Christina Bourne

Bourne’s innovative teaching idea, “Connecting Music and Literacy,” is focused on utilizing barred instruments, like a xylophone, and children’s literature to improve student achievement in the areas of reading and composition. The use of barred instruments in conjunction with literature will help reinforce key skills that are crucial for reading fluency. When playing these instruments, the students will learn to play left to right. This action reinforces the method in which humans learn to read text through the movement on the instrument. The program is designed to help improve students’ reading skills by crossing the midline of their body to play the notes on the instruments. This action of crossing the midline helps the brain make connections from one side of the body to the other. Bourne hopes this program will help improve reading and comprehension scores across the elementary school.