2. Listening to music in
math lessons can
dramatically improve
children’s ability in the
subject and help them
score up to 40% higher
in examinations, a new
study has found.
Music helps students learn math
3. An innovative curriculum
uses rhythm to teach
fractions at a California
school where students in a
music-based program
scored significantly higher
on math tests than their
peers who received regular
instruction.
Music Rhythm Study
4. The researchers compared the test scores of lower-
performing students in both groups and found that
those who were taught the experimental music
curriculum score 40% higher on the final fractions
test compared to their lower performing peers in the
regular math class.
Music Rhythm Study Continued
5. Reports and Studies
1999: Dr. Gordon Shaw, University of California-Irvine
Studies three groups of 2nd grade students
1. Received piano lesson and used special
mathematics computer program
2. Received English training and used special
mathematics computer program
3. Received standard classroom instruction only
6. Reports and Studies Continued
1999: Dr. Gordon Shaw, University of California-Irvine
After 4 months of training, students were tested
in ratios and fractions.
The first group that received piano lessons and
used the math computer program scored 15%-
41% highers than the other two groups.
7. Music Beats
Tapping out a beat may help students learn
difficult fraction concepts, according to new
findings due to be published in the Journal
Educational Studies in Mathematics.
Check out some examples on the next slides
