As a band teacher, I often discuss the impact music can have on our lives by making us feel a certain way, to help us express emotions, or even change our mood. I think music lends itself well to Social- Emotional Learning as we could discuss how students are feeling or what is going on in their lives and apply this to creating songs or listening to music which could help manage emotions. SEL is an integral part of education and human development which all students (and adults) need in order to develop a healthy identity, manage emotions, show empathy, and make responsible decisions. SEL can easily be integrated into the music curriculum by getting to know your students, asking questions about their lives, and meeting them at their individual needs. In the future, I plan to incorporate SEL into my music classroom by examining the power of music for social change, helping with performance anxiety, and encouraging students to set their own musical goals!
