A Thinking Classroom makes effective use of music. Songs, tunes and sounds can be used to:

• Time activities (e.g. a 1 minute piece of music for tidying up; a 2 minute piece for group talk time)
  
  
• Deliver instructions (e.g. small hand-bell meaning ‘line up please’)
  
  
• Set the mood (e.g. relaxation music to calm learners down or dance music to energise them)
  
  
• Accompany learning - research has shown that some pieces (Mozart/Bach) may have positive physiological effects (lower blood pressure, pulse) which can contribute to readiness for learning
  
  
• As a vehicle for learning (e.g. using songs to deliver content and for learners to express knowledge)
  
  
• As feedback (e.g. a major chord for approval; a minor chord for improvement needed)
  

There are strong neurological links between music and mathematics, and between music and emotion.

Though do remember that the use of music can depend on learners’ preferences and on the type of task.

Try out different music in your classroom to meet different needs; ask the children what they think; see if learning and behaviour are affected. The use of music will be different for every class and every teacher.