Math and Music

•Laura Roberts

Title of ProjectEnhancing Learning in Mathematics at the Junior Elementary Level by Way of Music in a Rural School Setting in Nova Scotia

RationaleI have a music background and I am interested in

studying the effects of using music in the regular classroom to enhance students’ learning. Over the years, I have observed the effect music has on children in the classroom as a motivator and as a calming mechanism to promote positive behaviour. I am interested in researching whether or not music can actually help students learn more easily and more efficiently in the regular classroom, particularly in the area of mathematics. I would like to develop a program that teachers, both musical and non-musical, could implement into their math curriculum for grade three.

Reasons to add music to math: 10 Great Reasons to Use Music - from Eric Jensen’s Book “Top Tunes for Teaching” p. 1/2 Increase Social Contact- creates a positive, relaxed mental state Prime Students for Learning- helps put students in a particular mental state, also some songs

have content applicable lyrics Entrain emotional states of mind – “When everyone in the audience hears the same piece of

music over time, they often get into the same emotional state, mental rhythm, and frame of mind. Music creates a harmonic beacon for our bodies to follow.”

Deliver key messages – music sometimes can do this better than we can Provide a background for physical movement- gets people moving Evoke specific memories- “Certain songs may remind listeners of what they were doing when

they first heard that song. Other songs may invite the listener to evoke a new memory not previously associated with the song.

Energize a group- fast music, music with 100-140 beats per minute is both stressful and energizing. You can use this as a tool to get students up and moving or busily working to meet a deadline.

Establish an auditory backdrop- music with 55-70 beats per minute. Backdrop music can provide a stable and predictable backdrop to the days events.

Calm the mind and body-40-55 beats per minute Music at this tempo forces the mind and body to slow down.

Heal – some evidence to suggest that some music when used in certain ways reduces stress and strengthens the immune system.

Literature ReviewThe literature review has been a challenge in that the

research available in the area of music and math in rural schools is limited and not fully explored at this time. I have found several articles on the effects of music in general, background music which help with anxiety and focus, and the study of music which develops the brain. Research in brain-based teaching is accessible as well as the idea of music being one of the multiple intelligences. Overall, it is generally agreed that music has many benefits, but one has to be careful in assuming that music makes you smarter in other subjects. There is a correlation between math and music.

The Patterns of Music:The Patterns of Musichttp://www.naeyc.org/files/yc/file/201201/

Geist_Patterns_of_Music_Jan012.pdfc_Jan012.pdf

Learning OutcomesEnhancing Learning in Mathematics at the

Junior Elementary Level by Way of Music in a Rural Setting in Nova Scotia

Unit: Patterns and RelationsFocus in this power point: patterningGrade : 3Teacher’s Guide: page 102- 112

General and Specific:General Curriculum Outcomes:GCO: Students will be expected to use patterns to describe

the world and solve problems.Specific Curriculum Outcomes:SCO PRO1: Students will be expected to demonstrate an

understanding of increasing patterns by describing, extending, comparing, and creating numerical (numbers to 1000) patterns and non-numerical patterns using manipulatives, diagrams, sounds and actions.

SCO PRO2: Students will be expected to demonstrate an understanding of decreasing patterns by describing, extending, comparing, and creating numerical (numbers to 1000) patterns and non-numerical patterns using manipulatives, diagrams, sounds and actions.

Performance Indicators: Performance Indicators: SCO PRO1 PRO1.01 Identify and describe increasing patterns. PRO1.02 Describe a given increasing pattern by stating a pattern rule that

includes the starting point and a description of how the pattern continues. PRO1.03 Extend a pattern, using the pattern rule, for the next three terms. PRO1.04 Compare numeric patterns PRO1.05 Identify and explain errors in a given increasing pattern PRO1.06 Create a concrete, pictorial, or symbolic representation of an

increasing pattern for a given pattern rule. PRO1.07 Create a concrete, pictorial, or symbolic increasing pattern and

describe the pattern rule. PRO1.08 Solve a given problem using increasing patterns. PRO1.09 Identify an describe the strategy used to determine a missing

term in a given increasing pattern. PRO1.10 Use ordinal numbers (to 100th) to refer to or predict terms within

an increasing pattern.

Performance Indicators: Performance Indicators: SCO PRO2 PRO2.01 Identify and describe decreasing patterns. PRO2.02 Describe a given decreasing pattern by stating a pattern rule that

includes the starting point and a description of how the pattern continues. PRO2.03 Extend a pattern, using the pattern rule, for the next three terms. PRO2.04 Compare numeric patterns PRO2.05 Identify and explain errors in a given decreasing pattern PRO2.06 Create a concrete, pictorial, or symbolic representation of a

decreasing pattern for a given pattern rule. PRO2.07 Create a concrete, pictorial, or symbolic decreasing pattern and

describe the pattern rule. PRO2.08 Solve a given problem using decreasing patterns. PRO2.09 Identify and describe the strategy used to determine a missing term

in a given decreasing pattern. PRO2.10 Use ordinal numbers (to 100th) to refer to or predict terms within a

decreasing pattern.  

Teaching Activities:Calendar Activities: Song: Days of the

Week/Months of the Year SongYouTube: Google and you will find several raps and

songs for the Days of the Week and The Months of the Year

There are three which I have chosen: Days of the Week Rap Back – Jack Harmann

Days of the Week (Clap!Clap!) tune- The Addams Family

Months of the Year – tune -Michael Finnegan Once you find a song that you feel your students

would like, save to favorites.

Resources:List of CD’s: I purchased these from

Amazon.caSubtraction Unplugged(More to be added) Reference Materials:“Top Tunes for Teaching” by Eric JensenSinging Games, Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 CD by

Denise Gagne (Empire Music)

Websites: Sites:

http://www.mathdynamics.com/skip_counting.htm

http://www.havefunteaching.com/songs

http://www.songsforteaching.com/jennyfixmanedutunes/itspatterntime.htm

“Wake Up Brains”Multiplication Warmup

You Tube Videos:Ram Sam SamStomp and ClapDays of the Week (Adams Family tune)

A Ram Sam Samwww.youtube.com/watch?v=zBttxAMxaXE#ai

d=P9zy8YO7GyQ

Stomp and Clapwww.youtube.com/watch?v=NFmu1y-TUhw

Days of the Week Song

Days of the Week –Addams Familywww.youtube.com/watch?v=HtQcnZ2JWsY

Math Stations

Lesson Plan Sample:PRO 1.07 Creating a concrete, pictorial or

symbolic increasing pattern and describe the pattern rule.

Lesson Activities for Increasing Patterns:www.LearnAlberta.ca

The Green Grass Grew All Around

The Green Grass Grew All Aroundwww.youtube.com/watch?v=5B_XLQ_VamM

There’s a Hole in the Bottom of the Sea

There’s a Hole in the Bottom of the Seawww.youtube.com/watch?v=Nea3VnQniMQ

There was an Old Lady who Swallowed a Fly

There Was an Old Lady -Songwww.youtube.com/watch?v=8a13-JbxC98

Literature with Growing PatternsTen Black Dots – Donald CrewsThe Very Hungry Caterpillar – Eric CarleRooster’s Off to See the World – Eric CarleThe Hunter – Pat HutchinsWarthogs in the Kitchen – Pamela EdwardsFiddle I Fee – Melissa SweetOver in the Grasslands – Anna WilsonCounting Crocodiles – Judy SierraBat Jamboree – Kathie ApeltSix Dinner Sid- Inga Moore

Songs with Motions:My Granny Went to the County FairMy Name is Joe and I Work in a Button

Factory (Google video on You Tube)www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVEnGhVVYHg

Classroom Compasshttp://www.sedl.org/Within this site, search for Classroom

Compass: The Rhythm of Mathematics

Rhythm Instruments: