Unit Breakdown
The K4 and K5 curriculum contains multiple mini-units per semester that are centered in our learning objectives and curriculum standards. 1st through 8th grade completes 6 primary units in music class per year, with 2 primary units per trimester. There is overlap during some units due to the length and density that our performance units require.
Secondary Units
Secondary units are integrated into the curriculum and completed in conjunction with primary units. Some are seasonal or isolated units, but most secondary units are ongoing throughout the entire school year. These are modified for each grade level so that each secondary unit is content-specific as the grade level and curriculum calls for.
The secondary units which are ongoing throughout the whole school year for each grade are:
Music Theory: Notes, Values, Rests
Beatkeeping and Rhythm
Movement and Music (Kinesthetic, Aural, Visual)
Music Listening and Analysis
Vocal Production, Breath Support, Posture, and Singing
Scale Tones and Solfege
Reading Notation- Symbols, Notes, Road Maps
Reading, Writing, Singing, and Playing in Treble Clef and Bass Clef
Primary Units
Primary units are the same for each grade level in 1st through 8th, containing grade-specific content as is appropriate for the St. Charles curriculum and Archdiocesan standards.
Units break down for the year as follows:
Unit 1:
September, October
Primary Unit: Back to School Music and Review
Activities:
Ice Breaker Games and Activities
Review Games and Activities
Confidence Builders
Instrument Playing
Unit 2:
October, November
Primary Unit: Foundations of Music Theory and Appreciation
Activities:
Notes, Rhythms, Rests, Values
Use paper and white boards
Use MusicPlay
Musical Form
Musical Styles and Genres
Integrated Seasonal Secondary Units:
Halloween
Thanksgiving
End of Trimester 1
Unit 3:
October, November, December
Primary Unit: Advent Concert Preparation
Activities:
Song Selection: Listening and Sight Reading
Performance Preparation
Integrated Seasonal Secondary Units:
Advent
Christmas
Unit 4:
January, February
Primary Unit: Instruments and Group Composition
Activities:
Instruments of the Orchestra
Hands On: Instrument Techniques and Applications
Group Work with Instruments and Creating Music
Integrated Seasonal Secondary Units:
Winter
Lent
End of Trimester 2
Unit 5:
March, April, May
Primary Unit: Spring Concert Preparation
Activities:
Song Selection: Listening and Sight Reading
Performance Preparation
Integrated Seasonal Secondary Units:
Easter
Spring
Unit 6:
May, June
Primary Unit: Music in Storytelling
Activities:
Learn about musical theater, soundtracks, and music as various tools in stories
Learn about, listen to, and sing songs that are part of storytelling
How can music work with other elements to create performance magic?
Study 1 musical story per grade
Integrated Seasonal Secondary Units:
Outdoor Movement: Music Games and Dances