Problem Solving
Problems – we all have them! The important thing is learning how to work through our problems and take steps to solve them.
Each school year, I spend two weeks in my classroom singing and discussing the super power word “Problem Solving”. At the beginning of music class, we sing the song “Problem Solving” and discuss the Professor problem mentioned in the song. Next, we discuss problems that we have in my classroom and in our school. The three major problems that seem to arise in every elementary school that I’ve work in are:
- Talking out of turn/blurting
- Self control
- Not getting along with classmates and other children.
All three of these problems can be resolved. It helps to openly have the children talk about each problem and what steps can be taken to change behavior. I have found that the children are very interested in discussing the problems and take interest in finding solutions to them. When the children start reverting to their talking, etc. I just start to sing the song, Problem Solving. Soon the students start singing the song which helps to remind them to check their behavior. The song is a good teaching tool, and can be found on my website store – the stereo track, background track and sheet music.
Johann Sebastian Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D Minor was my inspiration for writing the song “Problem Solving”. In my music classes we discuss the life and musical career of Johann Sebastian Bach. We also discuss what problems Mr. Bach encountered in his lifetime and how he handled them. Here is a link to a YouTube video about Mr. Bach.
Mr. Bach played the pipe organ and wrote many songs for the organ. Toccata and Fugue in D minor is probably his most famous organ composition. The pipe organ is an instrument that many of my students are not familiar with, but most of them have heard the Toccata and think of scary movies when they hear it. Organ was one of the instruments I studied in college, so I enjoy playing a few organ compositions on my keyboard with the pipe organ sound. I show the children a video of the largest pipe organ in the world in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Here is a link to a YouTube video. It’s an amazing organ!
Our town is fortunate to have several churches that have pipe organs. Sometimes I get to take my fifth grade students on a walking field trip to hear both a pipe organ and grand piano in one of the churches. A local church musician has been very kind to do a short organ recital for my students and they love it! He has a camera on both his hands and feet so they can see how complex playing the organ is.
“We have got a problem, let’s solve it! What is the solution? Look for clues, then fit them together like pieces of a puzzle.”
-Becky Muncy