Narrowing thinking

Grr times two = Double grr. The new buzz phrase in public schools is "narrowing the curriculum," according to an article in the New York Times. That means more schools, especially underperforming schools, are edging out the arts and music. Here's what leaves me multiplying my grrs:

"The survey, by the Center on Education Policy, found that since the passage of the federal law, 71 percent of the nation's 15,000 school districts had reduced the hours of instructional time spent on history, music and other subjects to open up more time for reading and math. The center is an independent group that has made a thorough study of the new act and has published a detailed yearly report on the implementation of the law in dozens of districts."

Math was never my subject. If it wasn't for arts classes, I likely wouldn't have developed the self-esteem I needed to tackle the harder subjects: like social skills.

The solution: I'd like to collect some of the great FOLS some of you may have put together over the recent years on how music can help develop math and science skills for the next issue of Tune In.

Send your thoughts and ideas to mmcginn@kindermusik.com