This study aimed to systematically review the literature focusing on music integration approaches adopted in preschool to secondary education in Turkey. The relevant studies were identified through a systematic search on five databases (The National Thesis Center, TÜBİTAK ULAKBİM TR Index, ERIC, Scopus, and Web of Science). The paper analyzed the publications that were written in Turkish and English between 2010 and 2022 and that are available on the databases of empirical theses and peer-reviewed scientific journals, addressing music integration approaches adopted in preschool to secondary schools by using qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods. By operationalizing these criteria, 35 studies were included in the review. The studies included were found to tend to use quantitative methods. Music has mainly been integrated into math, science, and language arts curricula. This study revealed that most of the analyzed studies used a subservient integration style, an arts integration style, and offered limited insight into the depth and scope of subject areas covered and the sequencing of skills. Furthermore, this study proposed to consider educational, cognitive, artistic, and affective outcomes together by maintaining the integrity of each of the disciplines in music integration studies in the general schooling context.
Aksu. (2019). The effect of use of songs with teaching material in science course on students' success, attitude and retention [Master’s thesis, Van Yüzüncü Yıl University]. Van, Turkey. https://l24.im/DgK
2.
AktaşM.Erdoğan-KayaS. (2017). The effect of the use of Orff approach in the teaching of geometrical objects in 8th grade mathematics on the students’ academic achievements. YYU Journal of Education Faculty, 14(1), 47–72. https://doi.org/10.23891/yyuni.2017.2
3.
AlS. (2016). Applying multiple intelligence activities on the basis of musical intelligence in social studies course: an action research [Master;s thesis, Marmara University]. İstanbul, Turkey. https://l24.im/wh6WXFq
4.
AndrewsS. K. (2011). An examination of the integration of traditional core content areas in a kindergarten music classroom: a music specialist’s rationale, understandings, and perceptions [Doctoral dissertation]. ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global Database (UMI No. 3479976).
5.
Ata-DoğanS.AkmanB. (2019). An investigation of national researches about relationship between mathematics-music from preschool to high school. Journal of Interdisciplinary Educational Research, 3(5), 40–56. https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/pub/jier/issue/47536/546791
6.
AyyılmazA. M. (2016). The effects of using educational music in social studies teaching on students’ academic success and attitude towards the class [Master’s thesis, Atatürk University]. Erzurum, Turkey. https://l24.im/6G34BM
7.
BabacanM. (2019). Using music as a teaching tool in religion culture and moral knowledge classes, and its effect of on the academic achievement, attitude and retention ability of the students. Değerler Eğitimi Dergisi, 17(38), 105–138. https://doi.org/10.34234/ded.412282
8.
BakerG. (2011). Strategic uses of music in the U.S. history classroom [Doctoral dissertation]. ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global Database (UMI No. 3510468).
9.
BarborosE.AkbulutE. (2021). Research on preschool teachers’ levels of fulfilling the objectives of the music education course and of self efficacy beliefs. Journal of Research in Education and Society, 8(1), 65–74. https://doi.org/10.51725/etad.817246
10.
BiestaG. J. J.SkregelidL. (2022). Art keeps us in and with the world: Gert Biesta in conversation with lisbet skregelid. In SkregelidI. L.KnudsenK. N. (Eds.), Kunstens betydning? Utvidede perspektiver på kunst og barn & unge (Vol. 1, pp. 29–42). Cappelen Damm Akademisk.
11.
BilgehanE.GülnihalG. (2017). The use of Orff-based music activities for educational and therapeutic purposes with disadvantaged group of Romani children. Educational Research and Reviews, 12(22), 1062–1073. https://doi.org/10.5897/err2017.3342
12.
BjörklundC.Ahlskog-BjörkmanE. (2017). Approaches to teaching in thematic work: early childhood teachers’ integration of mathematics and art. International Journal of Early Years Education, 25(2), 98–111. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669760.2017.1287061
13.
BozC. (2019). The effect of songs composed on cell subject in the teaching of science course to 6th grade students [Master’s thesis, Aksaray University]. Aksaray, Turkey. https://l24.im/4wY1Wy
14.
BreslerL. (1995). The subservient, co-equal, affective, and social integration styles and their implications for the arts. Arts Education Policy Review, 96(5), 31–37.
15.
Bütüner. (2010). Effects of using songs on some parameters in primary school mathematics instruction [Master’s thesis, Dokuz Eylül University]. İzmir, Turkey. https://l24.im/ZiCKdf
16.
CampbellJ. E. B. (2014). Elementary classroom teachers’ use of and comfort level teaching music [Master’s thesis]. ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global Database (UMI No. 1573520).
17.
CampbellP. S.Scott-KassnerC. (2010). Music in childhood: From preschool through the elementary grades (3rd ed.). Schirmer Cengage Learning.
18.
Casal de la FuenteL.GillandersC. (2022). Songs and singing songs in early childhood education: A review of Spanish curriculum policy. The Curriculum Journal, 33, 478–494. https://doi.org/10.1002/curj.134
19.
Çaydere-ÖztosunÖ.Bulut-AlırE. (2017). Elemantary reading education and music. Journal of Abant İzzet Baysal University Faculty of Education, 17(4), 2058–2080.
20.
ÇekerE. (2017). Effect of science course taught by pedagogical songs and games on academic success and permanence of the success [Master’s thesis, Bayburt University]. Bayburt, Turkey. https://acikbilim.yok.gov.tr/handle/20.500.12812/712473
21.
ChemiT. (2014). The artful teacher: A conceptual model for arts integration in schools. Studies in Art Education, 56(1), 370–383.
22.
CornettC. E. (2007). Creating meaning through literature and the arts: An integration resource for classroom teachers. Pearson Merrill Prentice Hall.
23.
CorvalanV. (2013). Teacher and quality. Public Press.
DoğanC. (2018). The effect of piano-assisted music activities on the mathematical reasoning skills of the 60-72 month old preschoolers [Doctoral dissertation, Gazi University]. Ankara, Turkey. https://l24.im/jw3
29.
DyerJ. L. (2011). Musical thought: Using music to enhance literacy instruction. Illinois Reading Council Journal, 39(4), 3–9.
30.
DžanićN. D.PejićA. (2016). The effect of using songs on young learners and their motivation for learning English. An Interdisciplinary Journal, 1(2), 40–54.
31.
ErdoğanS.ÖzalpH. K. (2020). Steam and art education relationship. The Journal of Selcuk University Social Sciences Institute, 44, 303–316.
32.
FinkA. (2014). Conducting research literature reviews: From the internet to paper (4th ed.). SAGE.
33.
FllisA. K.FoutsJ. T. (2001). Interdisciplinary curriculum: The research base. Music Educators Journal, 87(5), 22–26, 68. https://doi.org/10.2307/3399704
34.
Gençel-AtamanÖ. (2014). The effect of Mozart’s music on the success of middle school students in mathematics courses. Hacettepe University Journal of Education, 29(2), 81–93.
35.
GilesA. M.FregoR. J. D. (2004). An inventory of music activities used by elementary classroom teachers: An exploratory study. Update Applications of Research in Music Education, 22(2), 13–22.
36.
GovernorD. (2011). Teaching and learning science through song: Exploring the experiences of students and teachers [Doctoral dissertation]. Athens, Georgia.
37.
GronskiS. (2012). Music integration in the kindergarten classroom: An ethnographic case study [Master’s thesis, State University of New York at Fredonia]. New York, USA. https://soar.suny.edu/handle/20.500.12648/487?show=full
38.
GülG.MintaşS.EngürD. (2020). The impact of values education with songs on the awareness level of preschool children. Journal of Values Education, 18(39), 9–31. https://doi.org/10.34234/ded.597237
39.
GülhanF. (2022). Türkiye’de yapılmış STEAM / [STEM + A (Sanat)] Araştırmalarındaki Eğilimlerin Analizi. Turkish Journal of Educational Studies, 9(1), 23–46. https://doi.org/10.33907/turkjes.737496
40.
GümüşS. (2019). The effectiveness of songs in vocabulary teaching on success of children learning French as a foreign language [Master’s thesis, Gazi University]. Ankara, Turkey. https://l24.im/Ck7l4eV
41.
HallamS. (2010). The power of music: Its impact on the intellectual, social and personal development of children and young people. International Journal of Music Education, 28(3), 269–289.
42.
HarneyK. (2020). Integrating music across the elementary curriculum. Oxford University Press.
43.
HippJ.Sulentic-DowellM. M. (2019). Challenges and supports to elementary teacher education: Case study of preservice teachers’ perspectives on arts integration. Journal for Learning through the Arts, 15(1). https://doi.org/10.21977/d915144538
44.
HolmesS.HallamS. (2017). The impact of participation in music on learning mathematics. London Review of Education, 15(3), 425–438. https://doi.org/10.18546/lre.15.3.07
45.
İraN.Özenç-i̇̇raG.GeçerA. (2019). The effect of life science activities based on the Orff approach on students’ attitudes and success levels. Mediterranean Journal of Educational Research, 13(30), 270–287. https://doi.org/10.29329/mjer.2019.218.16
46.
IşıtanS. (2013). Analyzing the effects of teaching that was associated with music to the mathematics achievement and attitudes [Master’s thesis, Ondokuz Mayıs University]. Samsun, Turkey. https://l24.im/jr4IWAy
47.
KaragözB. (2013). Teaching values to elementary students using school songs [Doctoral dissertation, İnönü University]. Malatya, Turkey. https://l24.im/2a0e
48.
KingF. (2018). Music activities delivered by primary school generalist teachers in Victoria: Informing teaching practice. Australian Journal of Teacher Education, 43(5), 48–59. https://doi.org/10.14221/ajte.2018v43n5.4
49.
KuzucuF. B. (2018). The impact of music, songs and movements on the English language acquisition by preschool children between the ages of 48-60 months [Master’s thesis, Yıldız Teknik University] İstanbul, Turkey. https://l24.im/PQh
50.
KıvılcımT. (2015). The impact of musical education program that is applied to pre-school children in terms of primary school readiness within mathematics skill [Master’s thesis, Marmara University]. İstanbul, Turkey. https://acikbilim.yok.gov.tr/handle/20.500.12812/474628
51.
KızılateşE. (2018). The effect of the visual design rhythm principle in interdisciplinary music teaching on the music perception and knowledge levels of primary school 3rd grade students [Master’s thesis, Kırıkkale University]. Kırıkkale, Turkey. https://acikerisim.kku.edu.tr:8443/xmlui/handle/20.500.12587/15091
52.
LauW.GrieshaberS. (2018). School-based integrated curriculum: An integrated music approach in one Hong Kong kindergarten. British Journal of Music Education, 35(2), 133–152. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0265051717000250
53.
LovemoreT. S.RobertsonS.-A.GravenM. (2021). Enriching the teaching of fractions through integrating mathematics and music. South African Journal of Childhood Education, 11(1), a899. https://doi.org/10.4102/sajce.v11i1.899
McDonelJ. S. (2015). Exploring learning connections between music and mathematics in early childhood. Bulletin of the Council for Research in Music Education. 203, 45–62. https://doi.org/10.5406/bulcouresmusedu.203.0045
56.
ModiriI. G. (2010). Teaching of foreign language by way of music in pre-school. Journal of Uludag University Faculty of Education, 23(2), 505–516.
Ministry of National Education of the Republic of Turkey (MoNE). (2018). Music lesson teaching program (primary and secondary school grades 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8). Ankara. https://l24.im/HOYdL
59.
MoherD.LiberatiA.TetzlaffJ.AltmanD. G. (2009). Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses: The PRISMA statement. PLoS Med, 6(7), e1000097. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000097
NaughtonC.BiestaG.ColeD. R. (2018). Art, artists and pedagogy: Philosophy and the arts in education (1st ed.). Routledge.
63.
OsbergD.BiestaG. (2021). Beyond curriculum: Groundwork for a non-instrumental theory of education. Educational Philosophy and Theory, 53(1), 57–70. https://doi.org/10.1080/00131857.2020.1750362
64.
ÖzdemirE.CoşkunerS. (2018). Music listening activities the effect of primary school students on academic achievement. Elementary Online, 17(1), 57–69.
65.
O’KeefeK.DeardenK. N.WestR. (2016). A survey of the music integration practices of North Dakota elementary classroom teachers. Update Applications of Research in Music Education, 35(1), 13–22. https://doi.org/10.1177/8755123315569739
66.
PellegrinoA. M.LeeC. D. (2012). Harnessing the power of music for the social studies classroom. Information Age.
67.
PolatB. B. (2018). The importance of pre-school music education and education methods. Afyon Kocatepe University Journal of Academic Music Studies, 4(7), 52–64.
68.
RickardN. S.AppelmanP.JamesR.MurphyF.GillA.BambrickC. (2013). Orchestrating life skills: The effect of increased school-based music classes on children’s social competence and self-esteem. International Journal of Music Education, 31(3), 292–309. https://doi.org/10.1177/0255761411434824
69.
SalmonA. (2010). Using music to promote children’s thinking and enhance their literacy development. Early Child Development and Care, 180(7), 937–945. https://doi.org/10.1080/03004430802550755
70.
SargınT. (2016). Integrating musical intelligence to the multiple intelligence theory with life studies (hayat bilgisi) course learning environments: an action research [Master’s thesis, Marmara University]. İstanbul, Turkey. https://acikbilim.yok.gov.tr/handle/20.500.12812/474433
ScrippL.GilbertJ. (2016). Music plus music integration: A model for music education policy reform that reflects the evolution and success of arts integration practices in 21st century American public schools. Arts Education Policy Review, 117(4), 186–202. https://doi.org/10.1080/10632913.2016.1211923
73.
ŞenerS.ErkanD. (2018). The effect of songs on primary school students’ motivation. International Online Journal of Education and Teaching (IOJET), 5(4), 867–875.
74.
SkeenN. (2015). An exploration of the implementation of music integration in the middle school social studies classrooms [Master’s thesis, University of Central Florida]. HIM. https://stars.library.ucf.edu/honorstheses1990-2015/1745
75.
TalşıkE. (2013). The effect of using songs as teaching material in primary school Turkish, mathematics, and life studies lessons on students' achievement and attitude development [Doctoral dissertation, Gazi University]. Ankara, Turkey. https://l24.im/geS3on
TavşancılE.AslanE. (2001). Content analysis and application examples for oral, written, and other materials. Epsilon.
78.
TavsanliO. F.KaldirimA.GedikliT. E. (2021). Enhancing permanence for Vocabulary Learning on 2nd grade students in Turkey through music. GIST – Education and Learning Research Journal, 22, 51–73. https://doi.org/10.26817/16925777.843
79.
TopçuH. (2016). The effect of teaching with songs in maths class in middle schools on academic achievement and retention [Master’s thesis, Gazi University]. Ankara, Turkey. https://l24.im/y2k
TunçerD.ŞahinkayaN. (2021). The effects of teaching decimal fraction supported by music and stories on the attitudes of fourth grade students. Millî Eğitim, 231, 67–90.
82.
TuranL.ÇelikH. (2019). The effect of the seventh grade lesson Turkish national culture theme on student success with the songs of Barış Manço. Journal of Turkish Research Institute, 65, 533–566. https://doi.org/10.14222/Turkiyat3954
83.
TuranS. (2019). Effects on learning through music on the success of students in science courses of elementary schools [Master’s thesis, Necmettin Erbakan University]. Konya, Turkey. https://acikbilim.yok.gov.tr/handle/20.500.12812/295965
84.
ÜnlüerG. (2018). Making use of songs in cultural teaching in social studies classes. Hitit Journal of Social Sciences, 11(1), 581–594.
85.
Van VredenM. (2016). Maestro for a moment: A conceptual framework for music integration in Grade R. South African Journal of Childhood Education, 6(1), 10. https://doi.org/10.4102/sajce.v6i1.373
86.
ViñasM. F.CasalsA.ViladotL. (2022). Emerging critical events in creative processes involving music, dance and mathematics in the school. International Journal of Music Education, 40(2), 228–243. https://doi.org/10.1177/02557614211050996
87.
VygotskyL. S. (1978). Mind in society: The development of higher psychological processes. Harvard University Press.
88.
WangJ. C. (2015). Games unplugged! “dolanan anak,” traditional Javanese children’s singing games in the 21st-century general music classroom. General Music Today, 28(2), 5–12.
89.
WigginsR. A. (2001). Interdisciplinary curriculum: Music educator concerns. Music Educators Journal, 87(5), 40–44. https://doi.org/10.2307/3399707
90.
WolkowiczT. (2017). Concept-based arts integration: Lessons learned from an application in music and biology. Music Educators Journal, 103(4), 40–47. https://doi.org/10.1177/0027432117697004
91.
YalovalıR. (2019). Investigation of the attitudes and achievements of music integrated “mathematics” & “science and technology” courses of primary school 4th grade students [Master’s thesis, Yakın Doğu University]. KKTC, Turkey. http://docs.neu.edu.tr/library/6714477627.pdf
92.
YiğitA. (2018). The influence of the punctuation marks activities which are in the song form on the success of the 8th grade students’ punctuation marks usage [Master’s thesis, Dumlupınar University]. Kütahya, Turkey. https://l24.im/gc
93.
YılmazM.ÇimenO.KarakayaF.AdıgüzelM. (2019). Helping students comprehend the needs of living things in their natural habitats through creative drama technique: A musical chair game. International Electronic Journal of Environmental Education, 9(2), 62–72.
Supplementary Material
Please find the following supplemental material available below.
For Open Access articles published under a Creative Commons License, all supplemental material carries the same license as the article it is associated with.
For non-Open Access articles published, all supplemental material carries a non-exclusive license, and permission requests for re-use of supplemental material or any part of supplemental material shall be sent directly to the copyright owner as specified in the copyright notice associated with the article.
