Freeport Music Teacher Sees 'More Enthusiasm' With New Curriculum

FREEPORT, NY — Rock legend Stevie Van Zandt, who also is known for a little TV show called "The Sopranos," created a music education tool,"TeachRock."

That curriculum has been used for years by Stephanie Arnell, a fifth-grade teacher at the Caroline G. Atkinson School in Freeport.

"I've written lessons for them as well and given around the country," Arnell told Patch.

With her expertise in the syllabus, Arnell has been asked to lead a pair of free teacher training workshops in coordination with the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame (LIME HOF) on Sept. 17 and Oct. 15.

"It's interesting looking at things from a musical lens; students don't realize that they're learning," she said.

A quick perusal of the TeachRock website shows some of the lesson plans like "Teenage Rebellion" which uses elements from the early girl groups and the British Invasion.

She sees her students readily absorbing what is taught.

"There's much more enthusiasm and a lot more engagement," she said. "They like learning about where their music came from."

Arnell's workshops include an overview of TeachRock, the 50th anniversary of Hip-Hop and a discussion of how the curriculum can help music teachers and be incorporated with band and chorus.

Arnell had used a standard textbook for music education that she said was geared for high school students. In 2016, she wanted to bring human rights into a general music curriculum.

"I did some research and TeachRock happened to pop up," she said.

Making music a hands-on lesson plan was an immediate hit for her students, as opposed to learning music theory.

Arnell begins the interaction with her students from the start of the syllabus, asking what their favorite music is and telling them about her top choice-- Classic Rock.

"They love learning about The Beatles," she said. "I love teaching them things maybe they're not exposed to."

As stated on the website. TeachRock "improves students' lives" by bringing the sound, stories and science of music to all classrooms, "inspiring deeper learning and understanding through the power of music."

Arnell has seen those benefits firsthand.

"The engagement is higher. They're paying attention more and they're retaining more [by] learning through music," she said.