Music Series

Recent scientific research is supporting a longheld belief among many educators that a musical and arts education enhances a child's complex reasoning skills. . In his special "Assignment: Education" series.. 'Reading, Writing and Rythm'.. Bill Ratliff takes a look at the relationship between musical experience and academic performance.

--[1stt grade children singing:] "Adios amigo, adios my friend.."--

A first grade class at Southwest Elementary, in Polk County... Nothing unusual here.. The children are learning about Mexico, through song. It's a traditional approach to exposing young children to different languages and culture. But there is something going on at this school.. that is -very- different. Listen.

(Classical music playing on school's public address system)

That's right.. Classical music. It is piped through the entire school system. The walkways. The cafeteria. The main office.. Even classrooms.

--[Principal Dr. Sherrie Nickell says]: "The research indicates the rhythm of classical music seems to be very similar to the rhythm of the best state of learning in the human brain."--

Dr. Sherrie Nickell is the Principal of Southwest Elementary

"It's the state where you have sort of a sense of calm alertness. And that is the type of atmosphere that we want to create, where the children can be calmly alert."--

--[Teacher claps hands then 'signs' the letters a, e, s, e,]--

That's the kind of environment Johanna Johnson has created for her fifth grade class. Children work in different areas of the room. Some in small groups of two or more. These two boys are listening to nature music and sketching the images the music creates in their minds. Two other students are using their imaginations to create their own song. The idea is to give students an environment to use their minds freely and creatively. And always in the background.. Soft music

--(music playing)--

Johnson says the music lessens the stress her students feel, improves their productivity.. and she says it has a big impact on test days.

--[Teacher Joanna Johnson says:} "I've seen significant improvement in test scores.. Again.. When we take test when we have the music playing in the background and when we don't."--

--[Fourth grade class singing]: "Rivers belong where they can ramble. Eagles belong where they can fly.."--

Music can do more than relax the mind. It can be used has a practical teaching tool, as well.

--[Teacher Jenn Cayer says:] "What two words make up that contraction? Garrett?--

Fourth grade teacher Jenn Cayer uses a song her students have learned to help her teach them English mechanics.. For good reason.

--[Cayer says:] "Well, music has a whole different way of connecting in their minds than me just talking to them does. And it's something they enjoy and emotionally connect with, so it helps their learning go a lot more smoothly for them."--

And that is what recent brain research corroborates. The human mind is actually made up of different intelligences. When the mind's musical intelligence.. particularly that of a young child.. is stimulated, other intelligences become more active.. helping the brain to learn and do more. But what evidence is there the brain actually performs at a higher level, when students are exposed to music? And.. how much better do they perform in core academic subjects? We'll take a look at that tomorrow night on Newschannel Eight at six.

By the way.. If you would like to find out more about how music is being used at Southwest Elementary.. You can link to the school's website through our website.. WFLA-dot-com.

Part 2

Recent scientific research is supporting a longheld belief among many educators that a musical and arts education enhances a child's complex reasoning skills.

In the final part of his "Assignment: Education" Series.. 'Reading, Writing and Rythm'.. Bill ratliff takes a look at the relationship between musical experience and academic performance.

--[Student Orchestra playing]--

The student orchestra at Harrison Arts Center in Lakeland.. Polk County's magnet high school for the arts. The students here are talented, but they also traditionally earn Polk County's highest scores on the annual Scholastic Aptitude Test. And they're not alone. According to a study of 1997 SAT scores.. Music students, nationwide, scored 52-points higher on the verbal, and 37 points higher on the math portions of the SAT, than non-music students. Harrison Principal Michael Westbrook believes a music education teaches a child to think without risk.. Helping raise -regular- classroom performance.

--[Michael Westbrook says:] "Our entry is a 'c' average and we have a great many students who come in with that type of grade and the vast majority of them.. their grades go up once they get here."--

That improvement apparently can be seen at lower grade levels. Eighth-graders Joshua Dampier and Brittany hargrove both entered Polk's Rochelle School of the Arts in the third grade. Talented and budding musicians.. they have -become- high-performing academic students. Both feel studying music gave them a boost.
--[Joshua Dampier says:] "It gives you good skills. Like I memorize a piece, after the second or third time I play it." [Brittany Hargrove says:] "It helps you concentrate and focus on your instrument and so you are able to focus on your test."]--

--[Teacher says:] "So, if I have, for instance, g,c,e-flat."--

Music students use the same critical thinking skills as non-music students.. But new research indicates their thinking abilities are enhanced by music and music-making.
Scientists have identified seven different intelligences.. "wired in" to the brain. They are.. Musical, visual/spatial, bodily/kinesthetic, linguistic, logical/mathematical, interpersonal, and intrapersonal. And they have found using the musical intelligence area of the brain excites and activates other areas. Dr. Janet Moore of the University of South Florida.

--[Dr. Moore says:] "We know that music causes biological and chemical changes that give you comfort and security, and also stimulate the brain. And so we know it enhances complex reasoning."--

And what does this mean for parents of young children? The research strongly suggests you can improve children's chances for higher academic performance, by adding a little music to their lives. And, Dr. Moore believes the earlier the better.. Even while they're in the womb!

--[Dr. Moore says:] "Especially at.. through the ages of up to two or three, when their windows of opportunities.. when their aptitudes are forming. And then continue that at least through the ages of 10, 11."--

Bill Ratliff, Newschannel 8.

If you would like more information and statistics about music and music education, you can link to the "Music Educators National Conference" Website.. Through our website.. WFLA-dot-com.

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