Learning Legacy Through Music
Anne Hutchinson students learned about the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr while they snapped their fingers, clapped their hands and moved percussion instruments to a beat.
Music teacher Joanna Giordano presented the lesson the week of Jan. 17 following the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. Students watched a video that used colorful images, photos and music to explain King’s life. During one song, students tapped their instruments a specific number of times to the words, justice and peace.
“You learn in a different way and it truly taught us what Martin Luther King, Jr. did,” said fifth grader Nora Ademaj.
Each month classes study a musical era. January focuses on folk music and the students watched a clip from the 1963 March on Washington with the song “I’m on My Way” playing in the background.
“Music reinforces the other subject areas,” said Giordano. “The lesson puts what they are learning in other classes into context and makes their education more well-rounded.”
Students also discussed whether they believed King’s dream of equality came to fruition.