Music is Math and Math is Music. Manipulative fraction sets and magnets that are regularly used in a math lesson will provide a concrete demonstration of the relationship between notes values during music class.
My students love music and struggle in math.
They are very creative but they have very little access to experiences that more affluent students take for granted. As a result, they struggle to put their learning in to context and rarely make the connection between learning that occurs in one subject area like math into another area of learning like music. Additionally, our school has a very high poverty rate and the majority of my students also must manage the extra task of learning English.
My Project
Children who have rarely manipulated the concrete world will be at a significant disadvantage when they try to build abstract concepts. The concept of note value and fractional relationship of note values is VERY abstract, but essential to the development of musical literacy. When a student has no concept of what 1/2 means even when dividing a cookie, then having them try to determine the length of a 1/2 note is virtually impossible. By giving students time to physically touch and manipulate the fractions and their relationships to each other, I will be building their capacity to understand the identical concept in music. I am requesting 30 sets of "fraction circles" so that each student in my class can have one to use. I'm also requesting 2 different types of magnet sets so that I can demonstrate. I'm also requesting a pizza bulletin board set that has fractions on it to serve as a daily reference even when we are working on other musical concept
What is good to know in math is good to know in music.
What is good to know in music is great to know in math. By integrating best instructional practices in math into my music instruction, I will not only be ensuring that my students master the musical concepts that I must teach, but I will also be supporting and developing their math concepts as well. Success in music class in fractions will help them gain confidence that will improve their overall academic achievement.
Nearly all students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Ms. McSpadden and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
