Synthesizing school curriculum and song: a practice-led model for creating educational songs for children - Dataset

This practice-led research project investigates the process of creating subject-based songs for U.S. elementary and middle school students as an accessible medium for acquiring content knowledge and vocabulary. While considerable research has been conducted that shows that song enhances engagement, learning and retention, there is little current exploration of the process of creating educational songs. This exegesis discusses the use of song in the elementary and middle school classroom, then investigates and chronicles the process of developing subject specific songs, accompanied by embedded contextualising information. The methodology interweaves the commentary model and an annotated portfolio approach with a theoretical framework based on Wallas’s (1926/2014) theory of creativity. This exegesis accompanies two creative artefacts: a series of 33 original songs, and a brief guide for teachers on how to create songs for, or in collaboration with their classes. The study aims to contribute to the body of knowledge about an under-researched area, the creation of educational song, by presenting an in-depth investigation into the praxis of creating age-appropriate pedagogic song materials for children using U.S. learning standards.