Teaching Video

Teachers, Try This: Beyoncé's ‘Mute Challenge’ to Get Students’ Attention

By Sam Mallon — January 4, 2024 2:22
FILE - In this Nov. 4, 2016 file photo, Beyonce performs at a Get Out the Vote concert for Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton at the Wolstein Center in Cleveland. Jay-Z is on top of the music world this weekend as the leading Grammy nominee. So it was fitting that he held his annual Roc Nation brunch, Saturday, Jan. 27, 2018, on the top of New York City's World Trade Center. And even though Beyonce made an even later entrance by minutes, she was still queen of the party. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File)

“Look around, everybody on mute.”

It’s a line Beyoncé uses during her performance of “Energy” to get the crowd to go silent, and it’s one teachers have started incorporating into their classroom management practices.

Here, one teacher shows how she uses the phrase in her class, and talks about the benefits of incorporating pop culture into the classroom to improve student engagement.

Sam Mallon was a video producer for Education Week.

Video

Special Education Video Inside a Summer School Program for Special Education Students
Academic support offered between school years is especially important for students with learning differences.
1 min read
dipalermo esy illinois 12
Dominic Di Palermo for Education Week
School & District Management Video Two Principals, One Agenda: Keep Kids Safe From Immigration Action
Two principals talk to Education Week about how to work through the fear and chaos of ICE action.
1 min read
Early Childhood Video How Play Carts Can Transform Early Education
Play carts make it easy to follow Connecticut’s play-based learning mandate.
1 min read
Connecticut passed legislation requiring public preschools and kindergartens to provide play-based learning during the school day.
Connecticut passed legislation requiring public preschools and kindergartens to provide play-based learning during the school day.
Victor J. Blue for Education Week
Early Childhood Video A Charter School Finds 'Looping' Strategy Benefits Youngest Students
Capital City Public Charter School, the first parent-founded charter school in the nation’s capital, takes a unique approach to early learning.
1 min read