Samples from the Smart Jams Math and Music Project for Elementary Students

Just before Thanksgiving break I recorded a few of the math songs the students wrote. Two samples are posted below, but first here is important information to consider if you do this project.

As I mentioned in another post, the songwriting was probably the hardest part of this for students. The second hardest part is getting them to sing or rap on the beat. In most cases we get close in the recording then I adjust some phrases in editing.

Here are a few other things to note:

• Students are not making full songs. We are doing short choruses. See my music page for full information on the project. 
• I'm still working on the background tracks and we haven't started recording any video yet. These are just quick audio files from GarageBand on the iPad to offer as a preview. 
• In the final version the chorus will play at least three times. A sample problem will be worked out on screen while the chorus plays to help the steps make sense.

Sample 1:  Long Division

Sample 2. Reducing Fractions