WALPOLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
MUSIC
GRADES K-5
Curriculum Summary by Grade
These curriculum summaries have been developed by teachers and administrators to serve as another way of communicating with parents. They highlight the core curriculum and expectations for student learning at each grade level.
The curriculum summaries describe what most students at a grade level are expected to know and be able to do by the end of the school year. They also reflect the goals of the various Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks. It is important to note that although children may learn and grow at different rates and through varied styles, all should make regular progress.
While we have high expectations for all students and encourage each student to work to their capacity, parents and teachers recognize that some students have more difficulty in school. Others will progress more rapidly and move well beyond these core expectations. It is the joint responsibility of school and home to provide support, challenge, and encouragement for all students.
Grade K
Students identify music in their world, and their ability to create, perform, and respond as musicians. Students develop awareness of basic elements of music and identify those elements through singing, playing, and moving.
Students will
sing short musical ideas.
respond to music with a steady beat.
perform using the correct voice (Sing/Speak/Whisper/Shout).
describe music using grade level vocabulary.
follow simple rhythmic patterns.
perform different musical element opposites (fast/slow, soft/loud, high/low).
Grade 1
Students develop awareness of the essential elements of music needed to create and understand music. Students identify the ways that the elements of music can help them express artistic intent in musical performance and composition.
Students will
create and improvise short, original, musical ideas.
individually sing and play simple phrases following iconic notation (quarter note, paired eighth note, quarter rest, So La and Mi).
identify basic elements in familiar songs (presto/largo, forte/piano, rhythm, melody).
identify basic elements in familiar songs (faster/slower, louder/softer, rhythm, melody).
Grade 2
Students will be able to use a more in-depth knowledge of musical elements to analyze musical examples, perform individually and as an ensemble, and to compose music. Students will be able to use various forms of iconic notation to read and write down their musical ideas.
Students will
create and improvise short, original, musical ideas.
individually sing and play simple phrases following iconic notation (Half Note, Half Rest, Do and Re).
identify basic elements in familiar songs (tempi, dynamics, rhythm vs. steady beat, melody).
Grade 3
Students will be able to apply their musical knowledge and skills to perform on the recorder properly and musically. Students will be able to understand how sound is produced using different voices and instruments.
Students will
create and improvise short songs and rhythmic patterns on the recorder.
individually sing, play and read simple phrases following basic standard notation (Sixteenth note, whole note, Pentatonic Scale).
play G-A-B-C' on the recorder with proper playing technique and quality tone.
Grade 4
Students should experience music from many different cultures and be able to compare and contrast the use of different musical elements that makes each culture’s music unique. Students will be able to collaborate and work independently to compose their own musical ideas using different groupings of voices and instruments, and perform musical ideas individually and as a group.
Students will
create and improvise songs with multiple notes and grade-level rhythm patterns.
individually, sing, play and read simple phrases following basic standard notation (dotted half note, whole rest, syn - co - pa, Do’, Fa).
play D,-E-F#-G-A-B-C’-D’ on the recorder with proper playing technique and tone quality.
Grade 5
Students use notation to record and refine artistic ideas. Students evaluate performances and compositions to refine original work. Students should be able to select repertoire that represents their artistic preference from their time in elementary school, and reflect on what they are most excited to learn in the future as young musicians.
Students wil
create original simple melodic ideas using standard notation in their choice of a variety of scales and rhythmic patterns.
perform harmony and melody on the ukulele using correct playing technique and tone quality.
reflect on their musical experiences and identify their artistic preferences.
identify knowledge and skills they possess, and goals they wish to accomplish as musicians in the future.
Contacts
Brendan Dearborn, Boyden School Principal
Carrie Ruggiero, Elm Street School Principal
Brian Bemiss, Fisher School Principal
David Barner, Old Post Road School Principal