GENERAL MUSIC

KINDERGARTEN

Kindergartners explore music through sound and movement. Kindergarten students will sing songs from various styles and cultures; these songs are often accompanied by a game or activity that makes learning even more fun. Students gain experience keeping a steady beat by using body percussion or instruments, or by moving their bodies in response to sung or recorded music. They become familiar with their voices through singing, pitch exploration exercises, and pitch matching games and songs. By hearing their voices alone, students are better able to develop an ear for pitch and recognize whether or not they are matching a given note. Students respond to recorded music by moving appropriately, based on definable elements such as tempo (fast-slow) or volume (loud-soft).

1ST GRADE

GRADE LEVEL PITCHES: Mi, So, La

GRADE LEVEL RHYTHMS: Quarter note (Ta), Eighth notes (ti-ti), Quarter rest

SECOND GRADE

GRADE LEVEL PITCHES: Do, Re, Mi, So, La, high Do

GRADE LEVEL RHYTHMS: Quarter note (Ta), Quarter rest, Eighth notes (ti-ti), half note (two or toe), whole note (4-beat toe).

THIRD GRADE

GRADE LEVEL PITCHES: low So, low La, Do, Re, Mi, So, La, high Do

GRADE LEVEL RHYTHMS: Quarter note (ta), Quarter rest, Eighth notes (ti-ti), half note (two or toe), whole note (4-beat toe), 6/8

FOURTH GRADE

All fourth graders in the Simsbury Public Schools learn to play the recorder. Students must purchase their own recorders and bring them to each music class once recorder study begins, unless told otherwise by their music teacher. Students will be given regular assignments, and are expected to practice at home. An informational letter will be posted in December; recorder study begins in January.

GRADE LEVEL PITCHES: low So, low La, Do, Re, Mi, Fa, So La, high Do

GRADE LEVEL RHYTHMS: Quarter note (ta), Quarter rest, Eighth notes (ti-ti), half note (two or toe), whole note (4-beat toe), Sixteenth notes (tiri-tiri, ti-tiri, tiri-ti)

FIFTH GRADE

GRADE LEVEL PITCHES: Low so - high Do (full scale)

GRADE LEVEL RHYTHMS: Quarter note, Quarter rest, Eighth notes, half note, whole note, sixteenth notes, syncopah

In addition to general music practices, fifth graders add choral training to their repertoire. Students learn proper choral singing technique (breathing from the diaphragm, using proper posture, etc.) and prepare choral arrangements of songs from various cultures, time periods, and styles.

SIXTH GRADE

GRADE LEVEL PITCHES: Reinforce those learned in fifth grade, with more complicated music to read

GRADE LEVEL RHYTHMS: Reinforce those learned in fifth grade, with more complex patterns