elementary music in the 21st century

I have just completed my first 3 days of teaching. I have every reason to believe it will be a very interesting year.

Kids sure are different as you travel from Shawnee to Edmond (not all kids, but some).  I'm not saying it's good or bad.  It's just a statement.  I asked all of my classes in these first 3 days, "Where do you hear music? Raise your hand if you can think of a place."   I expected the typical answers, such as the birds, at home, at a restaurant, on the radio, at a concert.  They said those, but they also said things like my ipod, my mp3 player, ringtones on my cellphone.  I didn't really expect those.  One of my second graders said his favorite band was my chemical romance.  He could hardly even speak those words where they were understandable.

I know it's only been about 12 years since I've been in elementary school, but things have changed quickly.  Cellphones are permitted in elementary school, as long as they are not on or out.  It's not that these changes are necessarily horrible.  It's just different.

It just doesn't feel like life is as simple for them as it maybe used to be; of course, it does have a lot to do with parents and what they decide to buy for their children.  Singing songs with cute little movements isn't necessarily enough for some of these kids.  My brain is kind of in a whirlwind trying to figure out what might make these kids tick in music class.   I don't think the answer is found in textbooks. I'm thinking I'll have to just get creative and think.  Elementary music in the 21st century ... maybe we just need a little more Coldplay in the curriculum.