Research for Elementary Music Teachers
This year has been a ride. The year before this was also a ride. Today we’re talking about an approach to problem-solving, questions, and looking for solutions in elementary general music. That approach is research.
Why Research?
Very simply… you have questions that need answers. We have challenges in teaching elementary general music.
You have questions no one can answer but you.
We have biases and unproductive ways of thinking. Humans tend to seek out ideas they agree with and avoid ideas they disagree with. If it confirms our view of the world, we have more confidence in that idea.
We default to tradition (this is how I’ve always taught recorder) and authority (this is how my methods teacher said to do it) which can have limitations in the classroom.
The problem with research studies:
Research studies are not very satisfying
Most of the time, they end with phrases like “more research is needed”
“In this specific case, the evidence suggests that 3rd grade students in this part of the country can improve sight reading”
Here’s a phrase you won’t find in a research study: “research proves that ___.”
They are not always actionable
Because they are so measured and careful
They are not designed to be accessible to anyone
Not meant for elementary general music teachers specifically to read. They are meant for researchers, PhD students and professors in higher education.
They are not designed to be public information on YouTube, a blog, or Facebook. They are designed to be behind a paywall.
Here are some examples of research questions you’d probably like answers to.
What musical content knowledge do students recall after the disruption to school routines in 2020 and 2021?
To what extent is there a content knowledge gap for students who were virtual and students who had in-person instruction?
Does my morning routine before school impact my energy level at the end of the school day?
What are effective differentiation strategies for 2nd grade musicians after a disruption of instructional time in 2020 and 2021?
What activities do 5th grade musicians find engaging?
What strategies improve vocal improvisation?
What are some ways to increase parent involvement in the music program?
Does the musicianship of my students improve when I use the National Standards for Music Education?
How are my students’ aural skills impacted by the use of the Kodaly, Orff, Dalcroze, or MLT frameworks?
To what extent is my teaching accessible to students with physical disabilities?
How can 1st grade students manage conflict productively when working in small groups?
What is the impact of a behavioral reward system on student behavior vs a constructivist approach?
And the list goes on and on.
These problems are personal. They involve your situation, your students, your community.
Action Research
Action Research: Teachers investigating solutions to their own problems with curiosity and an open mind.
Start with a good question. It should be personal to you. It should be specific. “How can I be happier at work?” is too broad. “What activities and musics do 5th grade musicians find engaging?” is a better question.
Grab some current information - what’s the situation right now? Where do we stand? If I want to improve my 5th graders’ experiences, I might spend some time reflecting on what music and music activities I’m currently teaching and how I notice 5th graders respond. I can articulate the problem I observe in terms of student engagement. I can also make a hypothesis that student engagement would improve if I added more pop music.
Has anyone had this problem before? What did they do? Did it work?
Make a plan. How will I know what types of music and activities 5th graders find engaging? I could ask them in a survey. I could also try a few new activities and see how they respond.
Do the research! Ask the questions, try the activities, and observe your results.
How did it go? Let’s compare some scenes from the beginning of the process to where we are now after implementing this plan.
Brag about it. Tell your principal. Tell the music teachers facebook group. Spread the word because we all want to know.
What’s next? Maybe we move to 4th grade. Maybe we notice an improvement, but we want to keep the momentum going.
Closing the Gap.
We need a research mindset in the classroom. We have questions that need answers. We have problems that need solutions. We need strategies to find answers and solve problems.
What if we could fill each other’s social media feeds with our solutions to problems, and encouragement to each other? What if we could collaborate on pathways forward?
