Primary music education is broadly a process based on the principle of learning by experiencing and practicing. While students are studying the outcomes and concepts related with music lesson which is one of the favorite lessons for students, they can practice by using written expression skills. In this respect student diary is one of the assessment tools that can be used by music teachers. Student is evaluated in a natural way as a part of learning not in a separate way from learning. At this point student diary can be used as an assessment instrument for reflecting both the concepts and earned skills at music lesson and their impressions and feelings at this process, also for sharing ideas and developing written expression skills.

Aim of the research

This study aims to evaluate the case of reaching the outcomes of music lesson and the development of written expression skills with student diary at third grade music lesson.

Method

Research is designed in a qualitative manner. Document review technique as a part of qualitative research design was used and purposeful sampling was applied. 30 students studying at third grade at 2013-2014 academic year participated in the research. Participants were asked to keep a diary for 8 weeks in relation with the outcomes covered at the music lesson which is instructed according to various outcomes. Treatment was restricted with 5 main themes; “during making music together”, “short and long sound with rhythm instrument”, “tunes in different rhythmic constructs”, “music, words and motion” and “music and dance” and 8 Lessons were instructed by the primary/elementary teacher with the guidance of first researcher. With the aim of defining the level of reaching the outcomes of music lesson, student diaries were examined with the use of content analysis. Written expression skill is evaluated with rubric prepared in connection with outcomes.

Results and suggestions

It is found that students developed their written expression skill at the diaries kept by students after the activities. At the same time it is identified that students used the terms related with music in an appropriate way while expressing the knowledge and skills they acquired during treatment. Student diary can be used at all lessons especially at primary schools.

Keywords: Student diary, music education, writing skills