Daily News Lesson

SHOW ALL

Sept. 16, 2022, 4:59 p.m.

Student Reporting Labs: Why does music affect our moods so much?

Summary

Why does music affect our moods? Students John Barnes and Brigitte Bonsu of PBS NewsHour's Student Reporting Labs explore with expert interviews, scientific research and their own journeys in music. For more information, click here .

Five Facts

  • Who are the experts interviewed for this story, and what are their backgrounds?
  • Why does rhythm influence our moods, according to the expert?
  • How else can playing or listening to music change our moods?
  • What are the effects of lyrics on the brain, according to this story?
  • Where in the brain is most affected by music, according to this story?

Focus Questions

What art do you turn to to change your mood? What kind of music has the most powerful affect on your mood? Media literacy: What do you think it adds to the story to have students interview experts and describe their own experiences?

For More

What students can do: Make your own playlist. Write a list of 5-10 songs that you can play anytime to help you when you need to change your mood or just need a burst of energy. Then, have volunteers contribute one or two suggestions to a class playlist! You can also check out the story below on how music has the power to reach people in nursing homes once considered unreachable:

Fill out this form to share your thoughts on Classroom’s resources. Sign up for NewsHour Classroom’s ready-to-go Daily News Lessons delivered to your inbox each morning.

Recent Daily News Lessons

election

Daily News Lesson

Trump fires election commission members in latest attempt to control voting process

Learn about how recent firings could have a massive impact on independent agency authority

housing

Daily News Lesson

A look at the new regulations and incentives in the housing bill set to become law

New bipartisan legislation is addressing the supply side of America's housing crisis

glp1glp1-e1783634045618

Daily News Lesson

Some Medicare beneficiaries eligible for weight loss drug discounts

Explore how a key policy change could allow millions more Americans to access and afford GLP-1s

immigration

Daily News Lesson

Immigration judge says Trump administration's firings and policies are 'disheartening'

Learn about recent changes to the U.S. immigration court system and examine how those changes have sparked discussion about due process, judicial independence, and the role of the executive branch

SUPPORTED BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU. ADDITIONAL SUPPORT PROVIDED BY:

PBS News Hour Classroom

Copyright © 2025 News Hour Production LLC. All Rights Reserved

Illustrations by Annamaria Ward