Playful Centers in General Music

Abstract

Play is the mechanism through which students learn and develop musical ideas. Students need time and space to engage in playful learning, and a commitment to developing playful music centers leads to engaged students who are choosing what to learn in a low-risk setting. This article explores what playful learning is and why it is important and then dives into centers that have been used successfully in general music classes. Descriptions of each center are also connected to the National Core Arts Standards.