How music is integrated into the other subjects of the elementary curriculum

Ms. Zawadi: “Certainly! Let’s start with Mathematics. We often use songs to learn our times tables. For example, for the three times table, we have a simple call-and-response song with a catchy tune. I’ll sing ‘Three times one is…’ and the children will respond ‘Three!’ We continue like that up to three times ten. The rhythm and melody make it much easier for them to memorize the sequence than just rote repetition. We also use simple counting songs for younger grades, and sometimes we create little rhymes with a beat to remember mathematical concepts like ‘numerator on top, denominator below!'”

Me: “That makes perfect sense for memorization. How about Language Arts, specifically Kiswahili or English?”

Ms. Zawadi: “Ah, language is rich with musicality! For Kiswahili, we have songs to help remember vocabulary, especially for things like animals or days of the week. The rhythm helps with pronunciation too. We also use chants and rhymes to learn grammar concepts, like the different classes of nouns (‘nomino za kawaida, nomino za pekee!’). For English, we use songs to learn the alphabet, phonics sounds, and even sentence structure. Sometimes, after reading a story, we might create a simple song or chant summarizing the main events. The children enjoy putting the narrative to a rhythm.”

Me: “That’s a creative way to engage with language. What about subjects like Science and Social Studies?”

Ms. Zawadi: “These are areas where music can really bring concepts to life! For Science, when we learn about the life cycle of a butterfly, we have a song that describes each stage – egg, larva, pupa, butterfly – with actions to go along with it. This makes the process more memorable and engaging. For learning about different parts of the body, we might have a song that names each part with a specific movement. In Social Studies, when we learn about different communities in Kenya, we might listen to traditional folk songs from those regions and discuss the stories they tell and the rhythms they use. We also create simple songs to remember the names of the counties or important historical figures. The melody acts as a memory aid, and the cultural context of the music adds another layer of understanding.”

Me: “So, it sounds like music is quite integrated, even if it’s not always a formal music lesson.”

Ms. Zawadi: “Exactly! It’s about finding those natural connections and using the power of rhythm and melody to reinforce learning in other areas. It makes learning more fun and accessible for many children. They are often more engaged and remember the information better when it’s tied to a song or a chant.”

Brief Description of Situations Where Other Subjects Are Taught Using Music:

• Mathematics (Times Tables): Children learn multiplication facts through call-and-response songs with a simple, repetitive melody. The rhythm helps internalize the sequence.
• Language Arts (Vocabulary): Songs with specific tunes are used to memorize lists of words (e.g., animal names in Kiswahili). The melody and rhythm aid recall and pronunciation.
• Language Arts (Grammar): Simple chants or rhymes with a beat are created to remember grammatical rules or classifications (e.g., types of nouns).
• Science (Life Cycles): A song with distinct verses and actions describes the different stages of a scientific process (e.g., butterfly metamorphosis), making the sequence more memorable and interactive.
• Social Studies (Geography/History): Traditional folk songs are used to introduce different cultures and their stories. Simple songs are also created to memorize geographical locations or historical figures.

This simulated interview highlights how a teacher in a Kenyan elementary school context creatively integrates music into various subjects, primarily as a tool for memorization, engagement, and making abstract concepts more concrete and relatable for young learners. The integration often involves simple songs, chants, and rhythms rather than formal music instruction embedded within other subjects.