Exploring Brain-based Learning Curriculum in Beginning Band: An Action Research Pilot Study

Dr. Ruth Smilkstein’s brain-based curriculum theory, We're Born to Learn: Using the Brain's Natural Learning Process to Create Today's Curriculum, was implemented in an action research pilot study to promote student motivation and musical agency in a beginning wind band program. Three key stages of the curriculum theory were used to create a simple, cooperative improvisational activity for a Grade 5 wind band class. Informal inquiry results showed that using brain-based curriculum was easy to include in a traditional instrumental setting, and that all students, including students with exceptionalities, were positive about participating in further research-based lessons. The pilot study will be re-created to satisfy the state assessment requirement of implementing research in pre-service,student teachingcontexts.