THE KETTERING CONNECTION - Lyle Doe / Featured Teacher!

Fun RRR Fact:  Kettering, OH is where it all began.   Ben and Robbie (RRR Co-Founders) were students of Lyle Doe in Kettering, OH.  Still one of the coolest teachers of all-time, he’s using RRR in his classrooms today!  We asked him to tell us about some of his teaching successes with RRR:

Name:  Lyle Doe
School:  Van Buren Middle School - Kettering, OH
Subjects: Middle School Science and Technology (integration with the science curriculum)

How are you using educationalrap.com and rrr.fm music in the classroom?

In Kettering, Ohio it is particularly fun to use the music of RRR;  After all Ben and Robbie were students here!  I always start with the fact that both Ben and Robbie were in the very seats that my students are using today, and they never really know to believe me or not.  It amazes them to think that some of the talents they have today may be used one day doing something they really love!  That is a great hook to get students interested in content, so thanks Ben and Robbie!  We have used all the music available, but what we really focused on is the Earth Day songs. These songs, like all of the music from RRR, is like a gift that we can send home with the students.  I have had several students say to me that they just cannot keep from singing the song,  and that is what RRR is all about!  There probably is not much arguing the fact that music is one of the multiple intelligences that we do not fully use and certainly in the content area.  We here at Kettering are so glad to have content with a music connection!

What are some recent successes you have encountered using our music?

Like all teaching strategies some methods are more successful that others with different students, with all the more reason to use a variety of methods and delivery.  But music, I believe, has almost universal appeal.  The only other time I see the students so engaged is when they are allowed to use their iPods and iPads in class for school work.  I like to have the music playing quietly when the kids come in at the beginning of class, and they act like they are going to have a treat that day!  I then use the song during the class at different times and then end the class with the song uninterrupted.  They leave happy every time and they always want to hear the song again later in the week!

Many thanks to Mr. Doe for sharing his story with us, and for continuing to support our music in his classroom!