Honors Thesis Archive
| Author | Laura Bucher |
|---|---|
| Title | The Impact of Music on Behavior in High-Risk Students |
| Department | Music |
| Advisors | Erik Zinter, Brandon Jones, and Amy McGuffey |
| Year | 2019 |
| Honors | University Honors |
| Full Text | View Thesis (193 KB) |
| Abstract | High-risk students are less likely to act out in the music classroom because of activities used to keep students engaged, moving and creative. Students are less likely to be a behavioral problem in the classroom when they are interested in the material, and constantly “doing” instead of listening to a teacher talk at them. In the elementary music classroom, through movement, singing, playing, listening, and other musical techniques, teachers are better able to control and/or prevent behavioral problems. Elementary music classes are often overlooked as a resource and solution for students’ emotional needs, and should be utilized more and understood as a space where students are actually more inclined to behave and express their emotions in a healthy way. Through talking with various teachers in inner-city school districts, much evidence was found to support the idea that music affects students in a positive way and can be used to correct and prevent negative behaviors in the elementary music classroom. This research paper will discuss the ways in which music can be used in an elementary music classroom to help promote positive behaviors instead of negative ones, and will suggest activities that can be used as starting points to help students engage and prevent acting-out. |
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