Milling to Music
Encouraging Brainstorming through Active Participation
Stage of Literacy Development:
Stage 0: Foundation for LiteracyStage 1: Beginning Literacy
Stage 2: Consolidation / Fluency
Ages:
4-9
Grade Range:
K 1st 2nd 3rdFood Groups:
Primary: Knowledge Building, Oral Language & ELL
Activity Description
Preparation:
- Select a piece of instrumental music
-
Display the topic
- Write the topic on a sentence strip and display it at the front of the classroom
Implementation:
-
Introduce a topic and have the students think about possible responses
- For example: Have the students brainstorm an idea for a writing task
- Play selected music
- While the music is playing have students move around the classroom
- Pause the music
-
When the music stops playing students should find a partner
- Students brainstorm ideas in pairs
- Continue the activity until students have met with 5-6 different partners
-
As a whole class share ideas as well as the experience of milling to music
- Record ideas on a piece of chart paper
Adaptations For
English Language Learners/ESL:
- Provide a list of thinking stems or sentence starters to help students share ideas orally
LD/Reading & Writing Difficulties:
- Repeat or rephrase the topic every time the music stops
- Prompt student if necessary by referring to the topic and saying a thinking stem
Cultural Appropriateness & Diversity:
- Select a topic to which all students will be able to connect
Differentiated Instruction:
- Implement this activity on a regular basis so that students become comfortable with sharing their ideas with a partner
Related References
Source:
Tribes Learning Community: http://tribes.com/
Evidence: Shoval, E. & Shulruf, B. (2011). Who benefits from cooperative learning with movement activity? School Psychology International, 32, 58-72.
Activity Objective
The goal of Milling to Music: Encouraging Brainstorming through Active Participation is to use a method developed by Jeanne Gibbs to foster thinking skills and the development of knowledge by encouraging students to share ideas and experiences related to a selected topic.
What You Need
Prep Time:
10 minutes - Select a piece of music
- Display topic
Task Time:
10-20 minutes - Teacher introduces task
- Students move to the music and brainstorm ideas
- Students and teacher reflect on experience
Materials Required:
Teacher:
- CD player
- Selected music
- Chart paper
- Markers
- Sentence strip
What You Do
Teacher Role:
Direct instruction:
- while introducing task
Facilitator:
- while students move to the music and brainstorm ideas
Supporter:
- while reflecting on experience
Student Grouping:
Whole class:
- during introduction of task and reflection of experience
Pairs:
- when students move to the music and brainstorm ideas
Assessment Ideas:
- As a formative assessment, use a checklist to track students' understanding of the selected topic
Quick Tips
Activity Extensions:
- Implement this activity during a physical education or dance class and have students move in a variety of ways
- Use this activity to review information or during a transition time
- This activity is a great icebreaker and could be implemented at the beginning of the year with a list of "getting to know you" questions
- After reading a story have students respond to 3-4 comprehension questions by milling to music
Additional Comments:
- Allow both students in each pair time to talk by calling "switch."
- Teaching and practicing new concepts through a physical activity is a fun and motivating way for students to develop their understanding of a topic.
- Milling to music facilitates discussion and encourages everyone to participate.
Other Adaptations/Modifications:
- Explicitly define and display 2-3 expectations about moving in the classroom
Other Recipes by this Teacher
Who Lives Here?: Building Background Knowledge
K - 1st
Picture Writing: Using Student Art to Motivate Early Writing
PreK - 1st
The Daily Five: Fostering Literacy Independence in Pre-Kindergarten
PreK - 6th
Mind Pictures: Promoting Comprehension through Visualization
PreK - 3rd
Community Circle: Fostering Oral Language Development
K - 2nd
