K-8 Music

"A music room is a place where creativity, community and diversity are embraced and encouraged. We hope that every student leaves the room feeling their voice matters and they are an essential part of the ensemble."

Curriculum overview

Our K–8 music curriculum is designed to cultivate a lifelong appreciation and understanding of music through a comprehensive, inclusive, and student-centered approach. Grounded in the principles of deeper learning and aligned with the National Standards for Music Education, the curriculum emphasizes critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, and real-world connections, ensuring that all students—regardless of background, ability, or prior experience—have equitable access to meaningful music education across all of our WRSD schools.

Core Goals:

Musical Literacy: Students build foundational skills in rhythm, melody, harmony, form, and expressive elements through active music-making, listening, and analysis.
Creative Expression: Opportunities for composition, improvisation, and performance support students in developing their musical voice.
Cultural Relevance & Inclusion: The curriculum features a diverse repertoire reflecting global musical traditions and contemporary genres, helping students connect with music in culturally responsive ways.
Critical Thinking & Reflection: Students learn to evaluate musical works and performances using musical vocabulary, fostering a deeper understanding of artistic intention and interpretation.
Collaboration & Communication: Group projects, ensembles, and peer feedback cultivate social-emotional learning and teamwork.
Technology Integration: Accessible music technology tools support learners of all abilities and enhance engagement and creativity.

MusicPlayOnline is our K-8 virtual curriculum resource, providing all schools with grade level learning objectives and benchmarks. Below find MusicPlayOnline "What We Learn" K-8 grade level outlines.

Explore MusicPlayOnline with your WRSD student.

Step 1: Navigate to https://musicplayonline.com/

Step 2: Click on "student"

Step 3: Enter WRSD access code r454490

The National Standards for Music Education were developed by the National Association for Music Education (NAfME). In each WRSD Elementary & Middle school music classroom, our team strives to expose students to the following learning objectives by grade 8:

① Singing, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music.
② Performing on instruments, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music.
③ Improvising melodies, variations, and accompaniments.
④ Composing and arranging music within specified guidelines.
⑤ Reading and notating music.
⑥ Listening to, analyzing, and describing music.
⑦ Evaluating music and music performances.
⑧ Understanding relationships between music, the other arts, and disciplines outside the arts.
⑨ Understanding music in relation to history and culture.