Erzsie MERA
Honoring the rhythm children bring to the classroom. Bridging research to best practices
Tag: music
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Your heart already knows the beat
Before a child ever sets foot in a music classroom, their body has already been keeping a beat for their entire life. Lub-dub. Lub-dub. Lub-dub. For students who struggle to find and maintain an external beat — including those with ADHD, dyslexia, autism, or sensory processing differences — this is a powerful starting point: rhythm… Read.
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The Research Waiting at the Finish Line: On staying focused now so I can show up fully later
There is something quietly thrilling about knowing what comes next.I am currently in one of the more suspended moments of doctoral lifewaiting on final edits from my dissertation chair on Chapter 3 while preparing my proposal presentation for my committee. Four more weeks of this phase, and then, if all goes as planned, I move… Read.
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The Power of Connection: Conversations That Shape Future Research
Sometimes the most valuable part of research isn’t what you find in journals—it’s what you discover in conversation. Over the past few weeks, I’ve connected with two remarkable colleagues: Mindy Peterson, whose podcast Music Education Conversations amplifies voices across our field, and Sue Newman, co-founder of Boogie Mites in the UK, who’s built a business… Read.
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Hitting the Wrong Note: Problematic Approaches in Teaching Music to Autistic Kids
Traditional music education often fails autistic students by focusing too narrowly on skills like note-matching, rather than fostering genuine musical engagement. This post examines the case of an autistic child instructed to match notes while classmates explored musical expression, highlighting how such rigid pedagogy overlooks autistic students’ unique strengths and needs. Inclusive practices allowing varied… Read.
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The reason for music
In this new blog, I talk about how #Music is woven into human #culture & #experience. More than pleasant sound, it shapes #cognitive #social #emotional growth from young age. Discover profound ways #music enriches lives: #BrainDevelopment #LanguageFoundation #HealingPower #SocialConnections #MusicEducation Read.
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Healing Melodies: How Music Rescued My Mental Health
Music and mental health are intricately related. There is a positive correlation between music and improved mental health. Here are some songs I attribute to improved mental health. Read.
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The Beat Goes On: How Drumming Enhances Phonological Awareness
#Drumming enhances #phonological awareness by requiring children to recognize and produce patterns of sounds. As they break down #rhythms into individual beats and blend beats into rhythms, they practice segmenting and blending #phonemes, critical skills for #reading and #writing. Read.
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Lesson Plan (50 minutes): Beats and Bytes: A Percussive Exploration of Phonological Frontiers
This dynamic lesson integrates drumming to kinesthetically reinforce phonological awareness skills. Students drum rhythms representing rhymes, sounds, and syllables – segmenting words into beats and blending beats into words. The multi-sensory approach promotes literacy development through interpretive movement and rhythmic improvisation, aligning with music and ELA standards. Read.
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The Transformative Power of Music Education: Cultivating Appreciation for Life’s Artistic Expressions
Music education transcends mere instruction, nurturing a profound appreciation for life’s artistic expressions. It sparks a connection to the emotive power of sound, fostering reverence for the world’s wonders. Through discipline and collaboration, it transforms minds and spirits, guiding us on a journey of self-discovery and enlightenment. Read.
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Honoring the melody makers: Celebrating Music Teachers
Let’s honor the unsung heroes of education—music teachers. Their passion for both teaching and music leaves an indelible mark on the lives of their students. From instilling discipline to fostering creativity, they shape not just musicians, but resilient individuals equipped for life’s symphony. Read.
Erzsie MERA 