Learning How to Collaborate Using Music and Theater

Abstract

Over the course of the Fall Semester 2016, we constructed four standards-based lessons in the content areas of math, English, science and social studies, integrating theatre and music concepts. Our lessons were created to help us understand the collaboration between co-teachers and the effectiveness of student learning due to integration. We hosted two hour-long sessions for Kindergarten through second grade students, focused on math and science. An additional two hour-long sessions were held for third grade through fifth grade students, focusing on English and social studies. After each session, the faculty mentors had a meeting with us to debrief on the session. Findings included clear, focused transitions between sections in the lesson; student engagement; and comprehensive research based curriculum that crosses disciplines. We concluded that effective colleague collaboration and content integration results in effective of student learning.