The Evaluation of Third-Grade Music Lessons and Student Writing Skills with Student Diaries

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the case of reaching the outcomes of music lessons and the development of written expression skills with student diaries. Document review technique as a part of qualitative research design was used and purposeful sampling was applied. Thirty students studying in third grade during the 2013–2014 academic year participated in the research. The participants were asked to keep a diary for 8 weeks in relation to the outcomes covered at the music lesson. Student diaries were examined based on content analysis and written expression skill was evaluated with rubrics prepared in connection with the outcomes. It was found that students developed their written expression skill in their diaries after the activities and they used the terms related to music in an appropriate way, while expressing the knowledge and skills they acquired during treatment. Student diaries can be used for all lessons, especially in primary schools. Keywords: Student diary, music education, writing skills, third grade;