Mathematics and Music Relationship: From Notes to Fractions

• Main Authors: Selin Işıtan Işıtan, Mevlüde Doğan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Araştırma Temelli Etkinlik Dergisi 2020-10-01
• Series: Araştırma Temelli Etkinlik Dergisi
• Subjects: adding fractions; subtracting fractions; music; interdisciplinary education
• Online Access: https://www.ated.info.tr/ojs-3.2.1-3/index.php/ated/article/view/4

This study aimed to enrich the learning environment of the 5th grade students with the interdisciplinary activities designed by connecting mathematics and music. The activities integrated the concepts of music such as note, beat, and measure with the concept of fractions in mathematics to ensure active participation of students and to promote meaningful learning. These activities were implemented for 6 lesson hours with 23 fifth grade students attending a middle school in Turkey. Throughout the teaching process, students were asked to represent note durations with fractions, to create measures with certain requirements, and to solve problems involving addition and subtraction of fractions with like or unlike denominators. The students were able to solve the questions on the activity sheet by combining the knowledge of mathematics and music. This teaching experience indicates that the activities prepared in accordance with the interdisciplinary approach might contribute to students’ conceptual learning of fractions.