Building Community in the Elementary Music Classroom

Building Community in the Elementary Music Classroom by Dr. Jenny Gee

CMEA Elementary Music TK-5/6 Representative

Welcome to the 2024-2025 school year! I am honored to serve as the CMEA Elementary Music TK-5/6 representative from 20242026. I hope we get a chance to meet each other and connect!

What is Community?

What comes to mind when you think of community? What does community look like in your elementary music classroom? These are just a few questions I have pondered as we approach the academic year. According to Merriam-Webster (2024), a community is a “unified body of individuals” or a “group of people with a common characteristic or interest within a larger society.” When thinking about community within our respective music classrooms, there are aspects of community we might consider: Do the people involved communicate honestly with each other? Are these people committed to accepting, supporting, and bearing with one another?

Creating an Atmosphere of Acceptance and Joy

We can start building community in our music classroom by creating an environment that is welcoming and inclusive. This could begin with a focus on joy and positivity, where every student is greeted with a smile and encouragement. A positive attitude is contagious and can set the tone for the entire class, making the music room a space students look forward to entering.

We also know that acceptance is key. It is important that students feel they are not only seen but also accepted for who they are. This means we can take time to get to know our students and their parents or guardians. Taking the time to learn about their interests, backgrounds, and unique personalities allows us to tailor our teaching to meet their needs and help them feel welcomed and included in the class community.

Building Relationships and Encouraging Communication

We can also model and encourage building positive relationships within our music communities.

In our role as an elementary music educator, we can show our students how much we understand and appreciate them. We can encourage our students to share their thoughts and feelings, pausing and giving them the time they need to express themselves fully. One strategy might be restating their questions or comments by saying, “What I am hearing you ask is…” showing that you are actively listening and value their input.

Modeling risk-taking is another important aspect of relationship-building. When our students see us try new things and embrace challenges, they learn that it is okay to make mistakes and that growth comes from stepping out of their comfort zones. This encourages them to take risks in their learning without fear of judgment.

Ensuring Physical and Emotional Safety

We also are keenly aware of the importance of creating a safe environment, which goes beyond the physical layout of the classroom. Our students’ emotional safety is just as critical. Our students should feel comfortable approaching us with their concerns without fear of judgment. If we can establish consistency in our routines and expectations, that can help build confidence and trust, as students know what to expect and feel secure in that structure.

Community-Building Activities

To foster a sense of community, we can incorporate community-building activities that promote teamwork and collaboration. Community-building games are also excellent for building camaraderie and help create a joyful and positive learning environment. These activities not only engage our students but also help them develop social skills and build stronger connections with their peers. Here are some of my favorite community-building activities to start the school year:

One of my favorite name games is Up the Ladder. Below you will find an example:

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RysGWu3MIUQ

Another great activity is Ba-Da Bingo!, which I have used with groups as young as elementary to adults. I place questions or actions within each square, and the point is to ask other people in the class/ group to answer and/or perform those actions. The goal is to mark as many squares on your Bingo card, with as many different names, as possible. You can create your Ba-Da Bingo! card on any number of free websites; however, I tend to use https://myfreebingocards. com/bingo-card-generator. Below are some examples of a Ba-Da Bingo! cards:

Another great way to include and engage every student in your classroom is to find yourself a ball of yarn! Let me explain - with everyone sitting in a circle, gently roll the ball of yarn (keeping hold of one end) to another person in the circle. When they “catch” the ball of yarn, it is their opportunity to share. Perhaps they share their favorite food, book, movie, candy, or sports team. We can also use this activity to review students’ names!

Using food partner cards has been a recent new favorite way of building community. Depending on the age level of your students, you can utilize these cards in order for students to share, build relationships, find partners, and so much more! For example, at the beginning of the school year, we might use these cards for students to share a bit about themselves. Some of those questions might include:

1. Describe yourself in three words.

2. What is something that makes you smile?

3. If you could have a superpower, what would it be?

I recently purchased these cards and they have been a huge success!

Conclusion

As we embark on the new school year, let’s remember that building a strong, supportive community in our elementary music classrooms is not just about teaching music—it is about fostering a space where every student feels valued, accepted, and connected. By creating an atmosphere of joy, modeling positive relationships, ensuring safety, and engaging in community-building activities, we can transform our music classrooms into places where students learn and thrive. Lastly, I would love to hear from you! My email is jlgee@sdsu.edu

References

Allen, T. (2000). Creating community in your classroom. The Education Digest, 65(7), 23-27.

Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Community definition & meaning Merriam-Webster. https://www.merriam-webster.com/ dictionary/community