By Kirsten Porcelli ED 702.22 Dr. O’Conner-Petruso

1. Why Theater & Music Matter? A study of how the integration of Theater and Music in the classroom shows an increase in students’ attention span. By Kirsten PorcelliED 702.22Dr. O’Conner-Petruso

2. Table Of Contents Introduction • Statement of Problem • Literature Review • Research Hypothesis

3. Statement of Problem • Lack of theater and music in schools Why Children’s Theater Matters • Howard Gardner’s Multiple intelligences • Student teaching, Broadway Babies experience • Budget cutting in schools. Interview with Cynthia Nixon

4. Literature Review

5. Literature Review Positive Impact of music & theater on social, cognitive & academic development • Mason, Steedly & Thormann (n.d.); Zastrow (2004); Catterall (2002); Betts, Fisher, & Hicks (n.d.); Wood (2006; 2007). Increase of Expression & Communication • Crehan (n.d); MENC: The National Association for Music Education (1991); Humphreys (2007); Vermont Arts Council (2006)

6. Literature Review Music increases the attention span • Stanford University Medical Center (2007); Wood (2006; 2007); Singh (1999) • Research/studies on the benefits of arts integration • Burnaford, Brown, Doherty, & McLaughin (2007); Betts, Fisher, & Hicks (n.d.)

7. Research Hypothesis • Integrating music and theater into my student teaching first grade classroom at the P.S. 152 annex in Brooklyn, NY, will increase their attention span throughout the day.

8. THE END Betts, J.D., Fisher, P., & Hicks, S.J. (n.d). Arts integration: semiotic transmediation in the classroom. (University of Arizona, Arizona Art Education Research Institute). Abstract Retrieved September 24, 2008, from http://www.u.arizona.edu/~bettsj/SemTrans.html Von Zastrow, C. (2004). Academic atrophy: The condition of the liberal arts in america's public schools. Washington, DC: Council for Basic Education. Mason, C., Steedly, K., & Thormann, M. (n.d.). Retrieved September 24, 2008, from http://www.vsarts.org/documents/resources/research/tec_vsa_article_092105.pdf Wood, D. (2006, 2007). Why children's theater matters. education.com. Retrieved September 24, 2008, from http://www.adventurestage.org/filebin/pdf/Why%20Children%5C's%20Theater%20Matters-Education.com.pdf Crehan, T.G. (n.d.). Movement and rhythm in special settings:its power, breadth and influence. Retrieved September 25, 2008, from http://www.hichumanities.org/AHproceedings/Tressa%20Gorman%20Crehan.pdf Burnaford, G Ph.D., Brown, S., Doherty, J., & McLaughlin, H. J. (2007). Arts integration:frameworks, research practice. Retrieved September 28, 2008, from http://www.aep-arts.org/files/publications/arts_integration_book_final.pdf Catterall, J.S. (2002, September). Critical links: learning in the arts and student social and academic development. Retrieved September 25, 2008, from The University of California.Web site: http://www.gseis.ucla.edu/faculty/pages/catterall.html   Stanford University Medical Center (2007, August 5). Music moves brain to pay attention, study finds. science daily. Retrieved October 1, 2008, from http://www.sciencedaily.com­ /releases/2007/08/070801122226.html Menc: The National Association for Music Education. (1991, March)Growing up complete: the imperative for music education. Retrieved October 1, 2008, from http://www.menc.org/resources/view/growing-up-complete-the-imperative-for-music-education Singh, A. (1999, February 07). The appeal of rhythm and movement. The Hindu. Retrieved October 1, 2008, from http://www.hinduonnet.com/folio/fo9902/99020200.html International Society for Music Education. (2007, November 7). Why music education? Retrieved October 1, 2008, from http://www.isme.org/en/advocacy- articles/11-why-music-education.html