Learning through Immersive Study

Abstract

Music educators are part of a team charged with nurturing the development of the whole child. This includes instilling in students cognitive keys to essential life values that will be drawn on through adulthood. To help music educators attain this goal, this article encourages the inclusion of contexualized music units—immersive studies of prominent composers or musical genres that are historically or culturally relevant. This article describes the process of designing contextualized music instruction and delineates how this instruction contributes to a sound elementary music program that allows teachers to educate musically and teach music as-and-for social justice through the use of critical pedagogy and interdisciplinary learning. Sample units and resource lists are included.