Top School Appropriate Songs

In today’s post, I am sharing this curated list featuring some of the best school-appropriate songs. But before we do that, I will share with you the compelling reasons why incorporating music into classroom settings can be transformative. We’ll explore how music enhances learning, boosts memory retention, develops multisensory skills, and increases auditory awareness.

Additionally, we’ll discuss how music can foster essential life skills such as teamwork, responsibility, and critical thinking through engaging and interactive musical activities. These elements not only enrich the educational experience but also prepare students for future academic and personal challenges.

Benefits of Using Music in Class

Using music in the classroom can offer various benefits, including:

1. Enhanced Learning: Music can engage students and enhance their learning experience by making lessons more interactive and enjoyable (Butzlaff, 2000)
2. Improved Memory: Music has been shown to aid memory retention (especially auditory memory), which can be beneficial for students when learning new concepts or information (Aiello & Williamon, 2002).
3. Development of Multisensory Skills: Music education can help children develop multisensory awareness and response to sounds, which may contribute to their overall cognitive development (Butzlaff, 2000).
4. Increased Auditory Awareness: Music therapy and exposure to music can help increase auditory awareness, which may have positive effects on reading skills (Roskam, K., (1979)].
5. Motivational Factors: Involvement in music groups like school orchestras or bands can instill a sense of responsibility and teamwork, leading to improved academic performance (O’Neil & McPherson, 2002).
6. Cognitive Strategies: Music may provide cognitive strategies for dealing with sound material, which could potentially benefit students in various academic areas, including reading (Alternmüller & Gruhn, 2000).

Habits of Mind Developed by Music

According to Hogan and Winner (2019), music education cultivates essential “habits of mind” that enhance both musical ability and broader life skills:

• Evaluate: Teachers model critical evaluation, inspiring students to assess and improve their own performances.
• Express: Students learn to convey emotions and messages through music, enhancing their communication skills.
• Imagine: Activities like audiation encourage creativity, helping students envision music and apply imaginative thinking across disciplines.
• Listen: Deep listening skills developed in music are critical for focusing and interpreting information in everyday life.
• Notice: Music classes enhance observational skills, critical for detailed analysis and interaction.
• Participate in Community: Collaborative music making fosters teamwork and community engagement.
• Persist: Persistent practice in music teaches students to tackle challenges with dedication.
• Set Goals and Be Prepared: Goal-setting in rehearsals prepares students for future challenges, promoting forward-thinking and preparedness.

These habits enrich students’ musical proficiency and general cognitive, social, and emotional development.

School Appropriate songs

Let’s explore this carefully selected list of school-appropriate songs. These tracks have been chosen not only for their clean lyrics and positive messages but also for their ability to energize, inspire, and bring joy to the classroom.

From uplifting pop anthems to thoughtful ballads, each song is perfect for creating an engaging and dynamic learning environment. Whether used for classroom activities, breaks, or school events, these tunes will resonate with students and enhance the overall educational experience.

1. Happy, by Pharrell Williams

2. Born This Way – Lady Gaga

3. The Sound of Sunshine – Michael Franti and Spearhead
OK OK by HOKO

4. Don’t Stop Believing by Journey

5. “Rolling in the Deep” – by Adele

6. “Firework” – Katy Perry

7. Some Nights by Fun

8. “Shape of You” – by Ed Sheeran

8. “Wake Me Up” – by Avicii

9. Good Feeling by Flo Rida

10. Life Is a Highway by Tom Cochrane

11. “All About That Bass” – by Meghan Trainor

12. Three Little Birds, by Bob Marley

13. Heat Waves by Glass Animals

14. Cha Cha Slide by DJ Casper

15. I Wanna Dance With Somebody by Whitney Houston

16. Praise You by Fatboy Slim

17. “The Weight” – The Band

18. One Week by Barenaked Ladies

19. “Here Comes the Sun” – The Beatles

20. “Free Bird” – Lynyrd Skynyrd

21. “Eye of the Tiger” – Survivor

22. “Just the Way You Are” – Bruno Mars

23. Girls Just Wanna Have Fun by Cyndi Lauper

24. “Another Brick in the Wall” – Pink Floyd

25. Something Just Like This by The Chainsmokers and Coldplay

26. Centerfield by John Fogerty

27. Feel It Still by Portugal the Man

Related: Top Royalty Free Music Sources for School Projects

References

Altenmüller, E., Gruhn, W., Parlitz, D., & Liebert, G. (2000). The impact of music education on brain networks: Evidence from EEG-studies. International journal of music education, (1), 47-53.

• Aiello, R., & Williamon, A. (2002). Memory. In R. Parncutt & G. McPherson (Eds.), The Science & Psychology of Music Performance: Creative Strategies for Teaching and Learning (Online ed.). Oxford Academic. https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195138108.003.0011
• Butzlaff, R. (2000). Can music be used to teach reading?. Journal of aesthetic education, 34(3/4), 167-178.
• Hogan, J., & Winner, E. (2019). Habits of mind as a framework for assessment in music education. The Oxford handbook of philosophical and qualitative assessment in music education, 202-227.DOI:10.1093/oxfordhb/9780190265182.013.3
• O’Neill, S.A. & McPherson, G.E. (2002) Motivation. In G.E. (Eds.), Parncutt, R. & McPherson, The Science & Psychology of Music Performance Oxford University Press
• Roskam, K. (1979). Music therapy as an aid for increasing auditory awareness and improving reading skill. Journal of Music Therapy, 16(1), 31-42.

Further Readings

• Ferreri, L., Aucouturier, J.-J., Muthalib, M., Bigand, E., & Bugaiska, A. (2013). Music improves verbal memory encoding while decreasing prefrontal cortex activity: an fNIRS study. Frontiers in Microbiology, 7, 779–779. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2013.00779
• Popa, D. (2020).Teachers’ perception of the importance of music in school learning. Educația Plus, 27(2), 117-124.
• Scripp, L. (2002). An overview of research on music and learning. Critical links: Learning in the arts and student academic and social development, 132-136.
• Swanwick, K. (1989). Music, mind and education. Taylor & Francis Group.