Browsing by Author "Kovalainen, Laura"

The purpose of this study is to find out how classroom teachers use music as part of their teaching and as a unifying factor in primary school grades 3–6. In addition, the aim is to find out which factors classroom teachers find conducive to bringing music into their cross-curricular teaching. The theoretical framework of the study presents three models of integration: the methods of horizontal integration, Bresler's integration styles and DiDomenico's perspective on the integration of teaching through music. The framework also examines the role of music in primary school grades 3–6 in the light of the basics of the 2014 basic education curriculum and the benefits of teaching through music, and examines the classroom teacher's preconditions for implementing integrative music education. The study was conducted as a qualitative case study with the help of a thematic interview. The research material was collected by interviewing four classroom teachers who had experience using music as part of their teaching. The interviews were mainly conducted using online connections. One of the interviews took place in a face-to-face meeting. The analysis of the material utilized theory-based and theory-guiding content analysis. According to the study, classroom teachers integrated music into cross-curricular teaching naturally. Integration was carried out in a variety of ways. The social integration style was central, which was particularly evident in the importance of various events and celebrations and cooperation related to them. Music lessons were also taught in parallel with common themes in other subjects. The position of music as an integrative subject ranged from low cognition to an equal, cognitive position. The teacher's own background, enthusiasm and willingness had a significant effect on the realization of integration with music. Classroom teaching was also perceived as a factor facilitating integration. The most important result of the study was the importance of well-being as a factor guiding integration through music. According to the study, it seems that by integrating music into teaching it is possible to meet the goal of basic education in supporting the holistic development of the pupils.