Last night I attended the 3rd/4th grade disco at my school. While there was a little bit of dancing, like the choreographed routine to Thriller the kids apparently learned in their sports class, most of the night consisted of about 60 kids running around, grabbing handfulls of snacks off the food table, then proceeding to run around some more.
Kids were hyper, sweaty, and having a blast.
The music, all of which was American pop music, was blasting. I had a hard time trying not to dance as I worked the food table, refilling bowls of chips and popcorn, but I didn't want to look like too much of a dork!
As I was listening to the music, I was a little surprised at some of the songs that were played. I don't know if I am being too conservative in my thinking, but I just didn't think a few were appropriate choices for a disco catering to 3rd and 4th graders.
For example:
Katy Perry's Hot and Cold: you change your mind like a girl changes clothes. You PMS like a bitch, I should know....
Also, Flo Rida's Right Round... from the top of the pole I watch her go down, she got me throwin' my money around...
I don't know. I am certain that the kids were not intently listening to the lyrics. They probably didn't hear the swears or understand the messages in the songs, but I was still surprised they were played. It reminds me of one of my first grade students last year singing I kissed a girl and I liked it in the lunch line. They may even sing along and still not know what they are singing about, but there are a lot of cool songs out there that don't have mature lyrics.
What do you think? Inappropriate to play songs like that or all in good fun??
10 comments:
hmmm. funny. you know when i was in the 6th grade we would go crazy when "push it" from salt & pepa would come on. i knew the dance they did from the video which was WAY inappropriate. our teacher chaperones were either mortified or pervs.
i had no clue!
happy sits Saturday!
Kiran
I'd say inappropriate - and I'm pretty liberal. When I taught 2nd grade and we did dance party in the classroom - I always used Kidz Bop for that reason. Even if they're just singing along, they're learning the words and eventually - they WILL start discussing.
I think it is in appropriate for that age group, but I think most kids listen to this on a regular basis. I also think most of them don't know what they are singing. Happy SITS Saturday Sharefest!!!
I agree that most of those songs are inappropriate and it always amazes me when my 5th graders go around singing the lyrics or ask me if I like a certain song. Some of them though go around singing the words without having a clue what they really mean!
That is a tough question because chances are they are listening to it at home, but it is not really appropriate. I would say most of them are not truly listening to the lyrics.
I agree that those songs are extremely inappropriate for that age group to be listening to let alone sing. Its crazy how some times the kids have no idea what they are ever singing.
Yeah I tend to stay on the side of caution when it comes to song choice. One of the other K teachers has a fun cd that she copied for me, it has the song "Dirty Pop" on it and of course thats ALL the kids can discuss all day. It's not really a bad song but I just don't want them to go home and be like I was listening to Dirty Pop today! haha
I don't think I'd mind if my own kids listening to it, I think the kids usually don't know what is being said anyways.
I have to agree those songs were inappropriate! I know students are most likely listening to them at home but we don't have to promote it at school. And yes, I am sure they don't know the meaning of the lyrics but eventually they WILL!!
I know this may sound preachy but I remember learning in Sunday school the saying "GARBAGE in GARBAGE out!" I wouldn't want to be the one responsible for the GARBAGE!! :)
I am with you on this one. I am pretty liberal as well, but I don't think these songs are appropriate at school for this age group. Our kids are already overly exposed to sexual and violent innuendos. Why increase this exposure at school?
For 3&4 graders, yes those songs are inappropriate altho "Hot&Cold" is the least of the bunch really. I do believe you're in Germany and I remember being in an H&M, which sells infants to adults there, and hearing some serious gangster rap being played complete w/F-bombs and N-words while all the happy little German families shopped for socks and underwear. The radio stations also have less restrictions than the FCC places here. I guess it's cultural?
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