The following principles are the foundation of the Orff teaching method:

➢ All music learning begins with the ear and continues with motor/eye learning.
➢ Music skills are first expressed throughout the body and the voice; instruments are viewed as an extension of these.
➢ Meaning must be brought to symbols. Students need experience in hearing, naming, and producing musical sounds before symbolization is introduced.
➢ At the heart of all this is improvisation – the instinct children have to create their own melodies, poems, and movement, and to explore their imaginations.

Other characteristics of the general music program throughout the K-5 curriculum include:

• All students are involved in activities that represent a wide range of musical processes. These include all focus areas: moving, speaking/singing, listening, playing (pitched and non-pitched percussion, barred instruments (xylophones, metallophones, glockenspiels, recorder), reading/notating, and creating/improvising.

• The program is characterized by a layered elemental ensemble approach. This begins with speech, movement, and song and extends to non-pitched percussion, barred instruments, and more sophisticated forms and arrangements.

• Hand signals and devised “iconic” notation are used as a bridge to traditional notation in the primary grades; the soprano recorder is used as the primary tool to support the music reading experience in Grades 4 and 5.

• Planning reflects the use of multiple essential experiences in every lesson. Program decisions are based on the ongoing assessment of students as they participate in musical activities.

• Lessons and activities are differentiated and adapted for individual learning differences. Alert to coordination differences among students, I modify instrument parts when necessary to assure success. Every child experiences a high degree of success in both classroom demonstrations and ensemble experiences.

• The elementary music program functions as a part of the total educational program at Scroggs. As the music specialist, I integrate appropriate academic content to reinforce continuity in student learning.

• The music program provides opportunities for students to demonstrate their skills and abilities. The music accomplishments of students are celebrated and presented to the school and the community.

Here at Scroggs, your child will attend one music class a week. Kindergarten and First Grade classes are forty-minute periods, and Second through Fifth are fifty-minute classes. Fifth Grade students are invited to participate in an additional Chorus experience, which meets during the school day and performs for the school and the community. In May, you won't want to miss our annual all-school performance we fondly call "FROG FEST". Every child performs in this festival showcasing Music, Dance (P.E.), Art, and Spanish.

I have included the current year's Music Schedule. Please don’t hesitate to contact me at school with any questions, ideas, or concerns. I am happy to invite you to observe your child’s music class. You are welcome to simply drop in, but sending a quick email or making a phone call is always appreciated. Special school events sometimes mean students don’t attend specials, so contacting me ahead of time ensures you won’t show up to find music has been canceled that day. I am looking forward to another great year in the Music Room! Thank you for the opportunity to work with your precious children. It is truly a pleasure to create music with them here at Mary Scroggs Elementary.