Volume 1, No. 1 September 2003

EFFECTS OF SEQUENCED KODÁLY LITERACY-BASED
MUSIC INSTRUCTION ON THE SPATIAL REASONING SKILLS OF KINDERGARTEN STUDENTS

Marlene Hanson
Glacier Gateway Elementary School
Columbia Falls, Montana

music12@sd6.k12.mt.us

Abstract

This study was an investigation of the effects of sequenced Kodály literacy-based music instruction on the spatial reasoning skills of kindergarten students. Subjects in the pretest-posttest control group design were 54 kindergarten students who were enrolled in three kindergarten classes in a rural elementary community school. Experimental group one (n = 18) received Kodály music instruction and experimental group two (n = 18) received computer instruction (with no classroom music training) for 30 minutes twice a week. The control group (n = 18) received no classroom music instruction or computer instruction. The instructional-treatment period spanned seven months from October, 2000 through April, 2001. A spatial-temporal measure, a spatial measure, and a nonspatial (verbal) measure served as the dependent variables. Three separate analyses of variance (ANOVAs) revealed no significant difference between the three groups in pretest, posttest, or gain scores (posttest minus pretest) for each of the three measures.

Article and References

About the Author

Marlene Hanson is currently teaching elementary music (1-5) at Glacier Gateway Elementary School in Columbia Falls, Montana. She holds an M.A. in music education (with an emphasis in Kodály) from the University of St. Thomas, and a B.M.E. degree from the University of Montana. Her professional affiliations include MENC: The National Association for Music Education/Montana Music Educators Association, Organization of American Kodály Educators, American Orff-Schulwerk Association, and Treasure State Orff (past president).

Ms. Hanson has taught elementary music in northwest Montana for 16 years. She serves as a vocal adjudicator for music festivals in Montana and performs with the Montana Chorale, a 24-voice chamber chorale.