A Proposal for Strengthening Music Education in Grades 1–2 of Elementary School: Focusing on t he I mprovement o f the Current I ntegrated Curriculum T extbooks

This study aims to propose directions for improving the textbook to strengthen music education in the 2022 revised elementary integrated curriculum, ‘Pleasant life’. To achieve this, the study analyzes the current music education content in the ‘Pleasant life’ textbook and examines its connection with the music textbook for third and fourth graders. The findings indicate that music concept learning in ‘Pleasant life’ is not systematically structured, and the lack of fundamental music element instruction results in a disconnect in music learning at the third and fourth-grade levels. Additionally, music activities are predominantly focused on singing, with an emphasis on play-based activities rather than structured music concept learning, making it difficult for students to engagein deeper learning. Therefore, this study suggests improvements such as incorporating fundamental music concept learning, diversifying music activities, and enhancing the notation system and textbook structure to strengthen continuity with the third and fourth-grade curriculum. The results of this study can serve as a foundational resource for future revisions of the ‘Pleasant life’ textbook and the development of a new music education curriculum.