Elementary General Research Articles

Planning with Purpose and Intent: Designing Lesson Objectives and Assessments to Embed Social Emotional Learning in Elementary General Music

Social Emotional Learning (SEL) is a topic of growing interest and relevance to music educators, particularly those who teach elementary general music. While there are natural connections between music education and SEL, the incorporation of SEL into a music curriculum must be done with purpose and intent. Many elementary general music teachers struggle with purposefully embedding SEL into their existing curricula, due to factors such as a lack of time, relevance, and inadequate preparation. In this article, elementary general music teachers will discover ways to design lesson objectives and assessments that purposely embed SEL skills with musical outcomes to support the social, emotional, and musical development of all students in their classroom.

Supporting Music Literacy for Students with Special Needs in the Elementary General Music Classroom: A Design Case of a Digital Tool

Supporting Music Literacy for Students with Special Needs in the Elementary General Music Classroom: A Design Case of a Digital Tool

IMPLICIT STRATEGIES OF ELEMENTARY GENERAL EDUCATION TEACHERS IN INCLUSIVE CLASSROOMS: A PHENOMENOLOGICAL STUDY

General Education teachers don’t have exceedingly specialized capabilities in special education. We don’t have much encounters in an inclusive classroom. Not continuously, but regularly, it appears that teachers feel unequal to the errand of educating students with special needs. This study used a phenomenological approach, which explains how people interpret their lived experiences with a concept or phenomenon (Creswell, 2020). The objective of a phenomenological investigation is to understand and explain an event from the point of view of the participants. Many professionals in the literature express concerns about whether full inclusion is appropriate for all students with disabilities and emphasize the importance of maintaining a continuum of services. Supporters for a continuum of services for students with disabilities cite two main reasons. First, they believe there is an inadequate research base to advocate such a drastic change to the current educational system believes, the research evidence on the relative efficacy of one special education service delivery model over another is scarce, methodologically flawed, and inconclusive. A number of recommendations for future studies emerged from the data. This study was restricted to fifteen elementary general education classroom teachers from Davao City The first recommendation would be to expand this study’s sample size and the geographic area of the participants. Another recommendation would be to study the perspectives of participants not included in this study: middle and high school teachers, specials teachers, and special education teachers. KEYWORDS: Implicit Strategies, Elementary General Education Teachers, Inclusive Classrooms, A Phenomenological Study

Elementary General Music: Perceptions and Aspirations of Preservice Music Teachers

The purpose of this study was to gain a deeper understanding of preservice music educators’ perceptions of elementary general music (EGM), pedagogical competencies, and specialization preference. Preservice music teachers responded to a survey about perceptions of personal experiences with EGM, preparation and comfort related to EGM, and confidence in the ability to teach content and skills common in EGM curricula. Participants ( n = 203) also answered questions about their preferred specialization and about factors that would influence their choice of job in the future. Most participants remembered having positive personal experiences with general music in elementary school and believe it is important for future musical success. Confidence in content and skills common in teaching EGM increases as they progress through their degree program. Most identify ensemble teaching and middle and high school grades as their future aspirations. Significant predictors of future career choice included undergraduate major and comfort teaching.

Restorative Justice and Classroom Management in Elementary General Music Classrooms

The purpose of this pilot study was to examine elementary general music teachers’ familiarity with, agreement with, and perceptions of restorative justice practices. Participants ( N = 49) included practicing elementary general music teachers who were members of the California Music Educators Association, the Florida Music Educators Association, the Missouri Music Educators Association, the New England Orff chapter, and an Orff chapter in Southern California. Findings indicated that participants were moderately familiar with their perceived ideas of restorative justice. They reported moderately high levels of agreement with a restorative justice ideology but held largely negative perceptions regarding the approach and its implementation in elementary music classrooms. Results suggest that although many elementary music teachers generally agree with a restorative justice ideology, they face challenges in implementing restorative justice–based approaches in their classrooms. Administrative support, professional development opportunities, and future research on the topic are needed.

Teaching the Standards: Elementary General Music During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Teaching the Standards: Elementary General Music During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Behavioral Strategies for Trauma-Informed Elementary General Music Education for Students With Emotional/Behavioral Disorders: A Review of the Literature

Elementary general music teachers encounter challenging behaviors in the music classroom when teaching students with emotional/behavioral disorders (EBD), which require prevention and response. In this article, I reviewed literature on pedagogical strategies and interventions for students with EBD in the elementary general music classroom. The review is organized as follows: (a) introduction and process, (b) overview of trauma, (c) overview of EBD, (d) principles of trauma-informed care, and (e) summary and recommendations. Through this review, I present current knowledge on best practices for understanding and framing the unique behavioral needs of special learners with EBD through a trauma-informed lens.

Drawing from pedagogy to policy: reimagining new possibilities for online art learning for generalist elementary teachers

Distance-learning studies have seen an incredible growth in the last 20 years. The majority of these were at postgraduate level. Fewer were undergraduate and even fewer were in initial teacher education training. Within these, there are even fewer examples of art education courses as it was frequently argued that the experiential aspect of these courses could not be translated into a remote learning-teaching environment. Nevertheless, Higher Education is moving rapidly toward an expansion of distance learning. The article discusses characteristics of online learning in the field of art education for elementary school teachers. It focuses on lessons learnt during the Covid-19 Emergency Remote Teaching in the context of preservice elementary generalist teachers and how the pandemic has accelerated the “digitalization” turn. It discusses opportunities for experiential, collaborative and active learning that are transformative enough to overturn stereotypes and promote perceptions of self-efficacy in art learning. Further, it affirms necessary aspects of presence in an online environment – social, cognitive and teacher presence – to achieve successful student outcomes for non-art specialists. Drawing from pedagogy, the implications of the study offer policy recommendations to Higher Educational Institutions on how to support both teacher educators and pre-service teachers in the context of art learning.

"There is Something to be Said for Actually Being There:" Experiences of Elementary General Music Teachers in High-Poverty Schools

"There is Something to be Said for Actually Being There:" Experiences of Elementary General Music Teachers in High-Poverty Schools

Elementary General Music Teachers’ Preparation in Classroom Management

The purpose of this study was to examine elementary general music teachers’ classroom management preparation within music teacher education programs. Participants ( N = 341) were active elementary general music teachers as identified by the National Association for Music Education (NAfME). Descriptive data included frequencies, percentages, and cross-tabulations. The most frequently reported sources of classroom management preparation were mentoring from a licensed teacher and supervised fieldwork, while creating classroom rules and expectations and teaching procedures were the most frequent examples of within-course content. Participants were most satisfied with their preparation received through licensed teacher mentoring and supervised fieldwork. Implications for music teacher educators are presented.

Characteristics of Early Childhood and Elementary General Music Methods Coursework for Preservice Music Teachers

Although many music teacher candidates begin university studies planning to teach secondary ensembles, most will ultimately be certified to teach younger children and may be called to do so. The purpose of this study was to examine how music teacher education programs prepare preservice music educators to teach music to children from birth through elementary school through coursework. We emailed survey invitations to representatives from 512 institutions accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music to prepare music educators. We received 134 usable responses (response rate = 26%). Nearly all respondents offered elementary general music methods (EGMM), and over three quarters required EGMM for all students in initial licensure programs. Only about one in ten responding institutions offered early childhood music methods (ECMM). We describe findings on EGMM and ECMM course structures, content, and materials as well as the employment status, degree background, and other qualifications of the person who typically taught this coursework

Examining Elementary General Music Teaching Practices Through a Reggio Emilia Lens

Abstract Elementary general music teachers (N = 280) from Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Utah, and Wyoming completed the Characteristics of Elementary General Music Teaching questionnaire. Responses were analyzed for congruence between current teaching practices and three components of the Reggio Emilia Approach (REA) to education: child as protagonist, documentation of learning, and the hundred languages. Overall, respondents described teaching practices that reflect some, but limited, congruence with the REA. Teachers collect some types of student artifacts, display evidence of student learning in certain forms, adapt instruction based on observation of students, provide students opportunities to translate between symbolic systems, and demonstrate a student-centered approach to music education by modifying their teaching practices at the student, class, grade, or developmental level. Variance in the congruence between teaching practice and the concepts of documentation and symbolic translations could not be explained by education level or general music pedagogical influence. Suggestions are shared for elementary general music teachers to engage in critical self-reflection of their teaching practice through a Reggio Emilia-inspired lens. The review of literature and this study demonstrate a need for further research on Reggio Emilia-inspired music education; suggestions are included.

Elementary General Music Performances and Teachers’ Perceptions of Stress

The purpose of investigation was to examine the perceptions of elementary music teachers concerning the preparation of elementary music performances and the impact on their perceived stress. Participants were practicing elementary general music teachers ( N = 3) representing three different elementary schools from a metropolitan area in the Midwest. All participants were interviewed twice over a period of two months via Zoom. Data were analyzed through an open coding process (Gibbs, 2007), which yielded three themes: time management, control, and isolation. Facets of time management included strategic planning, organizational techniques, and instructional time; control concerned scheduling, repertoire selection, equipment, and performance venues; and isolation pertained to relationships with colleagues and administrators and an overwhelming amount of responsibility. These findings indicate the importance of acknowledging various stressors affecting music educators and how those might positively and negatively affect teachers and students.

Factors Impacting Elementary General Music Teachers’ Career Decisions: Systemic Issues of Student Race, Teacher Support, and Family

The purpose of this study was to examine factors that may influence the projected career plans of elementary general music teachers. Survey participants ( N = 972) completed a questionnaire designed to elicit responses about multiple factors and projected career plans in 1 year and in 5 years. The vast majority of participants planned to remain in their position the following year, yet a little under half of them planned on remaining in their positions in 5 years. The variables associated with teacher migration or attrition in 5 years were issues of teacher support (i.e., participation in a mentoring program and recognition in the form of teaching awards), student race, and family responsibilities (i.e., number of children at home). Movers were also more likely to have received a teaching award than those who intended to stay in their current positions or those who planned to leave the profession. Implications for the profession as well as for practice and future research are discussed.

The Characteristics and Career Influences of Male Elementary General Music Teachers

Abstract The purpose of this study was to describe the characteristics of male elementary general music teachers and investigate career factors from social cognitive career theory. Items included influential others (teachers, friends, and family), performance accomplishments (career-related activities in coursework, student teaching, general music positions, and professional development), and social persuasions (social factors related to teacher preparation programs, colleagues, and school setting). Responses to an online questionnaire from 140 male elementary general music teachers were analyzed with three types of statistical analyses: frequencies, independent samples t-tests, and simple linear regression. Results include demographic data and findings related to the interaction of prior experiences, career preparation, and in-service experiences. Other results indicate a wide variety of primary instruments, career trajectories, and original career intentions. Respondents identified those who influenced them, their success in coursework, and their social interactions. Suggestions for the profession include a required elementary general methods course for all preservice music teachers and a portion of student teaching in an elementary general music setting. Respondents developed teacher identities that allowed them to navigate issues related to elementary general music such as career expectations and working in a feminized profession.

A Selective Survey of Jazz Materials for the Elementary General Music Classroom

A Selective Survey of Jazz Materials for the Elementary General Music Classroom

Novice and Experienced Elementary General Music Teachers’ Classroom Management Self-Efficacy

The purpose of this study was to investigate elementary general music teachers’ classroom management self-efficacy. Targeted participants were novice and experienced elementary general music teachers teaching in urban, suburban, and rural/small town settings who received a survey disseminated through the National Association for Music Education. Survey participant data were analyzed using analysis of variance and analytic induction. Teaching experience had a significant effect on classroom management efficacy, while school setting did not. Themes that emerged from the analysis of responses to open-ended questions included adapting and implementing classroom management strategies, consistency, parental involvement, students’ home environments, and teacher expectations. Implications are also presented that relate to general music teachers’ self-efficacy.

Integrating Social-Emotional Learning Into Our “New Normal” Teaching Elementary General Music

As social-emotional learning (SEL) initiatives are being adopted by many states and school districts, many music teachers have been actively and successfully integrating SEL into their elementary general music curriculum. Whether teaching in person or remotely music educators can create an environment conducive to SEL by practicing mindfulness, building relationships with and between students, encouraging family music engagement, and engaging in inclusive music activities. In this column, you will find resources and ideas about SEL, discover how it looks and functions in the music classroom (virtual or not), and hear from music educators who currently incorporate SEL in their teaching.

An Investigation of Digital Game-Based Learning Software in the Elementary General Music Classroom

Game-based learning, or the process of adapting an educational concept into a game-based structure, has been studied by researchers for nearly a century. Over the last several decades, new technologies have allowed digital media to create a multibillion-dollar entertainment industry commonly known as video games. Video games have become a tool for many educators who have the potential to engage students to learn musical concepts and skills. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of digital game-based learning in comparison to other teaching methods for music education and to explore the perspectives of young students regarding video games both in school and in their personal lives. Eighty-two (n = 82) fifth- and sixth-grade students in a northeastern U.S. elementary school completed a study consisting of a pretest/posttest control group design. Results showed that students who had access to educational video games combined with the assistance of an instructor achieved higher mean scores than students who had access to either video games without instruction or instruction without video games. These findings suggested that educational video games may potentially be used as an effective tool in the music classroom to teach musical concepts and skills.

Aligning Culturally Responsive and Trauma-Informed Pedagogies in Elementary General Music

In elementary general music, the need for culturally responsive pedagogies and trauma-informed practices may coexist. Creating an environment and developing instruction in ways that are both culturally responsive and trauma-informed may be possible, because both approaches share common theoretical underpinnings and practices. In this article, we review the research on culturally responsive music education and trauma-informed practices and make practical suggestions for implementing these pedagogies in elementary general music classes.