Merithew 1

David Merithew
Mrs. Mantlo
22 September 2016
English 4
Essential Question: Does music in school have a positive effect on students academic
performance, behavior, and attitude in school?
Working Thesis: Having music in schools can help to improve a students performance in class
and have an effect on their behavior and attitude.
Refined Thesis: Having music in schools can help to improve a students performance during
classes as well as having a major effect on the students attitude and behavior.
Cerbasi, Jennifer. (2012, March 28). How Important is Music Education in Schools. Retrieved
from FOX News: http://www.foxnews.com/health/2012/03/28/how-important-is-musiceducation-in-schools.html
When it comes to school most people think of math, history, science, English, etc. But
what most people dont understand is that music education is just as important as the rest of the
academic courses offered in school. A lot of times music education is over looked because a lot
of the time people do not realize all the benefits that music education can offer. The experience
can be as simple as a hand clapping game with a partner, or as complex as a four-part canon, but
the result is the same- an improvement in emotional well-being and enhanced sensitivity to the
needs of others (Cerbasi, 2014). Participating in music education programs in school can help
improve a students social skills. In this way, music programs, especially those focused on

Merithew 2
making music, play an essential role in the development of social skills and emotional awareness
in other students (Cerbasi, 2014). This article is relevant to the research because it explains the
benefits that music education can have on a students performance in academic classes and on
how they interact with others.

Flannigan, D. (2015, April 1). Students thoughts on listening to music in school. Retrieved from
Daily Herald: http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20130509/submitted/130509837/
Listening to music during classes, to teachers, may seem like a distraction, and to a few
students it can be, but for others it can help them focus and stay on task. Music has been shown
to help kids with ADD/ADHD to concentrate on the work that is in front of them and keeping
their minds off of distractions (Flannigan, 2015). Contrary to popular belief, listening to music
in school can help reduce the amount of talking amongst students during class time. Music
keeps the environment you are working in quieter because if everyone is listening to music they
wont have time to talk to one another and create distractions (Flannigan, 2015). This article is
relevant to the research because it shows how having music in schools can help to improve a
students academic performance in class and to help them keep focus.