Music Curriculum
Music is fundamental to human expression, reflecting values and cultures throughout the world since the beginning of civilization. Music is one area of education, which is involved with the whole child and is important for developing self-esteem and personal expression. General music touches other areas of formal study and includes integration with math, physics, social studies, culture, history, language, poetry, linguistics, physical coordination as well as developing skills in basic music reading and listening.
Students enter school with a wide range of aptitudes, experiences, and skills. Therefore, the elementary music program focuses on developing the individual and providing a curriculum with opportunities for all students to develop the following:
1. Listening and performance skills
2. Vocabulary, analytical, and cognitive skills
3. Fine and gross motor coordination
4. Appreciation for musical styles and expression of culture
5. Ability to work as a group member, musical discipline
6. Skills to use music for personal expression
7. Enjoy and develop an appreciation for a variety of musical styles and develop respect for live performance
As students progress, the previous year’s skills are reviewed and further developed. Grade 3 provides the formal introduction to instrumental music via recorder. This year also develops note reading and vocabulary, which is further, developed in grades 4, 5, and 6. As students reach these upper grades, they will be held accountable for mastery of vocabulary and reading skills in music. By the end of grade 6, students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate an awareness of music as part of everyday life
2. Recognize that music reflects nationality, culture, and values
3. Enjoy music through singing, playing instruments, movement activities, and listening
4. Develop cognitive grade level skills in the basic elements of music, including vocabulary and note reading
5. Use music as means of personal expression
Students are evaluated through grade level objectives that are evaluated through observation of student performance in class. This may include oral and aural response, occasional written testing, and reports or projects.
This curriculum is a minimum standard by which all students participating in Instrumental Music will have progressed by the end of each grade level. Not all students will have instant success so persistence is the key. The program to be fully effective should be a yearlong commitment. A child does not need to possess some special talent to achieve success at a musical instrument. The key is dedication, which entails consistent practice.