The purpose of this study was to investigate whether or not there was a meaurable difference in learning and retention of spelling words among group of children who were exposed to three different teaching methods. A further purpose was to investigate...
The purpose of this study was to investigate whether or not there was a meaurable difference in learning and retention of spelling words among group of children who were exposed to three different teaching methods. A further purpose was to investigate whether the effects of the methods wiuld be measurably different for two age groups : third(N=60) and fifth graders(N=60). A two factor repeated measures design was used to investigate these researchable questions. The first factor of the design was a three level manipulated treatment variable : Groups had spelling only : Group II had regulated movement and spelling : Group III consisted of creative dance movement and spelling.
In the study there were three major hypotheses. First : children exposed to a creative dance movement activity which integrated physical movement and creative dance movement will have higher mean test scores than children who were exposed to no movement activity or to regulated movement activity unrelated to spelling instruction, Second : Third graders test scores in spelling will have no different effect size that of fifth graders who are learning spelling under the same condition. Third : children taught spelling using the creative dance movement approach will have no different scores on retention test at four week intervals, when compared to those of the regulated movement and no movement grouts. Data did not supported. Children exposed to a creative dance movement activity was higher mean test(spelling and retention) scores than children who were exposed to movement activity or to regulated movement. This is consistent with the work of Gilbert(1979) which indicate that creative dance can help develop and promote basic concepts and mental characteristics which are considered important to intellectual functioning. This study has given a model for future research and has given further credibility to the idea that "normal" children can benifit from an integrated program of movement activities.