Mathematics - Elementary School
Below is the research linking arts strategies to specific success at the elementary school level in Mathematics. Click on any of the study citations to link to a full summary of the study in ArtsEdSearch, the online database of arts education research.
Concepts
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Arts integrated mathematics instruction, in particular music and mathematics integration, helps students understand numerical properties and learn fundamental math skills such as computation, comprehension, and estimation (Courey, Balogh, Siker & Paik, 2012; Smithrim & Upitis, 2005; Spelke, 2008).
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Sustained involvement in arts-integrated instruction promotes long-term mathematics achievement (Smithrim & Upitis, 2005) and in some cases, students who study the arts outperform their peers on mathematics assessments.
Skills and Competencies
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Through arts programming, students develop habits and skills needed to master mathematics content, such as problem solving, reasoning, and perseverance (Baum, Oreck & McCartney, 1999; Costa-Giomi, 1999; DeMoss & Morris, 2002).
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Elementary students in visual arts integrated programming are more likely than their peers to approach problems with patience and persistence and be intentional in their decision-making (Korn, 2010).