Effects of Songs on Pupils Achievement and Retention in Some Primary School Mathematics

Abstract

This study was a quasi - experimental research designed to investigate the effects of songs on pupils achievement and retention in some primary school mathematics. The study also sought to find out if any particular gender benefits more in learning through the use of songs. Specifically, the study was a non- equivalent control group design. Four research questions and three hypotheses were used as a guide in the study. The population for the study comprised all the 1,084 pupils in the senior primary classes of primary schools in Surulere local government area of Lagos State. Forty pupils were used for the study. Mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions while the analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was use to test the null hypothesis ,at the 0.05 level of significance. The result of the study revealed, among others, that songs can be composed for the teaching and learning of primary school mathematics, and the mean performance of pupils taught with songs was significantly higher than that of those taught without songs in both the achievement and retention test. Based on the result of the study, it was recommended among others, that the federal and state ministries of education, and professional association should organize workshops for primary school teachers use of songs in teaching primary school mathematics.