The Effects of the Content of Subjects, etc., in the Development of Physical Expression Seen During a Cross-Curriculum Practicum Combining Music, Physical Education, and Athletic Meets

Abstract

  This study aims to clarify the effects of the content of each subject, etc., on the development process of physical expression in children in a cross-curriculum practicum that combines music, physical education, and athletic meets. First, this paper defines expression, relying on Dewey's theory of expression. Next, the paper derives a perspective for cross-curriculum class composition combining music, physical education, and athletic meets. This focuses on expression, develops a concept of research practice, and puts it into practice. Then the results of the analysis were interpreted to learn the effects of the content of each subject, etc., on the development process of physical expression in the sampled children.

  The paper concludes that what the sample children perceived/sensed in the music class affected their formation of mental images of what they wanted to express. In physical education, efforts were made to improve body movements based on the mental images of what they wanted to express. Moreover, the segmentation of their mental images was affected. Furthermore, modifying body movements based on the segmented mental images worked to promote perception/sensation of various musical elements. At athletic meets, awareness of others encouraged efforts at expression using the whole body with a consciousness of various elements of music. This resulted in creating dynamic physical expressions.