjoyment.

However, dvds of A Bug's Life...

agree with MB - I have vague memories of research where playing classical music to schoolkids seems to be "a good thing".

I like your cross curricular justification for Chopin MB!

I did play them some instrumental Ry Couder not that long ago when they had a test. But that was to piss off the heavy Metal 'Dudes' in the class who confuse 'flash' with excellence

Don't know if htey have it in ds1's class but I do know they have 'wake up and shake up' before they start any work. When I was in helping last week it was to 'Rock, DJ' by Robbie Williams - the kids LOVED it and were belting out the words as they danced!

2 minutes later there was complete silence as they were getting out their numeracy work.

I do sometimes put music on....not during literacy or numeracy though. Sometimes topic music. mostly classical but some pop, jazz etc - different genres. Part of their musical education

You see that sounds fine gobble but in the scenario which has been reported to me the music continues when they get out their numeracy work.

oh god, heartbeat - that's criminal

Was it A bug's life or La Vie d'un Bug?

It's a Hollywoody, cartoon type film. Half decent, but not worth missing French for.

Spidermama, why don't you say something along the lines of "DD finds the music distracting, particularly pieces with vocals. I understand that it can help concentration/timing/whatever but could you just use instrumentals pieces" Don't utter the phrase "your taste in music is shite" though.