Effect of using songs to teach junior secondary mathematics

Abstract

Singing songs is part of human everyday lifestyle, they can easily be recalled and thereafter affect other aspects of human life. The studyexamined the effect of songs application in teaching junior secondary mathematics. The junior secondary level being the intermediateand upper basic level of education where learners are prepared for the serious academic rigour of the post-basic or senior secondary levelin Nigeria require the introduction of more learner-centred, learner-friendly and activity-based methods. Teaching Mathematics with useof songs will be one of such methods. The study employed the pre- test, post-test, quasi experimental design. Using purposive samplingtechnique, one hundred and twenty (120) junior secondary students from two public secondary schools were selected for the sample.Three hypotheses were formulated and tested. Two instruments, procedural and main instrument, were used. The data collected were analyzedusing analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). The result of the study revealed that there was a significant effect of songs on the academicachievement of students in Mathematics and it was recommended that teachers should be encouraged to adopt songs composed duringteaching since their use sustains students’ interest and retention.