What will My Child Learn?
Students grades K-2 graders will build their musical skills through an active, hands-on approach. Our music room is a place where students are encouraged to participate, create, explore, and work together.
Throughout the year, students will:
Strengthen their understanding of steady beat and rhythm
Read, perform, and create simple rhythm patterns
Explore melody, pitch, tempo, dynamics, and musical form
Develop healthy and confident singing voices
Play xylophones, metallophones, glockenspiels, and classroom percussion instruments
Use movement, games, and body percussion to experience musical concepts
Practice listening, following a conductor, and performing as an ensemble
Begin making their own musical choices through improvisation and composition
Listen to and explore music from different cultures, traditions, and styles
Most importantly, I want students to feel successful and excited about making music. We will learn through singing, movement, instruments, games, and lots of opportunities to create!
Third grade is a wonderful year because students begin building on their foundational music skills while becoming more independent and confident musicians.
Throughout the year, students will have opportunities to sing, move, play instruments, create, and perform. Some of the skills we will work on include:
Reading and performing increasingly complex rhythm patterns
Developing an understanding of melody, pitch, tempo, dynamics, and musical form
Strengthening healthy and confident singing voices
Playing xylophones, metallophones, glockenspiels, and classroom percussion instruments
Performing music together as an ensemble
Using movement and body percussion to explore musical concepts
Creating music through improvisation and composition
Developing music-reading and listening skills
Exploring music from a variety of cultures, traditions, styles, and time periods
One of my biggest goals is for students to know that music isn't just something we listen to—it's something they can create and experience themselves. I want our music room to be a place where students feel comfortable trying something new, being creative, and discovering their own musical abilities.
Fourth grade is an especially exciting year in music because we will begin learning to play the recorder!
Throughout the year, students will continue developing their skills as independent musicians. Some of what we will explore includes:
Reading and performing more complex rhythms and melodies
Developing music-reading skills and learning to read notes on the treble clef
Singing and performing music from a variety of styles and traditions
Playing xylophones, metallophones, glockenspiels, and percussion instruments
Creating music through improvisation and composition
Performing together as an ensemble
Exploring musical concepts such as tempo, dynamics, form, and expression
Developing listening skills and learning about music from different cultures and time periods
5th Grade
your students and help them grow as confident, creative, and enthusiastic musicians
This year students will learn to play the ukulele!.
This year in 5th grade music, students will explore:
Singing and performing with healthy vocal techniques
Rhythm, melody, harmony, and musical notation
Playing classroom instruments and creating music
Listening to and analyzing a variety of musical styles and cultures
Music history, composers, and the role of music in our world
Preparing and performing music both individually and as an ensemble
Creativity, collaboration, and making musical choices
Throughout the year, students will have opportunities to create, perform, listen, and respond to music while building skills they can carry with them for years to come.
6th Grade
Throughout the year, students will experience music in a variety of ways, including:
Music Performance – Developing skills through singing and playing classroom instruments
Piano & Keyboard Skills – Learning basic keyboard technique, notes, chords, and simple songs
Guitar – Learning basic chords, strumming patterns, and ensemble playing
Rhythm & Music Reading – Strengthening the ability to read and perform rhythms and melodies
Music Theory – Understanding notes, scales, chords, musical form, and other elements of music
Composition & Creativity – Creating original rhythms, melodies, and musical projects
Music History & Appreciation – Exploring composers, genres, musical styles, and the role music plays in our culture
Ensemble Skills – Learning how to listen, collaborate, rehearse, and perform successfully as a group
Students do not need previous musical experience to be successful. My goal is for every student to become a more confident and independent musician.
As students at a Catholic school, an important part of our music education is understanding how music helps us pray, worship, and participate in the life of the Church.
Students will learn and practice Catholic hymns, Mass responses, and other liturgical music used during our school Masses and celebrations. We will discuss the purpose of sacred music and how music supports the different parts of the liturgy.
Because our students help lead and participate in worship as a school community, they will be expected to:
Learn the music being prepared for school Masses.
Participate appropriately in singing during Mass.
Demonstrate respectful and reverent behavior during liturgies and rehearsals.
Understand that participation in our school Masses and liturgical celebrations is an important part of attending St. Mark Catholic School.
Our goal is not simply to know the music, but to understand that using our voices and musical gifts is one way we can actively participate in worship and serve our school and faith community.