Math is Music to Our Ears: The Effects of a Music and Movement Integrated Mathematics Curriculum on Second Grade Students' Engagement with Learning

Abstract

The purpose of this research study was to investigate the effect of a music and movement integrated mathematics curriculum on second grade students’ emotional, behavioral, and cognitive engagement with learning. A concurrent triangulation design was used to guide this inquiry. Four types of data were collected from the following sources: (a) journal reflections; (b) surveys; (c) videotaped student performances; and (d) written work samples. Participants were seventeen 2nd grade students from a public school in Newark, Delaware. Findings from in-depth data analyses suggest that participants perceived the integrated learning experience to be emotionally, behaviorally, and cognitively engaging.