This paper aims to provide an insight to music reading curricula of the 1940s and 1920s. These curricula were selected from textbooks of Silver Burdett Co., Ginn and Co., and American Book Co. In the 1920s music reading was taught chiefly through Singing and Exercises, and correct singing and correct pitch memorizing were emphasized. However it was found that in the 1940s, music reading was taught through a program of five activities viz. Singing, Listening, Motion to Music, Playing an instrument, and Creative activity. The elements of the music were also illustrated concretely. In addition, all curricula of the 1940s provided reading readiness programs in which consecutive experiences of ear and eye were emphasized. The influence of experientialism was a strong factor in the development of the five activity and reading readiness programs
