A sketch note on musical intelligence and its application for classroom instruction

Lalit Kishore, Jaipur / Kurukshetra, India

Key points

Multiple Intelligence (MI) theory of learning recognizes learner diversity in the form of a variety in abilities and learning styles as follows.

Musical–rhythmic and harmonic Visual–spatial Verbal–linguistic Logical–mathematical Bodily–kinesthetic Interpersonal Intrapersonal Naturalistic Existential

MI has the potential of designing instruction that meets the specific learning needs of students.

For classroom instruction, the common observation is that the musical Intelligence is an under- utilized that can be used to enhance learning in the students and help them to develop their right hemisphere of the brain.

Music-smart students are more sensitive to the following aspects of vocal and instrumental aspects of sounds.

pitch melody rhythm tone

When learning involves the use of music through above aspects, they are able to grasp subject matter and remember it well.

However, a subject teacher should stick to pitch and rhythm aspects to provide musicality to the rendering the subject matter in a sing-song way rather that creating music.

At times play soft instrumental music for a minute to create a calm musical environment.

Teachers can also create patter poetry of a few lines to introduce the subject or lesson for the day and render it rhythmically or ask a music-smart child to render it.

Converting a part of the subject into rap verses which are rhythmic, make use of slant rhyming and other language art element like alliteration, etc., can be helpful.

Arranging vocabulary into syllabic and alphabetical order and collective reciting it as ABC poetry can be tried.

Teachers may also ask students to compose a poem and thereby demonstrate their understanding of the concept that was taught in the classroom.

Rhythmic learning through rapping and pattern poetry and creating sing-song effect with little changes in the prose aspect of the subject matter to make it rhythmic and rendering can be helpful to quickly bring in musicality in classroom instruction.

Assign students the project work related to subject matter related collective musical performance, individual singing, playing or humming tune, composing raps or pattern poetry to teach through musical intelligence.