Music Integration in the Elementary Classroom: A Hands-On Approach

Abstract

This paper provides an in-depth exploration of incorporating music integration into the elementary classroom. This paper will answer the question, "How does integrating music into daily lessons in the elementary classroom positively affect instruction?" This paper explores what music integration is and the benefits of incorporating it into the classroom. This thesis includes four types of music integration lessons and reflections on the teaching of those lessons to answer the research question. This study uses research from four main sources as background knowledge to support my thesis— "An Inventory of Music Activities Used by Elementary Classroom Teachers: An Exploratory Study" (Giles & Frego, 2004), "Integration of Music in the Elementary Curriculum: Perceptions of Preservice Elementary Education Majors" (Berke & Colwell, 2004), "Elusive Connections: Music Integration and the Elementary Classroom" (Whitaker, 1996), and Tucson Unified School District's (TUSD) Opening Minds through the Arts (OMA) program (2015).