USING MUSIC TO TEACH THE BASICS

Can music be used to enhance the learning of reading, writing, science, and/or math? Theory and research suggests that music does facilitate learning in these areas. The purpose of the review of research presented here is to delineate and discuss the effects of music on the learning of academic basics such as reading, writing, science, and math.

The presented review is divided into four categories. These are: (1) Effects of music on language arts skills and abilities; (2) Effects of music on science learning; and (3) Effects of music on mathematical skills and abilities. The final section of the review formulates a series of conclusions related to the reviewed material.

Effects of Music on Language Arts Skills and Abilities

Hennings and Grant (1981) have discussed the influence of music on students' written expression. According to the authors, music inspires certain images which can be used by students as a foundation for writing about the images experienced. As Hennings and Grant (1981) put it:

"Ebb Tide," makes the listener feel as if he or she is standing in the sand, watching the sea race in and out. George Gershwin's "An American in Paris," brings the sounds of taxi horns in Paris...(In response to Ferde's Grand Canyon Suite, eighth graders)...felt as if they were standing in the desert, witnessing a rising storm and the quiet that follows. They enjoyed the music suggestion so much that they told their friends...ab

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nd with a native-English-speaking class. Spanish-language songs were also incorporated. Often, the words to the song were indicated as it was being sung. Despite the songs' simplicity, students initially had difficulty pronouncing English words. However, they responded well to music and liked to dance to it. Also, background music was provided during some science and math activities. Other music, rhythm, and rhyming activities were popular with the children. Some songs involved counting, spelling, and eventually, reading of lyrics. The music exercises were found to be very useful in terms of encouraging children's literacy skills, minimizing language-learning-related stuttering, involving new students in classroom efforts, and supporting the classroom participation of all students. In addition, the background music was said to have led to gains in both science and math achievement. Some researchers have attempted to examine whether the effects of music may produce gains in academic achievement, particularly in science, because they exert effects on certain skills such as improving students on-task-performance. One such study was conducted by Davidson and Powell (1986). Specifically, the authors observed 26 pupil

Category: Arts - U