How often do music classes meet?
K4: Music class once per week; 30 minute class
K5 and 1st Grade: Music class twice per week; 30 minute classes
2nd and 3rd Grade: Music class twice per week; 35 minute classes
4th and 5th Grade: Music class twice per week; 40 minute classes
6th, 7th, 8th Grade: Music class once per week; 45 minute class
When are the performances?
All students perform in concerts twice per year. The annual Advent Concert is held in early/mid-December, and the Spring Concert is held in early/mid-May. Concerts are a combination of vocal singing, instrumental performance, and informance to showcase and highlight curriculum objectives.
Are concerts graded? What if we can't go?
Concert performance is part of the music curriculum at St. Charles School, which aligns with the music requirements implemented by the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. Concerts are graded as a cumulative assessment for the conclusion of each corresponding performance unit, and therefore are a required part of music class. It is expected that all students attend both concerts each year. Students who are unable to attend will be offered an alternate written assignment that is worth the same amount of points as the concert performance grade.
How does grading work?
4K and 5K do not receive a standalone music grade; feedback and assessment is inclusive and collaborative with homeroom teachers' semester report cards.
Grades 1 through 5 use standards-based grading in trimesters.
Grades 6 through 8 are graded in trimesters using a traditional grading scale based on percentages and letter grades.
What does each music class period look like?
Each class follows a class routine so we know what to expect and what we’ll accomplish each day during music time. Specific plans for the day that follow these routines are written on the classroom white board.
K4, K5, 1st:
1. Welcome
2. Prayer
3. Rhythm and Reading
4. Today’s Unit Objective
5. Dance or Play
6. Learning in Line
2nd, 3rd, 4th:
1. Welcome
2. Musician’s Prayer
3. Review
4. Today’s Unit Objective
5. Interactive Play- Games or Instruments
6. Learning in Line
5th, 6th, 7th, 8th:
1. Welcome
2. Student Musician Prayer
3. Starter Song
4. Today’s Unit Objective
5. Interactive Play- Games or Instruments
6. Dismissal