More Music
If you're looking for some free music, take a look at the songs I created in Garageband. One is called Test Timer and comes in six different lengths: 60-seconds, 90-seconds, two minutes, 3 minutes, 4 minutes, and 5 minutes.
I also made a slight variation, Center Wrap Up, that can be used as a transition cue that tells students to finish up at one learning center and then move on to the next one.
Mario Brothers Thinkin' Music
Here's another free song. It's a 49-second version of the Mario Brothers theme song. I found it on a website that searches other sites that offer free mp3s.
Mario Brothers Theme Song [0:49]
My first thought was that it would make a good background song to monitor how much time students have for formulating a response to a deep question you've just posed. It could also work to time the length of a think/pair/share interaction.
It's your call how you use it. I just know how much students would appreciate hearing a reminder about one of the all-time classic video games.
BTW
I dragged the original version into Garageband and modified it slightly by increasing the volume as the song approaches the end. When you introduce the first song to your students--or is it introduce your students to the first song?--pick one with a clear ending sequence. This will facilitate the transition from collaboration/reflection back to a class-wide engaged state.
Looney Tunes "That's All Folks!"
This was sent to me by a teacher.
Looney Tunes "That's All Folks!" [0:21]
Come on, now. Who couldn't use that at some point in the day? (I'm wondering if you could play it when you think the staff meeting should be over.)
Benny Hill "Yakety Sax"
Here's a song sent in by a different teacher. It was over two minutes in length, so I made shortened versions in Garageband. You can do the same thing in iTunes.
The music is pretty high-energy. Nonetheless, you never know where it just might fit in your day.
Discussion Wrap Up Songs
As opposed to some type of teacher initiated "Stop your discussions and come back to attention" cue, how about using a song?
The benefit of using a song is that the students will be alerted to the fact that the time alloted for their discussion is coming to an end. Consequently, they will be able to begin the disengagement process and be ready to give you their undivided attention by the time the song is over. And all accomplished without the teacher having to call for their attention or cue them in any way.
The song could also apprise them of the fact that any note taking that was being conducted needs to be finalized before the song is over.
With that in mind, here are two songs you can use to help students transition out of a think-pair-share or team discussion. (I made them in Garageband and are therefore royalty free.)
BTW
The Funky Wrap Up song is called Funky Lunch Shuffle in the post about how to make a classroom alarm clock. There are instructions if you're using a PC and a separate page if you're using a Mac. Same song, different purpose. Again, it all depends on how you want to use music to help boost student independence.
