This study explored the impact of involvement in an elementary school arts curriculum upon reading achievement. The researcher designed and implemented an elementary school arts program that was integrated into the reading program. Quantitative data was obtained from paired student's t-Tests to explore the effect of the integration of arts curriculum on reading grades for pupils from kindergarten through sixth grade. The school-wide sampling of students increased its average reading grades from 2.93 to 3.04 on a four-point scale. Additionally, a quantitative study was conducted comparing the reading grades of fifth and sixth grade pupils who participated in an after school Art Club activity with the grades of pupils who did not participate in the Art Club activity. The average reading grades of Art Club students were 3.26 compared to the 2.71 grades (also, on a four-point scale) of the non-Art Club members. Finally, in order to investigate the affective impact of the Art Club programs, qualitative data was gathered through questionnaires and analyzed. This qualitative study reported 50% of the students in fifth and sixth grade registered for and attended the after school art activity. The students overwhelmingly expressed their enjoyment of experiencing creative processes and of having gained self-confidence. The study culminated in discussion and implications for improved educational practice by integrating the arts into the core curriculum.
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